Pet Transport from India to the United States

The journey from India to United States for a pet is straightforward to plan once the key dates are mapped out. Allow about 8-16 weeks; the requirements are detailed but predictable once mapped out. …

Get your free quote →

8-16

Weeks lead time needed

Start this early minimum

28 days

Quarantine on arrival

High

Route complexity

Airlines on this route

Lead time needed

8-16 weeks

Quarantine

28 days

Route complexity

High

Airlines

5 carriers on this route

Start my quote

In short: Preparing to move a pet from India to United States typically takes around 8-16 weeks. Expect 28 days of quarantine on arrival. A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.

Regulations checked June 2026

Prepared and reviewed by Marcus Webb, Senior Pet Relocation Consultant

Step by step

The India to United States import process

First step. Required by most airlines for cargo transport.

Implant ISO microchip

Responsible: Your veterinarian in India

Vaccinate first, then have blood drawn and tested by a laboratory on the CDC approved list. A valid result is what removes the 28-day facility stay. Without it, reserve a place at a CDC-registered facility instead and book a flight into an airport that has one. Confirm the current laboratory and facility lists at cdc.gov/importation, and confirm the required interval between vaccination, blood draw and arrival with the laboratory.

Rabies vaccination, then a blood sample sent for serology to a CDC-approved laboratory

Responsible: Your veterinarian in India, plus a CDC-approved laboratory

Before departure. Complete the electronic form at cdc.gov/importation. Required for all dogs entering the USA.

File CDC Dog Import Form online

Responsible: Owner

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

Approximately 7 days before departure.

First clinical examination and health certificate preparation

Responsible: AQCS-registered official veterinarian

Within 2 days of departure. Certificate valid 14 days from issue.

Second clinical examination, health certificate completion and AQCS endorsement

Responsible: Official veterinarian and AQCS

4-6 weeks before travel. Confirm live animal acceptance and crate size requirements.

Book cargo space with airline

Responsible: You or your pet transport agent

3-4 hours before departure for cargo check-in.

Travel day: arrive early, present all documents including CDC Dog Import Form printout

Responsible: You and airline cargo desk

Requirements

United States entry requirements

Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.

Microchip

Not federally mandated by CDC for entry, but strongly recommended and required by most airlines for cargo transport. ISO 11784/11785 standard.

Rabies vaccination

Required for dogs. India is classified as a CDC high-risk country for dog rabies. A dog vaccinated outside the United States must also satisfy one of two CDC options: a rabies serology result from a CDC-approved laboratory, or a 28-day stay at a CDC-registered animal care facility on arrival. Either way the dog must land at a US airport that has such a facility. Source: CDC, cdc.gov/importation

Rabies titre test

Required in practice for a dog vaccinated in India. Because India is CDC high-risk, a foreign-vaccinated dog needs either a rabies serology result from a CDC-approved laboratory or 28 days at a CDC-registered facility. The serology result is what removes the facility stay. Source: CDC, cdc.gov/importation

Quarantine

A dog arriving with a valid rabies serology result from a CDC-approved laboratory does not serve a facility stay. A dog vaccinated in India without that result must spend 28 days at a CDC-registered animal care facility at the owner's expense, and must land at an airport that has one. Source: CDC, cdc.gov/importation

Import permit

No federal import permit required for personal pet dogs and cats. CDC Dog Import Form (electronic, filed before travel) required for all dogs. Source: CDC, cdc.gov/importation

Health certificate

USDA APHIS-format health certificate required, issued by an Indian official vet and endorsed by AQCS. Cats: no federal health certificate requirement, though airlines typically require one for cargo. Source: USDA APHIS, aphis.usda.gov

Leaving India

Export requirements

Export permit

No-Objection Certificate (NOC) required from AQCS before travel. Apply to the AQCS regional office nearest your departure city. Allow 4-6 weeks. Source: aqcsindia.gov.in

Health certificate

Required. USDA APHIS-format health certificate from an Indian official vet, 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 USA): typically USD 600-1,800 depending on pet size, crate dimensions, and route

IATA-compliant travel crate: USD 80-300 depending on size

Veterinary fees in India: microchip, vaccinations, clinical exams, health certificate preparation

AQCS NOC application and health certificate endorsement fees

Pet transport agent fee (recommended for this route): USD 400-800

CDC quarantine facility fees if vaccination pathway not met: USD 1,500-3,000+ for 28 days

US customs broker or agent fee if required for commercial import

Critical points

A dog must be at least six months old on the day it enters the United States, whatever country it comes from. There is no exception for a well-documented puppy, so a litter move has to wait. The microchip rule sits alongside it: the chip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination, or the CDC treats that vaccination as invalid. Source: CDC, cdc.gov/importation/dogs, read 2026-09-02.

