Pet Transport from USA to India: Import Permit, Health Certificate and Airline Routes

India welcomes pets, but the import process involves several steps that must be completed in the right order. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) under India’s Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying oversees live animal imports. With patience and the right documents, the journey from the USA to India is achievable for most cat and dog owners.

Import Permit Requirement

India requires an Import Permit issued by the DAHD before any live animal can enter the country. The permit application should be submitted at least 3 to 4 weeks before travel. You will need to provide microchip details, vaccination records and details of the health certificate that will accompany the animal.

The permit is issued per animal and specifies the permitted port of entry. Make sure your routing matches the port named on the permit.

Documents Required

For pets arriving from the USA:

1. ISO microchip – 15-digit
2. Core vaccinations – rabies (current and valid), distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis, adenovirus for dogs; rabies, feline panleukopenia, feline herpesvirus and calicivirus for cats; all vaccines must be current
3. USDA APHIS-endorsed health certificate – completed by an USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by the relevant USDA APHIS Veterinary Services area office; issued within 10 days of travel
4. Import Permit from DAHD
5. Declaration of pet ownership – to confirm the pet is a personal companion animal, not for commercial sale

No titre test is currently required for the USA-to-India route, which simplifies the timeline compared to travel to some other countries.

Approved Entry Ports

India designates specific international airports for live animal imports. The current main approved entry points include:

• Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi (DEL)
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai (BOM)
• Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR)
• Chennai International Airport (MAA)
• Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata (CCU)

Confirm your specific arrival airport is listed on your Import Permit before booking flights.

Quarantine

There is no mandatory quarantine period for pets arriving from the USA with complete documentation. Your pet will be inspected by a customs veterinary officer at the airport on arrival. If documentation is complete and the animal appears healthy, it is released to you.

Airlines Flying USA to India with Pets

Direct flights from US cities to India operate with several carriers. Air India, United Airlines, American Airlines and Lufthansa (via Frankfurt) are common options. Most major US-to-India routes go via Delhi or Mumbai.

Air India accepts pets as cargo on some routes. United and American accept pets as cargo on transatlantic and transpacific routes, though not all India-specific flights – confirm with the airline’s live animal cargo desk for the exact route you are booking.

Tips from Experience

• Book the DAHD Import Permit early – delays in permit processing have pushed departure dates back for many pet owners
• USDA APHIS endorsement typically requires 2 to 5 business days; do not leave it until the last minute
• Label your crate clearly with the IATA required labels and attach a copy of the Import Permit to the outside of the crate
• Arrive at the cargo terminal at least 3 hours before flight departure for live animal check-in

Sources: Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, India; USDA APHIS International Pet Travel; IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR) 50th Edition.