Pet Travel from the UK to India: Dog & Cat Import Requirements
Travelling with your pet to India from the UK requires structured preparation, correct certification, and careful timing. Below is a clear, practical step-by-step guide covering vaccinations, Export Health Certificates (EHC), pre-export paperwork, NOC applications, declarations, and final travel checks — written to help you avoid delays and last-minute problems.
This guide applies to non-commercial exports of pet dogs and cats from the UK to India.
Timeline Overview – Travelling with Your Pet to India
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2–3 months before travel
Confirm eligibility (Transfer of Residence vs DGFT route) and begin any DGFT import licence application if required
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4–6 weeks before travel
Ensure all vaccinations (especially rabies) are valid and documentation is in order
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1–2 weeks before travel
Apply for the Advance AQCS NOC and finalise travel arrangements
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Within 48–96 hours before travel
Veterinary health certificate issued confirming your pet is fit to travel
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Day of travel
Travel with all original documentation (EHC, vaccination records, NOC, DGFT licence if applicable)
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On arrival in India
AQCS inspection and final clearance at the airport
Pet Travel to India from the UK — Step-by-Step Guide for Dogs & Cats
Step 1 – Confirm Eligibility & Travel Suitability
Before starting the process, it’s important to confirm that your journey qualifies as a permitted pet (non-commercial) import into India.
Common travel scenarios include:
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Transfer of residence to India
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Returning Indian residents
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Temporary visits or holidays
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Re-import of a pet
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Long-term relocation
In most cases, temporary imports require a DGFT Import Authorisation, which must be arranged in advance by the owner or an import agent in India.
Key considerations:
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Your pet must be clinically well and fit for long-haul travel
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If travelling via another country, additional transit documentation may be required
Breed restrictions:
Certain dog breeds are prohibited from import into India, including:
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Pit Bull
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Rottweiler
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Cane Corso
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Akita
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Mastiffs
This restriction also applies to crossbreeds of these types.
Import Pathways for Pets into India
There are three main routes under which pets can be brought into India. The correct pathway depends on your residency status and travel purpose.
1. Transfer of Residence (Baggage Rule)
This is the most straightforward route and applies to owners relocating to India after at least 2 years of continuous stay abroad.
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Maximum of 2 pets (dogs or cats only)
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Pets must travel as accompanied or shortly after as unaccompanied baggage
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Requires:
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Official veterinary health certificate
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Valid rabies vaccination (>30 days and <12 months before travel)
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Proof of residence abroad (visa, passport stamps)
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Advance NOC from AQCS
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Pets must be declared as non-commercial (not for sale, breeding, or transfer)
2. Re-import
Applies when a pet originally from India is being brought back.
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Requires proof of previous export from India (e.g. AQCS certificate)
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New veterinary health certificate from the country of export
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Advance AQCS NOC required
3. DGFT Import Licence (All Other Cases)
If your situation does not meet the Transfer of Residence criteria, a DGFT Import Licence is required.
When is a DGFT Import Licence Required?
This typically applies to:
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Short-term or temporary stays in India (e.g. tourists or visitors)
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Travelling with more than two pets, even if relocating permanently
In these cases, pets are not imported under the baggage rules and instead require formal approval through a DGFT import licence.
Applying for a DGFT Import Licence
To bring a pet into India under this route, an import licence must be obtained from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
Applications are completed online via the DGFT website by navigating to:
Services → Import Management System → Import Authorisation of Restricted Items → Apply for a New Authorisation
Applicants can apply using their own Importer Exporter Code (IEC). If they do not have one, they may apply using the designated IEC for personal imports (IEC No. IIHIE0153E).
The application must be submitted along with the required supporting documentation, and it is strongly recommended to apply at least 2 months in advance of travel.
⚠️ Important: Approval under this route is not guaranteed and is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Step 2 — Ensure your pet is microchipped
Your pet must be identified with an ISO-compliant microchip (ISO 11784/11785).
Your pet should have a working microchip recorded clearly on:
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vaccination records
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laboratory reports (if any)
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Export Health Certificate paperwork
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NOC / AQCS application documents
Consistency of the microchip number across all documents is essential.