India is classified as a HIGH-RISK country for dog rabies by the CDC. A dog vaccinated in India needs either a rabies serology result from a CDC-approved laboratory or a 28-day stay at a CDC-registered facility at the owner's expense, and in both cases must land at a US airport that has such a facility.

The CDC Dog Import Form must be completed and submitted electronically before travel. Dogs without this form will not be admitted.

Cats entering the USA from India have no federal health or vaccination requirements, but airlines require their own documentation for cargo. Check with your specific carrier.

The AQCS NOC is required for all pet exports from India. Without it, the health certificate cannot be correctly endorsed and the airline will not accept the pet.

Verify current CDC requirements at cdc.gov/importation before travel. CDC dog import rules were updated in 2022 and 2024 and may change again.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
Air India	International cargo from Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), Bangalore (BLR), and Chennai (MAA). US routes include Delhi-New York (JFK) and Mumbai-New York. Pets travel in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold via Air India Cargo. No cabin pets on international routes.	Cargo Only
United Airlines	PetSafe cargo programme for international routes. Operates India-USA routes via hubs. Pets travel as live animal cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Advance booking required. Seasonal and breed restrictions apply.	Cargo Only
American Airlines	American Airlines Cargo handles pet transport on India-USA routes. No cabin pets on international routes. Temperature embargoes apply seasonally. Book through cargo division.	Cargo Only
British Airways	Cargo via London Heathrow (LHR) hub. IAG Cargo handles live animal transport. Connecting route adds transit time but offers wide US destination coverage. No cabin pets on any BA route.	Cargo Only
Emirates	Cargo via Dubai (DXB) hub. Emirates SkyCargo from Indian airports to US gateways. Pets in temperature-controlled hold. Temperature restrictions apply in Gulf summer. Connecting route option.	Cargo Only

How United States handles incoming pets

United States asks for several pieces of paperwork, and they all need to line up. A checklist and a clear timeline are your best tools here.

What experienced owners do

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.

Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

The dog spends 28 days at a CDC-registered animal care facility, paid for by the owner, and the flight must land at an airport that has one. That stay is one of the two routes the CDC offers, not a penalty, but it is expensive, so most owners arrange the serology instead. If your dog is already vaccinated you do not need to start again: the next step is a blood sample tested by a laboratory on the CDC approved list. Check the current list at cdc.gov/importation.

No. The CDC has no federal rabies vaccination or health certificate requirements for cats entering the USA from any country, including India. However, airlines transporting cats as cargo typically require their own health documentation. Check with your specific carrier before travel.

The CDC Dog Import Form is an electronic form required for all dogs entering the USA, regardless of origin. It must be completed before departure at cdc.gov/importation. It captures the dog’s vaccination details, microchip number, origin country, and US destination. Dogs without a completed form will not be admitted to the USA. Keep a printout to present at cargo check-in.

AQCS (Animal Quarantine and Certification Services) issues the No-Objection Certificate required for all pet exports from India. Without it, the health certificate cannot be correctly endorsed and airlines will not accept your pet on an international flight. Apply to the AQCS regional office in your city at least 4-6 weeks before travel. Source: aqcsindia.gov.in

Allow several months for a dog. The Indian export paperwork is the shorter part. The longer part is the serology: vaccinate, draw blood, ship the sample to a CDC-approved laboratory and hold the result before the flight is booked. If you use a CDC-registered facility instead, add the 28 days on arrival. Cats are quicker, because the CDC sets no federal requirements for them. Confirm the serology intervals with the laboratory and the export timings with AQCS, since those two set the real start date.

Airline guides

Air India
United Airlines
American Airlines
British Airways
Emirates

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

Move your pet
to United States.

Get a free, fully itemised quote for this route. We map the complete preparation timeline and costs. No commitment required.

Get my free quote

Sources

Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.

USDA APHIS · United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
AQCS · Animal Quarantine and Certification Service, India, under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying
CDC · United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dog import rules
IATA · International Air Transport Association, Live Animals Regulations