The rules in short
- Dogs and cats only, and up to two per passenger at one time. More than two needs an import sanitary permit from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, or a DGFT import licence.
- A No Objection Certificate (NOC) from an Animal Quarantine and Certification Service (AQCS) station in India is needed in advance; apply at least 15 days before the pet arrives.
- Under the Transfer of Residence rules, two pets can come in as part of your move if you lived abroad for two years or more.
Documents
- Health certificate from a government-approved vet. Dogs must be certified free of Aujeszky’s disease, distemper, rabies, leishmaniasis and leptospirosis; cats free of rabies and distemper.
- Rabies vaccination: given at least 30 days before travel and not more than a year before. If the last shot is older, revaccinate.
- Microchip, recorded on the documents.
- For pets in the hold: copies of your passport, ticket and airway bill.
Which airports
Pets are cleared by quarantine officers at Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata. Fly into one of these, even if you live elsewhere.
Quarantine
Pets from countries with no or low rabies, with up-to-date vaccinations, are usually not quarantined. When quarantine is ordered, it can last from 30 days to three months.
Tips
- A pet relocation company can arrange the NOC and the airline booking; most airlines do not allow pets in the cabin on international flights to India.
- Check the airline’s heat rules: many will not carry pets in the hold in the Indian summer.
- Find a vet and register the pet with your city or housing society soon after you arrive.
Sources: Consulate General of India, San Francisco, Imports of pet animals, and Bangalore Customs, Baggage Rules 2026 FAQ, checked 21 October 2026. Rules change: confirm with AQCS before you fly.
