Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Pet travel from the U.S. to India
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| USDA Accredited Veterinarian Signature | Electronic Signature Accepted |
| USDA APHIS Veterinary Medical Officer Signature | Digital Endorsement Accepted The health certificate bears digital signature/seal |
Before going to VEHCS: Scroll below this banner to view animal-specific requirements.
USDA Accredited Veterinarians, log in here if you wish to use VEHCS.
USDA Accredited Veterinarians, help with using VEHCS is available on the VEHCS Help Page. To walk yourself through issuing a health certificate in VEHCS, click here.
NOTE: The printed paper endorsed health certificate must accompany each shipment. USDA Accredited Veterinarians can print the health certificate from VEHCS once it is endorsed.
- - A L E R T - -
Effective July 14, 2021, the CDC temporarily suspended (stopped) dog imports from countries classified as high-risk for rabies. Effective December 1, 2021, the CDC updated its requirements to allow certain U.S origin dogs returning to the U.S with their owner to be imported from countries classified as high-risk for rabies if the pet meets specific requirements. Learn more on CDC.gov.
Negative COVID-19 test result (RT-PCR) within 7 days before export to India.
OR
Additional certification/attestation from the official veterinarian of the exporting country that as per the available facts/records, the pet cat (domestic- Felis catus) has not been residing or in contact with positive COVID-19 human or animal within 14 days before shipping and showing no symptom of respiratory illness. Please use the annex found HERE
India's website for pet import regulations can be found here
The requirements for traveling with your pet are described in the health certificate.
A health certificate for dogs or cats can also be generated by the pet's veterinarian through the Veterinary Export Health Certification System (https://pcit.aphis.usda.gov/pcit/). Once the veterinarian logs on to VEHCS and enters the destination country and commodity, VEHCS will walk them through each step to generate the certificate and submit it to APHIS for endorsement.
NOTE: A printed paper copy of the completed health certificate must accompany each shipment.
Quick Reference Guides for the pet's veterinarian can be found HERE
India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) requires all pets temporarily traveling to India to obtain a DGFT license before obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) and traveling. The form used to apply for the DGFT License is called the ANF-2M. Columns 2(i) & (ii), 3(ii), 4, 5, 7, 8 & 9 must be completed prior to submission of the form to India’s Regional Authorities.
The application form and details regarding how to submit it can be found here
Please note: The DGFT license may take about one month for processing.
Pets (dogs & cats) need an NOC document in addition to a valid health certificate. The exporter (pet owner) is responsible for obtaining the NOC from India. USDA APHIS is not involved and does not endorse the NOC.
All pets entering into India must be issued an NOC from the Animal Quarantine and Certification Station (AQCS) in India whether accompanied or manifest, prior to landing into India. People intending on arriving with their pets as accompanied luggage can have an agent apply for this certificate before they enter the country. The NOC can be applied for by mail, fax, or in-person.
The NOC document takes about 5 working days to obtain. Documents required prior to obtaining this document, are:
Procedural Formalities:
Having an in-country representative is preferred to get an NOC from the Quarantine officer before arrival and per the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries (DADF) most of the applicants appoint some in-country representative who works for them. However, if the passenger does not have any contact in India then they can send the original documents via email. In such cases it is recommended to send a copy to DADF & a follow-up phone call is suggested to the specific quarantine station. The DADF stressed that such cases are dealt with on an exceptional basis.
Contact information for AQCS at the different ports can be found by clicking the following links:
On arrival, the Regional Officer/ Quarantine Officer will examine the health of dog/cat, verify the veterinary certificate and vaccination records of imported dog/cat. If the pet(s) is/are free from any clinical illness as well as the documents including veterinary certificate/vaccination records are found in order, the animals imported as pets under accompanied baggage or un-accompanied baggage shall be quarantined for 15 days. If the pet is detected with any signs of clinical illness during quarantine, the period of quarantine may be extended depending on the disease and its severity.
Dogs/cats brought for temporary visits, such as shows, visitors, travelers, therapy, assistance and security purposes, along with masters, shall be exempted from 15 days quarantine period provided the owner of the pet presents required documents:
In such case(s) owner shall furnish the health certificate fulfilling sanitary conditions as above. Also, during the stay in India, the owner shall furnish details of his/her temporary location, phone number etc. so that the quarantine officer may visit the place for verification, if required. The owner of the pet(s) shall be present at the time of entry into India and during his/her return from India at the respective AQCS. This provision is applicable for import up to two pets only. The quarantine officer will prepare a declaration form for this category of animal.
No import of feed or bedding etc. will be allowed along with the dog(s).
For pet travel requirements not listed, APHIS has not been officially informed by the foreign country about the requirements for your pet’s travel. We recommended that you contact a government official of the country you are traveling to for more information.
Country of destination contact information:
Airlines may have separate and additional requirements. Check with your airline to determine what requirements they may have, if any.
Additional information for pet owners, airlines, and others about APHIS endorsement of international health certificates.
Carefully read ALL of the requirements related to your pet on this page.
♦ This page provides the most recent entry requirements and can change without notice.
♦ It is the responsibility of the veterinarian to make sure the pet has met all the health requirements of the destination country before issuing a health certificate.
♦ Failure to meet the requirements may result in problems gaining certificate endorsement or difficulties upon arrival in the destination country.
♦ Health certificates must be legible, accurate, and complete.
Helpful References for Pet Travel
Find your USDA Endorsement Office
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