Step 3 — Complete vaccinations (start early)
Rabies vaccination (required)
Your pet should have a valid rabies vaccination:
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Given when pet is ≥ 12 weeks old
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given at least 30 days before travel
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typically not more than 12 months old at time of entry (unless otherwise accepted by the destination authority)
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recorded clearly with date, product, and batch details
Routine vaccinations (required)
Dogs and cats should also be up to date with their standard core vaccines well ahead of travel. Spacing vaccines sensibly helps avoid certification disputes and reduces health risk during travel.
Step 4 – Apply for a DGFT Import Licence (If Required)
If your travel does not meet the Transfer of Residence criteria, you will need to apply for a DGFT Import Licence at this stage.
This applies to situations such as temporary stays in India or travelling with more than two pets. As approval can take time and is assessed on a case-by-case basis, it is important to begin this process as early as possible, ideally at least 2 months before travel.
Once obtained, the DGFT licence will be required before progressing with further approvals, including the AQCS No Objection Certificate (NOC).
Step 5 — Request your UK Export Health Certificate (EHC 2910)
Pet travel from the UK to India uses EHC 2910.
Request the certificate through the UK EHC Online system once:
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your travel plan is forming
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vaccination history is ready
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an Official Veterinarian (OV) is arranged
This certificate pack includes:
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the final Export Health Certificate
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a Pre-Export (PX) certificate section used to support India’s NOC application.
Do not leave this step until the last minute — certificate issue timing matters.
Step 6 — Plan your route before booking vet certification
Before booking certification appointments, confirm:
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Intended arrival airport in India
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Exact travel date
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Airline
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Transit countries (if any)
Transit routes can trigger extra certification requirements, so this must be confirmed early.
Approved entry ports typically include:
Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata
Step 7 — Pre-Export (PX) certificate appointment
A first OV appointment is usually arranged roughly about a week before travel to complete the Pre-Export (PX) section of the certificate pack.
At this stage:
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the OV completes and signs all sections that can be certified early
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any time-sensitive sections are marked for later completion
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this PX document supports your Indian No Objection Certificate (NOC) application
This is not the final travel certificate — it is a supporting stage.
Step 8 — Apply for India Advance NOC (AQCS)
At least about 7 days before arrival, the owner or agent applies to the Animal Quarantine & Certification Station (AQCS) in India for an Advance No Objection Certificate (NOC).
Commonly requested documents include:
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vaccination and microchip records
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pre-export / health certificate paperwork (PX section)
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annexure 1.1.1 certificate
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flight details or airway bill
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owner passport copy
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Submit a Bharatkosh payment receipt (here's how to do that)
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required annexure forms (if specified by that AQCS office)
Processing time varies by office, but correctly prepared submissions are often processed quickly.
Step 9 — Owner/exporter declarations (signing step)
Before final certification, the owner/exporter will need to sign written declarations for the Official Veterinarian’s records.
These typically confirm:
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ownership and export intent
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residency/travel history as required
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not under quarantine restriction
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any statements required by the destination authority
These declarations must be signed before the final certificate is issued.
Step 10 — Final clinical examination (within 48 hours of departure)
India requires a final veterinary examination:
Timing: within 48 hours of embarkation
The Official Veterinarian must confirm:
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your pet is clinically healthy
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shows no signs of infectious or contagious disease
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is free from significant external parasites
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is fit to travel
This is the decisive fitness-to-fly certification step.
Step 11 - Airline Requirements & Fit to Fly Certificates
Some airlines may require a Fit to Fly certificate in addition to the Export Health Certificate. As requirements can vary, it is the owner’s responsibility to confirm this directly with the airline and, where relevant, the destination airport.
Airlines may also impose specific conditions relating to crate specifications, breed restrictions, and the number of pets permitted per passenger.
If required, a Fit to Fly certificate can usually be issued alongside your final certification appointment.
Step 12 — Final Export Health Certificate issued
After the final exam:
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the OV completes the final EHC 2910 in full
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signs and stamps the certificate
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prepares the final official paperwork set
Only the final EHC travels with the pet — not the PX draft.
Step 13 — Travel day document pack
Your pet should travel with original documents including:
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Final Export Health Certificate (EHC 2910)
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Rabies and vaccination records
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Microchip documentation
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AQCS Advance NOC
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Flight / airway bill paperwork
Keep copies of everything separately.
