Taking Pets to India from UK
Organising transportation of your pet to India does come with quite a few rules and regulations. Due to some of the processes being time-sensitive, it is recommended to allow plenty of time to make the necessary arrangements. This will help you avoid any potential problems and make the process as smooth as possible for you and your pet.
In this guide, you will find all the relevant and most up to date information required to successfully transport your pets to India from the UK.
Pet Export UK to India
As a pet owner, you are permitted to take up to two pets per person when you enter India with a transfer of residence or you have lived in India for more than two consecutive years.
In addition, as you may expect, in order for your cat or dog to be accepted into India, it must be microchipped with an ISO compliant chip. If your pet does not have an ISO chip, you will need to ensure you bring your own microchip scanner with you.
Flights from the UK to India typically take around 10 hours, which is a long time for your pet to be in a confined space, especially if this is not something they are used to. Therefore, to help significantly reduce their stress levels, it is advisable to also allow enough time to acclimatise your pet to its carrier.
Pet Vaccinations India
Both cats and dogs must be vaccinated against rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entry.
Cats are also required to be immunised against the following feline diseases:
- Feline Enteritis
- Feline Pan Leukopenia
Dogs require the following vaccinations in addition to rabies:
- Canine Distemper
- Parvovirus
- Leptospirosis
- Parainfluenza
- Infectious Canine Hepatitis
- Scabies
- Leishmaniasis
Transporting Pets to India
Pets travelling by air to India from the UK can either be booked in as accompanied excess baggage if you intend to travel on the same flight or alternatively as manifest cargo where they travel as cargo on a separate flight.
Unlike some other countries, you will be pleased to hear that India does not have any restrictions on the dog breeds they allow for import into the country.
Paperwork for Taking Dogs and Cats to India
Export Health Certificates
All cats and dogs travelling to India from the UK require a government endorsed Health Certificate, issued by your veterinarian prior to departure.
Import Permit
Cats and dogs entering India with their owners require a ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC) which is a permit issued in India by the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries. This will be one of the processes that requires some pre-planning as it will need to be arranged prior to travelling. Thankfully, this is one of the many things our India Pet Travel experts can support you with.
Other Animals
In India, only dogs and cats are considered pets. Other animals such as reptiles, rodents and rabbits can be imported if they are not classed as endangered species on the CITIES list. However, they will require a DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) license.
Expert Advice and Support for Pet Travel to India
We understand and appreciate that the process for relocating your pet from the UK to India can seem quite overwhelming. Rest assured, we are here to support you with any concerns or questions and if you require any further clarification, simply contact one of our India pet travel specialists via our online form, sending an email to info@pbspettravel.co.uk or calling us on +44(0)1293 551140.
