IT
Italy
✈️
IN
India
Pet Transport from Italy to India
12-16 weeks
Typical preparation
7 days
Quarantine on arrival
High
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Italy to India
typically takes around 12-16 weeks.
Expect 7 days of quarantine on arrival.
Start your journey
Get Your Free Quote
Enter your pet's details and route
Quotes are tailored to your specific journey.
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Reviewed guides prioritise government and carrier sources; older pages are clearly flagged. How we source our data →
Overview
Shipping a dog or cat from Italy to India rewards owners who start planning early. There is a fair amount of paperwork here, so plan on around 12-16 weeks. Your pet will spend 7 days in quarantine after landing.
The sections below cover each requirement in detail.
Step by step
The Italy to India process
1
First step. Must precede rabies vaccination.
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785)
Responsible: Your veterinarian
2
After microchip. Certificate must show vaccine name, batch number, and date.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your veterinarian
3
Apply 6-8 weeks before travel. Specify your port of entry.
Apply for AQCS import permit from India
Responsible: You or your pet transport agent
4
Within 10 days of departure. Issued by official Italian veterinarian.
Obtain official veterinary health certificate in Italy
Responsible: Official veterinarian (Italian Ministry of Health authorised)
5
Allow 3-7 working days. Book appointment in advance.
Get health certificate endorsed by Indian Embassy in Rome or Milan
Responsible: You
6
6-8 weeks before travel.
Book airline cargo space and confirm AQCS approval
Responsible: You or your pet transport agent
7
3+ hours before departure for cargo check-in.
Travel day: arrive with full document set, enter through declared port only
Responsible: You and airline cargo desk
Checklist
India: entry requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before rabies vaccination. |
| Rabies vaccination | Required. Current vaccination within the validity period. India's AQCS specifies acceptable vaccine types. |
| Rabies titre test | Not routinely required from Italy, but AQCS reserves the right to require testing. Verify current rules before travel. |
| Quarantine | Short quarantine possible on arrival at the designated Animal Quarantine Station. Duration is typically 24-48 hours for inspection, or up to 7 days if documentation is queried. |
| Import permit | Required. Apply to India's Animal Quarantine and Certification Service (AQCS). Permit specifies port of entry. Must arrive at the declared port. |
| Health certificate | Required. Issued by an Italian official vet. Must be endorsed by the Indian Embassy or consulate in Italy before travel. |
Leaving Italy
Export requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | Not required |
| Health certificate | Official veterinary health certificate required. Issued by an official vet (veterinario ufficiale) authorised by the Italian Ministry of Health. Must meet India's import requirements. |
Costs
What this route typically costs
| 1 | Airline cargo fee (based on pet weight plus crate, Rome or Milan to Indian cities) |
| 2 | IATA-compliant hard-sided crate |
| 3 | Veterinary fees: microchipping, vaccinations, official health certificate |
| 4 | AQCS import permit fee |
| 5 | Indian Embassy endorsement fee |
| 6 | Arrival quarantine facility charge (if applicable) |
| 7 | Pet transport agent fee (strongly recommended for this route) |
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ Entry must be through the port declared on your AQCS import permit. Changing airports or arrival cities after the permit is issued can result in refusal of entry.
⚠ Health certificate must be endorsed by the Indian Embassy in Italy before departure.
⚠ Quarantine may be required on arrival regardless of documentation. This is at the discretion of the AQCS officer.
⚠ Source: India AQCS (aqcsindia.gov.in), Italian Ministry of Health (salute.gov.it).
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Air India
Cabin pets accepted on certain routes (small pets under 7kg including carrier). Cargo available for larger pets via Air India cargo. India-origin rules for imports apply on arrival.
Lufthansa
Cabin pets (up to 8kg with carrier). Cargo via Lufthansa Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Via Frankfurt connections available to India.
Emirates
Pets as manifested cargo via Emirates SkyCargo. Temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to seasonal restrictions. Via Dubai to Indian metros.
British Airways
Cargo only. Pets via British Airways World Cargo. Via London Heathrow to Indian cities. AQCS approval required before booking.
Qatar Airways
Cargo only via Qatar Airways. Via Doha. Temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted. India AQCS permit required.
India entry requirements at a glance
The requirements for India are thorough rather than difficult. Work through them methodically and confirm anything you are unsure about with the official source.
Getting the details right
Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.
Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.
FAQ
Common questions
Allow 4-6 weeks for the AQCS permit application. Applications are made via aqcsindia.gov.in. The permit is specific to the port of entry, so confirm your arrival airport before applying.
A short inspection period of 24-48 hours is standard at the AQCS quarantine station. If documentation is incomplete or queried, this can extend to 7 days. Having all documents correct and endorsed reduces the risk of extended quarantine.
Yes. The official health certificate issued by an Italian official veterinarian must be taken to the Indian Embassy in Rome or Indian Consulate in Milan for endorsement before you travel. This cannot be arranged on arrival.
Your pet may be refused entry or held until a new permit is issued. The AQCS permit is port-specific. If your travel plans change, contact AQCS immediately to request a permit amendment.
On most routes, pets travel as cargo only. Air India sometimes permits small pets in cabin on flights originating in India. For Europe-origin flights, cargo is the standard option. Check directly with your chosen airline before booking.
Ready to book
Italy to India?
Italy to India?
Get a free quote →
No commitment. We reply within one business day.