Ask what it costs to ship a pet to India and most guides give you one range. That’s misleading, because India doesn’t run one process — it runs two. A pet on the non-commercial track needs only the AQCS NOC; a pet on the commercial/DGFT track (which includes tourist and other short-stay visits) adds a licence application with a non-refundable filing fee, customs duty and possible quarantine. Before you budget anything, confirm which track applies to you in our regulations guide.
Category 1: Export Procedures in Vietnam
This is the part of the journey Daisy prepares in Vietnam. In our quotes for India in 2025–2026, the Vietnam export procedures came to about USD 375–550 per pet, depending on what the pet already had in place.
| What the export procedures cover | Notes |
|---|---|
| Veterinary health inspection and export health certificate | Final certificate issued within 10 days of arrival in India, DAH-endorsed |
| Internal and external parasite treatment | Standard for every pet leaving Vietnam with Daisy |
| Fit-to-Fly certificate and supplementary forms | Required by airlines and the Indian health annexure |
| Document preparation and submission | Names, microchip number and dates matched across every document |
| Microchip | Only if the pet does not already have one |
Vaccinations are billed separately by the vet when they are needed. India asks for rabies (two consecutive doses if you enter through Delhi), DHPPi and leptospirosis for dogs, and FVRCP for cats — but no titer test.
Category 2: Government Permits — Two Completely Different Cost Tiers
Non-commercial track (relocating after 2+ years abroad, or moving on a work/study visa)
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AQCS NOC — government processing fee | ₹1,000 (≈$12) | Per application, official rate since 1 May 2025, paid online |
| NOC handling by a partner agent in India | One Indian agent’s published rate: ₹18,000 + 18% GST per pet (Delhi, pet travelling with its owner) | Includes the government NOC fee and the agent’s handling. Rates vary by station — Daisy quotes the India side per case. |
Commercial / DGFT track (tourists and short stays, more than 2 pets, or anyone outside the two groups above)
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DGFT filing assistance | One Indian agent’s published rate: ₹10,000–18,000 + 18% GST, scaling with the number of pets (government fees extra) | Non-refundable even if the licence is denied — approval odds run close to 50/50 |
| Customs duty | Calculated as a restricted commercial import | Confirmed case by case through our partner agent in India |
| AQCS NOC (after DGFT approval) | ₹1,000 (≈$12) | Same government fee as the non-commercial track |
See our DGFT license guide for the full process and timeline before budgeting for this track — the fee is only part of what makes it more expensive.
Category 3: IATA Crate
The crate is quoted separately, by size. It must let your pet stand, turn around and lie down naturally, and strong breeds may need a reinforced crate on some carriers. If you already own an IATA-compliant crate in the correct dimensions, this cost is zero — but inspect all bolts, latches and ventilation on a used crate, because damaged hardware gets it rejected at check-in.
Category 4: Airline & Cargo Fees (Vietnam → India)
Vietnam Airlines flies nonstop to Delhi and Mumbai from both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and from Hanoi to Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Pets up to 32 kg including the crate can travel as checked baggage on the owner’s flight; larger pets, or pets travelling without the owner, go as cargo. Chennai, Kolkata and Kochi need a connection through a hub.
The airline charge is quoted per case. Checked baggage is a fee set by the airline for the pet’s piece; cargo is priced on chargeable weight — whichever is greater of the actual weight and the volume weight of the crate — so a large crate can cost more than the dog’s weight suggests. Full carrier details: Airlines for Pet Transport from Vietnam to India.
Category 5: Quarantine at AQCS — Only Applies in Specific Cases
Quarantine cost enters the picture if your pet fails the arrival health inspection, or if AQCS requires quarantine on the commercial/DGFT track (see our quarantine guide for exactly when this applies). Based on the government’s official rate effective 1 May 2025:
| Item | Rate |
|---|---|
| Accommodation, dog/cat, per day | ₹800 (≈$9.60) |
| Air conditioning, if requested, per day | ₹500 (≈$6) |
| Water cooler, if requested, per day | ₹100 (≈$1.20) |
AQCS’s procedure sets a 15-day stay for a pet that fails the arrival inspection. On the DGFT track, confirm the expected length for your case through our partner agent in India.
Category 6: India-Side Procedures
The import side in India — reviewing your category, the NOC application and, if needed, the DGFT application, plus liaison with AQCS — is handled with our partner agent in India and quoted per case, because it depends entirely on which track you are on.
What a Daisy Quote for India Contains
| Line | How it is priced |
|---|---|
| Vietnam export procedures | About USD 375–550 per pet in our 2025–2026 quotes |
| India import procedures (NOC, DGFT if applicable, AQCS liaison) | Quoted per case |
| Airline fee (checked baggage or cargo) | Quoted per case, by route and chargeable weight |
| Crate | Quoted separately, by size |
What Is Not Included in Most Quotes
When comparing quotes from pet relocation companies, verify whether these are included or excluded:
- AQCS quarantine fees, if your case is on the commercial track or your pet fails inspection
- Government fees, taxes and airport or customs charges in India
- Customs duty, if you’re on the commercial track
- The pet’s airline fare when it flies with you
- Cost of crate, if you need to purchase one
- Domestic onward transport within India after arrival
A quote that omits these isn’t necessarily dishonest — but it will look cheaper than it actually is until the final invoice. Ask explicitly which track your case falls into before comparing prices, since two “India relocation quotes” that look similar can represent completely different processes.
Last updated 20 Oct 2026
Compiled by our specialists from the regulations in force on the date above, for reference only. Rules may change after this date. Please verify with the competent authorities or contact us for the most accurate information.
