Relocating with your Pet can be challenging if you are not prepared for this in advance. It’s always better to know the import rules and regulations of the country you are moving into. In this post, we are going to discuss the rules and regulations for import of pets into India.
- Under the Import of Pet Under Baggage Rule, no animals other than cats and dogs are considered pets. Other animals and species including birds, reptiles, mammals, etc. can only be imported through air cargo, provided the importer holds an Import License issued by DGFT (Director General of Foreign Trade). Animals that are proposed to be imported into India should also not have been classified as endangered by the Government.
- Import of pets (dog and cat only) up to two numbers per passenger are allowed at one time subject to production of required health certificate from country of origin and examination of the said pets by the concerned quarantine officer.
- Imports of more than 2 pets are allowed only against an Import sanitary permit issued by the Department of Animal Husbandry and dairying or against an import license issued by the DGFT (Director General of Foreign Trade).
Documents / Check list required to bring a pet (Dogs & Cats) along with Application Form –
- * Accompanied Baggage: Ticket of the owner
* Unaccompanied Baggage: Within 1 month after the arrival of the owner- a copy of the Passport along with an immigration stamp. Requirement of advance Custom permission: For owners sending the pet more than 1 month after their arrival or before arrival.For all above: Required– Visa copy/other documents to establish continuous stay abroad for at least two years with proof of transferring the residence to India. In case of doubt/procedural requirement, advance Custom Permission may be asked to consider the pet under Baggage rule.
- Dog: The official health certificate from the country of origin certifying that the dog is free from clinical signs and symptoms of all infectious and contagious diseases including Rabies, Canine Distemper, Parvovirus infection, Leptospirosis etc.
Cat: The official health certificate from the country of origin certifying that the cat is free from clinical signs and symptoms of all infectious and contagious diseases including Rabies, Distemper, Feline enteritis, Feline panleukopenia, leptospirosis etc. - The dog (three months of age and older) and Cat must be vaccinated against Rabies for more than one month, but within 12 months prior to actual embarkation and all details shall be officially certified or mentioned in the official Health certificate.
- The name of the owner in the official health certificate must match with the name as mentioned in the ticket of the owner to establish ownership.
- The name and address of the owner in the country of origin and in the country of arrival (import) must be mentioned on the health certificate.
- The declaration from the owner that the dog/cat is a bonafide pet with no commercial interest, gift and breeding purpose.
- Copy of airway bill/journey details of pet/Bill of entry with custom (If coming under cargo).
- Any other document if required during the examination of the application.
- Authorization letter if the owner is not approaching directly.
- For cats or dogs entering India for a temporary visit, a License to Import issued by the DGFT in India is required.
- For cats or dogs entering India due to a change in ownership, 30 days of quarantine in an approved quarantine facility in the originating country is required.
- All pets entering into India with their owners must be issued a NO OBJECTION CERTIFICATE (NOC) from the Animal Quarantine Station in India whether accompanied or unaccompanied, prior to entering India. The NOC must be applied for in-person by the owner, owner representative or an agent.
Procedure when Pet arrives in India?
Pet animals can enter India through the ports of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Hyderabad. After arrival owner needs to bring the animal/(s) along with the original health documents to the Quarantine Station after arrival for clinical examination/quarantine observation as the case may be. The animal/(s) will be examined clinically at the Quarantine Station for issuing Provisional Quarantine Clearance Certificate.
Documents required cum check list with Application Form other than Dogs & Cats (IMPORT OF LIVESTOCK (under DGFT Licence/ Sanitary Import Permit) -
- Copy of valid DGFT Licence/Sanitary Import Permit (SIP)
- Bill of entry with Custom reference.
- Official health certificate from the country of origin fulfilling all import health guidelines of India as per the Notification/supplied protocol with license or SIP/AQCS requirement as the case may be. The description of the Livestock product shall be mentioned in the health certificate/certified officially.
- Laboratory Reports (not mandatory in each case).
- The name and address of the owner in the official health certificate must match with the Licence/SIP to establish ownership.
- Undertaking and declarations as per requirement.
- Copy of airway bill/journey details of the animal.
- Any other document if required during the examination of the application.
- Original Health documents are mandatory on arrival for Provisional clearance.
- Authorization letter if the owner is not approaching directly.
Import Procedures for livestock (animals except cats & dogs)
Livestock and Livestock Products are imported as baggage and cargo through Airport/Seaport and ICDs. The said consignments are referred by the customs for Animal Quarantine Clearance in compliance to import Quarantine health rules of the Government of India. The consignments are examined along with the accompanying health certificates and other relevant papers before allowing entry into India.
In case the consignment is not fulfilling the health protocol laid down by the Government of India then appropriate action is taken as per the rules in National Interest. The imported livestock are kept under quarantine for observation and testing as per the prescribed health protocol. The products are also checked and tested accordingly in compliance with the health protocol prescribed by the Government of India.
More details can be read from here – http://www.aqcsindia.gov.in/import-export-of-livestock-and-livestock-products.html
For any support or query on pet import, please write to us at info@expatria.in, our Specialists will be happy to help you out.
