Lead time needed
4-8 weeks
Quarantine
None
Route complexity
Moderate
Airlines
5 carriers on this route
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Pet Transport from Switzerland to India

Shipping a dog or cat from Switzerland to India rewards owners who start planning early. Plan on roughly 4-8 weeks; the checklist is clear and the timing is manageable. No routine quarantine applies as long as every requirement is met. You will not need a …

In short: Preparing to move a pet from Switzerland to India typically takes around 4-8 weeks. There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets. A rabies titre test is not required.
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Step by step

The Switzerland to India import process

Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire process.

1
Check records with Swiss vet.
Confirm microchip and rabies vaccination are current

Responsible: Your Swiss veterinarian

2
Within 10 days of departure. Allow time for cantonal endorsement.
Obtain FSVO-endorsed health certificate

Responsible: FSVO-authorised vet + cantonal office

3
2-4 weeks before departure.
Book cargo space and confirm documentation

Responsible: You or agent

4
Allow time for inspection. Present all originals.
Arrival AQCS inspection at approved airport

Responsible: India AQCS

Requirements

What your pet needs to enter India

Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.

Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Strongly recommended.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Must be valid at time of entry.
Rabies titre test
Not required.
Quarantine
No mandatory quarantine. AQCS inspection on arrival.
Import permit
No advance permit required but AQCS inspection on arrival is mandatory.
Health certificate
FSVO-endorsed certificate required. Must confirm microchip, vaccination status, …
Export permit
Not required
Costs

What this route typically costs

Cargo fee Zurich to India (approximately CHF 600-1,800 depending on …
FSVO/cantonal endorsement fee
IATA-compliant crate
AQCS inspection fee on arrival

Critical points

Your pet must arrive at one of only 5 approved Indian airports: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, or Bengaluru. Do not book to other airports.

Switzerland is not EU. The Swiss pet passport alone is not sufficient -- an FSVO-endorsed health certificate is required.

Airlines

Approved carriers for this route

Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS)
SWISS does not fly direct to India. SWISS Cargo on European sectors, connect via Lufthansa …
Cabin and Cargo
Lufthansa
Via Frankfurt. Zurich to Frankfurt then Frankfurt to Delhi, Mumbai, or Bengaluru. Small …
Cabin and Cargo
Air India
Via London or Frankfurt connections. Air India Cargo accepts pets. Small dogs and cats …
Cabin and Cargo
Emirates
Via Dubai. Emirates SkyCargo handles all pets. Connects to all major Indian cities. Summer …
Cargo Only
Qatar Airways
Via Doha. Good India connectivity. Qatar cargo to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru.
Cargo Only

India entry requirements at a glance

Getting a pet into India is a middle of the road process. The rules are well defined, so most of the work is simply staying on schedule.

Getting the details right

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

No. India does not require a rabies titre test for pets from Switzerland. A valid rabies vaccination, ISO microchip, and FSVO-endorsed health certificate are sufficient. The AQCS inspection on arrival is standard procedure regardless of titre test status.
Only five airports have AQCS facilities authorised to inspect imported animals: Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), Chennai (MAA), Kolkata (CCU), and Bengaluru (BLR). Book your cargo routing to terminate at one of these airports. Arrival at any other Indian airport will result in your pet being refused or held.
No mandatory quarantine. AQCS will inspect your pet and documentation on arrival. If everything is in order, your pet is released to you on the same day. If there are documentation issues, your pet may be held pending resolution.
In most cases, no – the India leg requires cargo. For a small cat, you might be able to travel in cabin from Zurich to Frankfurt with Lufthansa, but the Frankfurt to Delhi sector is a long-haul cargo booking. Check Lufthansa’s cabin pet policy for short European legs and their cargo division for the India sector.
Not strictly required for this route – the documentation is simpler than Japan or Australia. However, coordinating FSVO endorsement, cargo booking across two legs, and AQCS pre-notification is easier with an agent. For a first-time move, using an IPATA agent with India experience saves time and reduces errors.
Airline guides
  • Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS)
  • Lufthansa
  • Air India
  • Emirates
  • Qatar Airways
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

Move your pet to India.

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CH INSwitzerland to India
International pet transport route
Lead time4-8 weeks
QuarantineNone
ComplexityModerate
Airlines5
ServiceDoor to door
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