Pet Shipping from the USA to India
India allows pets from the United States to come in, and the process is detailed, so planning ahead matters. Your pet needs an ISO microchip, a current rabies vaccination, a USDA-endorsed health certificate, and the right Indian permits, including a No Objection Certificate from a quarantine center and, for many moves, a DGFT license. Pet Travel Advisors maps the permits and paperwork early, coordinates the vet steps, and arranges the crate and routing so your pet’s journey stays organized and compliant.
Every Pet Travels
Differently
Different destinations, different routes, different challenges.
Because timelines, airline rules, and India’s entry requirements all affect each other, we build a plan that fits your pet and your move date.
Destination-Focused Planning
We use India's official Animal Quarantine and Certification Service import rules as the baseline, then turn them into a simple checklist and timeline you can follow.
Smart Routing and Logistics
We help choose practical routes, travel windows, and handoff procedures so your pet’s trip is safer and more predictable.
Personalized Support
Pet Travel Advisors assigns a move coordinator who keeps you updated and checks details before travel so nothing important is missed.
Pet Shipping from the USA to India
Moving a pet to India is a documented, permit-based process, with a quarantine officer examining your pet on arrival. The No Objection Certificate and, where needed, the DGFT license drive the calendar, so we start early. If you would like a simple overview of international moves first, start here. Bringing a pet the other way, into the United States? See our US import guide.
- confirm what applies to your pet and route
- map out a realistic timeline
- coordinate vet steps and paperwork
- support crate readiness and routing
confirm what applies to your pet and route
How Pet Shipping from the USA to India Works
To keep everything clear, we break the process into steps:
Verify requirements and timing
We confirm what rules apply based on your pet and travel details.
Build your plan and timeline
We map out what happens when, so steps are completed in the right order.
Coordinate vet preparation
We help keep appointments and timing aligned with what’s required.
Review documents for consistency
We check the details that cause delays (microchip digits, dates, names, signatures).
Confirm crate readiness and routing
We help align crate setup and routing with airline handling expectations.
Travel and arrival processing
We guide you on travel-day handoff and what to expect on arrival.
We keep your checklist aligned with the official rules. For the US export side, we follow USDA APHIS guidance for US to India travel. For the entry rules, we follow the Animal Quarantine and Certification Service guidance.
Approved Routes and Entry into India
Pets travel to India as manifest cargo to an approved airport with a quarantine office, and a quarantine officer examines your pet on arrival. The permits have to be arranged before travel, so we sequence them carefully against your route and date.
- routing options can change based on airline availability and season
- we confirm the best practical route before booking
- we make sure your plan matches what’s expected at intake
Entry Requirements and Documentation for India
Import Eligibility for Pets
India allows up to two pets per passenger with the right documents and a quarantine officer’s examination on arrival. A No Objection Certificate from a quarantine center is needed about fifteen days before travel, and many moves also need a DGFT license, which can take around a month. Pets relocating permanently may have a short observation period, and transfer-of-residence moves require proof of time spent abroad. We check exactly which path applies to you at the start.
Before scheduling vet steps or flights, we confirm what rules apply to your pet and whether airline policies affect travel. Most moves are dogs and cats, though we handle other pets too, and the requirements can differ by species. Eligibility can come down to your pet’s type and health, airline rules for certain breeds or conditions, the documentation and timing, and which routes are available. Ready to start? Request a quote.
Health Preparation and Documentation
Your pet will need an ISO microchip, a rabies vaccination given more than one month and within twelve months before travel, a USDA-endorsed health certificate, a No Objection Certificate from an Indian quarantine center arranged about fifteen days before travel, and, for many moves, a DGFT license obtained before departure. We line these steps up in the right order and check that microchip numbers, dates, names, and signatures all match across the paperwork.
| Requirement | India, from the United States |
|---|---|
| Microchip | ISO microchip |
| Rabies vaccination | Given more than 1 month and within 12 months before travel |
| Health certificate | USDA endorsed health certificate |
| No Objection Certificate | Arranged with an Indian quarantine center about 15 days before travel |
| DGFT license | Needed for many moves, obtained before departure |
| Quarantine | Inspection by the Animal Quarantine and Certification Service on arrival |
Planning Timeline for Pet Shipping to India
India needs a couple of months of planning because of the permits. A typical timeline runs like this: a consultation and a check of which permit path applies, the microchip and rabies vaccination, the DGFT license where needed, with about a month allowed for it, the No Objection Certificate about fifteen days out, then booking the cargo route, getting the crate ready, the USDA-endorsed health certificate, a document review, and travel.
Planning the budget? See what shipping a pet from the USA to India costs, fee by fee.
What does it cost to ship a pet from the USA to India?
Costs depend on your pet’s size and crate, the route and airline, vet and permit fees, and whether the move is door to door. The fastest way to get a real number is a quote based on your origin city and travel date. Request a quote here.
What are the requirements to bring a pet into India from the USA?
Your pet needs an ISO microchip, a rabies vaccination given more than one month and within twelve months before travel, a USDA-endorsed health certificate, a No Objection Certificate from an Indian quarantine center about fifteen days before travel, and, for many moves, a DGFT license.
Does my pet have to go into quarantine in India?
Pets are examined by a quarantine officer on arrival. Pets relocating permanently may have a short observation period of around fifteen days, while many moves clear without a stay when the documents are complete. We confirm which applies to your situation.
How long does the process take?
Plan on a couple of months. The DGFT license can take around a month, and the No Objection Certificate is arranged about fifteen days before travel.
Can any dog or cat qualify?
Up to two pets per passenger are generally allowed with the right documents. Some cities have breed rules, so we confirm eligibility for your specific pet and destination.
How does Pet Travel Advisors help with a move to India?
We map the permit path, prepare the No Objection Certificate and DGFT license where needed, coordinate the vet steps and documents, arrange a comfortable crate and cargo routing, and stay with the move through arrival.