IndiaIndia runs two separate import tracks, not one — most relocating owners only need a single government permit and face no quarantine at all. Confirming which track applies to you comes before every other step.
Last updated 20 Oct 2026i
Which track you qualify for changes almost every number below — confirm it first.
If documents are complete and the pet passes inspection
AQCS processes complete applications in as little as 2 working days
Two different paths for pet travel: Commercial vs. Non-Commercial
FAVN/RNATT not required — a valid rabies vaccination is sufficient
Four requirements apply to every dog and cat — plus one decision that changes everything else.
Every pet needs a No Objection Certificate from the Animal Quarantine and Certification Service at the entry airport. Submit at least 7 days before departure — processing takes a minimum of 2 working days
A microchip must be implanted before vaccination records are created. The health certificate must come from a Vietnamese veterinarian, be DAH-endorsed, and be completed within 10 days of the flight
Rabies vaccine 30 days–12 months before travel (two doses if entering via Delhi). Core vaccines and leptospirosis are required for dogs, not optional. No FAVN/RNATT titer test needed — a real advantage over Japan or Australia.
Relocating after 2+ years abroad or moving on a work/study visa qualifies for the fast, NOC-only track. Tourists and other short stays — even with a sponsor in India — and anyone else are routed into DGFT’s commercial process, with customs duty and possible quarantine
Two mechanics that catch owners who assume India’s process is a single checklist like most other destinations.
Every pet import falls into one of two tracks — non-commercial (relocating owners, work/study visas) or commercial/DGFT (including tourist and short-stay visits). Which one applies depends on your reason for travel, not on paperwork you happen to file first.
Unlike a fixed rule applied to every arriving pet, quarantine in India is decided at the arrival inspection. The non-commercial track skips it for healthy, compliant pets. On the commercial/DGFT track, AQCS can also order it where required.
4–5 weeks if you qualify for the non-commercial track — add 6–9 weeks upfront if you need DGFT authorization instead.
Confirm you qualify for the non-commercial track and choose your AQCS entry airport. Book airline for pet
Microchip implantation and a full veterinary check, before any vaccine record is created.
Rabies vaccine (two doses if entering via Delhi), core vaccines, and leptospirosis for dogs — all required, none optional.
Gather documents and submit to AQCS at your entry airport — at least 7 days before departure.
A minimum of 2 working days once documents are complete. Check every line against your flight booking.
Issue the certificate within 10 days of the flight, then check in with all originals. AQCS inspection on arrival determines quarantine — not a fixed rule.
Vietnam Airlines flies direct to Delhi and Mumbai. Every other Indian gateway still travels as manifest cargo through at least one hub airport.
Applied to every pet flying the India route.
Eight weeks and fully weaned is the floor for carriage, and some airlines set it higher. Pregnant animals are not accepted.
IATA and IPATA both advise against sedation, and a pet known to be sedated can be refused at the counter. Crate conditioning on a six-week schedule does that work instead.
Pet owners work with a single point of contact through our international pet relocation service, while we confirm the right import track and coordinate every stage from there.
The two import tracks carry genuinely different cost structures — confirm yours before comparing quotes.
Four steps from first contact to your pet arriving safely in India.
Free Consultation
Tell us your pet’s breed, size, and travel purpose. We confirm which import track applies to you and give you a clear timeline and itemized quote.
Documentation & Permits
We coordinate the NOC application with AQCS, handle DGFT paperwork only if your case requires it, and review the health certificate before endorsement.
Airline Booking & Departure
We book cargo space on the right carrier for your pet’s breed and size, handle airport check-in at Tan Son Nhat or Noi Bai, and ensure the crate and all documents meet requirements before the flight.
Arrival Support
Our in-country partner meets the shipment at the AQCS station and coordinates collection once your pet is cleared — including quarantine liaison if your case requires it.
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.
Tell us about your pet and destination. Our team will review your case and provide a clear, tailored quotation.