Bringing your dog or cat from India to United Kingdom takes some coordination, but the requirements are well defined. Budget around 16-24 weeks and start early, because the mandatory waits on this …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from India to United Kingdom
typically takes around 16-24 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The India to United Kingdom import process
01
First step. Must be done before or on the same day as the first rabies vaccination.
Implant ISO 11784/11785 microchip
Responsible: Your veterinarian in India
02
After microchipping. Titre test blood draw cannot happen until 30 days after the final vaccine dose.
Complete rabies vaccination primary course
Responsible: Your veterinarian in India
03
At least 30 days after the last rabies vaccination. Use an EU/UK-approved lab. Results typically take 2-4 weeks.
Rabies titre test blood draw at an approved laboratory
Responsible: Your veterinarian plus approved laboratory
04
Begins on the date the passing titre test blood was drawn, not the result date. Cannot be shortened under any circumstances.
Observe 3-month post-titre wait
Responsible: Owner planning
05
4-6 weeks before planned travel. Apply to the relevant AQCS regional office.
Apply for AQCS No-Objection Certificate (NOC)
Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent
06
Approximately 7 days before departure. Official vet completes first part of the AHC.
First clinical examination and AHC preparation
Responsible: AQCS-registered official veterinarian
07
Within 2 days of departure for the second exam. Tapeworm treatment 24-120 hours before GB arrival. AHC valid 10 days from issue.
Second clinical examination, AHC completion and AQCS endorsement; tapeworm treatment for dogs
Responsible: Official veterinarian and AQCS
Requirements
United Kingdom entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before or on the same day as the first rabies vaccination for the vaccination to count towards UK entry.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Primary course must be completed after microchipping. Titre test blood draw cannot happen until at least 30 days after the final vaccination.
Rabies titre test
Required. India is an unlisted country under UK APHA rules. Blood draw at least 30 days after rabies vaccination. Result must reach 0.5 IU/ml or above at an EU/UK-approved laboratory. After a passing result, a 3-calendar-month wait applies before UK entry. Source: UK APHA, apha.service.gov.uk
Quarantine
No routine quarantine provided all documentation is correct and the 3-month post-titre wait has been observed. Pets arriving without correct paperwork may face detention or return at owner's expense.
Import permit
No formal import permit required. The AHC acts as the travel document and must be correctly completed and endorsed.
Health certificate
Animal Health Certificate (AHC) required. Issued by an official Indian vet in the UK-approved format, endorsed by AQCS. Valid 10 days from issue for entry into Great Britain. Dogs only: tapeworm treatment (praziquantel, for Echinococcus multilocularis) must be administered by a vet 24-120 hours before arrival in Great Britain and recorded in the AHC.
Leaving India
Export requirements
Export permit
No-Objection Certificate (NOC) required from AQCS before travel. Apply through the AQCS regional office nearest your departure city. Allow 4-6 weeks for processing. Source: aqcsindia.gov.in
Health certificate
Required. Issued by a registered Indian vet in the UK AHC (Animal Health Certificate) format, then endorsed by AQCS (Animal Quarantine and Certification Services, aqcsindia.gov.in). Two clinical examinations required: first approximately 7 days before travel, second within 2 days of departure. Certificate valid 14 days from issue date.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Airline cargo fees (India to UK): typically GBP 600-1,400 depending on pet size, crate dimensions and route
IATA-compliant travel crate: GBP 80-300 depending on size
Veterinary fees in India: microchip, vaccinations, clinical exams, health certificate preparation
Titre test laboratory fee: approximately INR 4,000-8,000 depending on laboratory and turnaround
AQCS NOC application and health certificate endorsement fees
Pet transport agent fee (strongly recommended for this route): GBP 300-700
Tapeworm treatment (dogs only, 24-120 hours before GB arrival): recorded by Indian vet in AHC
Critical points
India is an UNLISTED country for UK entry. The 3-month post-titre wait is mandatory and cannot be waived. Allow a minimum of 4-6 months preparation time from the point of microchipping.
The microchip must be implanted before or on the same day as the first rabies vaccination. If the vaccination predates the chip, it does not count and the vaccination course must be restarted.
The AQCS NOC is required for all pet exports from India. Without it, the health certificate cannot be correctly endorsed and airlines will not accept the pet.
Tapeworm treatment for dogs is mandatory for entry into Great Britain. It must be administered 24-120 hours before arrival and recorded by a vet in the AHC.
Verify current requirements with UK APHA (apha.service.gov.uk) before finalising travel dates. Rules can change.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
British Airways
Cargo only on India-UK routes. Pets travel via IAG Cargo in a temperature-controlled hold. Book through an approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any BA route. Operates from Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), Chennai (MAA), Bangalore (BLR).
Cargo Only
Air India
International cargo on India-UK routes from Delhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM) to London Heathrow (LHR). Cabin pet transport on Indian domestic sectors only. Contact AI Cargo for international bookings.
Cargo Only
Lufthansa
Cargo from Indian cities via Frankfurt (FRA) hub to UK. Pets travel in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold via Lufthansa Cargo. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round.
Cargo Only
Emirates
Cargo via Dubai (DXB) hub from major Indian airports to London. Emirates SkyCargo routes pets in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements. Temperature restrictions apply in Gulf summer.
Cargo Only
KLM
Cargo from Indian cities via Amsterdam (AMS) hub to UK. Pets transported in temperature-controlled hold. IPATA agent recommended for documentation and transit coordination.
Cargo Only
Meeting United Kingdom's entry requirements
Getting a pet into United Kingdom means meeting a demanding set of rules with no shortcuts. Start from the earliest deadline and work forward from there.
Advice worth following
Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.
Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.
If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.
Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
A minimum of 4-6 months from the point of microchipping. The 3-month wait after a passing rabies titre test cannot be shortened. Add time for the titre test blood draw at least 30 days after vaccination, plus the AQCS NOC process and health certificate examinations. Starting too late is the most common problem on this route.
India is classified as an unlisted country by UK APHA, which reflects India’s rabies status. The titre test and 3-month wait are required from all unlisted countries to confirm arriving pets have effective rabies protection. There is no exemption or fast-track option.
The AQCS (Animal Quarantine and Certification Services) No-Objection Certificate is an Indian government document confirming your pet is cleared for export. Without it, the export health certificate cannot be correctly endorsed and airlines will not carry your pet. Apply to the AQCS regional office in your city at least 4-6 weeks before travel. Source: aqcsindia.gov.in
Yes. Dogs entering Great Britain must be treated for Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworm by a vet between 24 and 120 hours before arrival. The treatment and timing must be recorded in the Animal Health Certificate. Cats are not subject to this requirement. If the timing window is missed, your dog cannot enter Great Britain on that date.
No. All airlines operating India-UK international routes require pets to travel as cargo. Your pet will be in a pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Book cargo space directly with the airline or through a registered pet transport agent well in advance of your travel date.
Airline guides
British Airways
Air India
Lufthansa
Emirates
KLM
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.