KE
Kenya
✈️
IN
India
Pet Transport from Kenya to India
26-32 weeks
Typical preparation
30 days
Quarantine on arrival
Very High
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Kenya to India
typically takes around 26-32 weeks.
Expect 30 days of quarantine on arrival.
A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.
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Overview
Relocating a pet from Kenya to India follows a clear path once you understand what India asks for. This is one of the more demanding routes, so allow around 26-32 weeks and treat the timeline as fixed. A 30 day quarantine stay applies once your pet arrives.
A rabies titre test is required, and it carries a fixed waiting period, so start it early. Follow the sequence below and keep a buffer for anything that slips.
Step by step
The Kenya to India process
1
First step - must be done before any vaccinations.
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)
Responsible: Your veterinarian
2
After microchip. 30-day wait before next steps.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your veterinarian
3
Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 30-day wait after successful result.
Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory)
Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory
4
Apply early: allow 4-6 weeks
Apply for import permit from India
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
5
2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.
Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
6
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)
Obtain official veterinary health certificate
Responsible: Official veterinarian
7
3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin
Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk
Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk
8
Immediately on arrival (mandatory)
Quarantine on arrival (30 days)
Responsible: India quarantine authority
Checklist
India: entry requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | Required (ISO 11784/11785) |
| Rabies vaccination | Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 30-day wait after vaccination before travel |
| Rabies titre test | Required. Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 30-day wait from test date before entry |
| Quarantine | Mandatory quarantine. 30 days. Facility: AQCS quarantine facility. 30-day quarantine at designated facility. |
| Import permit | Required. Issued by: Animal Quarantine and Certification Services. Permit issued by AQCS or State Animal Husbandry Department. |
| Health certificate | Required. Issued by: Official veterinarian. Valid for 14 days from issue. Must include all vaccination and test details. |
Leaving Kenya
Export requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | Not required |
| Health certificate | Required. Issued by DVS-authorised official vet. |
Costs
What this route typically costs
| 1 | Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size) |
| 2 | IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire) |
| 3 | Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate |
| 4 | Rabies titre test laboratory fee |
| 5 | Import permit application fee (India) |
| 6 | Quarantine facility fees (owner-paid at destination) |
| 7 | Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes) |
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ Mandatory quarantine required on arrival. Plan for separation from your pet.
⚠ Import permit must be obtained before travel. Apply well in advance.
⚠ Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Kenya Airways
Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: pets in pressurised hold via Kenya Airways Cargo. Connects Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta hub to European and African destinations. IATA-compliant crate required. Advance approval needed.
Air India
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 5kg with carrier). Cargo: Larger pets via Air India Cargo. Breed restrictions apply. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat on Indian domestic sectors
Emirates
Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region)
Lufthansa
Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round
British Airways
Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Book through approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any route.
Singapore Airlines
Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons
Cathay Pacific
Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be met
Air France
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for larger pets. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes
KLM
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM Cargo. Temperature restrictions apply. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo
The rules for bringing a pet into India
India runs a strict import regime, so every document is checked closely on arrival. Build your plan around the fixed waiting periods, because they set the pace for everything else.
How to keep this move on track
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
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.
FAQ
Common questions
Allow at least 26 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.
Yes, quarantine is mandatory in India. Your pet will stay for 30 days at AQCS quarantine facility on arrival. Confirm the facility, duration, and current charges with the destination authority before travel.
Yes, a rabies titre test is required. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after your pet’s rabies vaccination, and there is a 30-day waiting period after a successful result before your pet can enter India. Start this process as early as possible.
Yes, an import permit is required from India’s authority (Animal Quarantine and Certification Services). Apply before you book your flight. The permit specifies conditions your pet must meet and must be obtained in advance.
Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in Kenya. The certificate must be issued within 14 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check India’s authority for the exact format required.
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