Relocating a pet from United States to India follows a clear path once you understand what India asks for. Set aside roughly 12-18 weeks for this route and keep a close eye on the sequencing. A 30 day …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from United States to India
typically takes around 12-18 weeks.
Expect 30 days of quarantine on arrival.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The United States to India import process
01
Start of planning.
Confirm ISO microchip is implanted.
Responsible: Vet
02
5+ weeks before blood draw.
Rabies vaccination. Must be administered at least 30 days before the titre test blood draw.
Responsible: USDA-accredited vet
03
At least 5 weeks before travel (to allow for result processing time).
Titre test blood draw at accepted laboratory. Result must be 0.5 IU/ml or above.
Responsible: Accepted laboratory
04
4-6 weeks before travel.
Arrange AQCS import clearance with India-side agent.
Responsible: India-side agent
05
4-8 weeks before travel.
Book cargo with United, Delta, or Lufthansa.
Responsible: Owner or agent
06
Within 10 days of travel.
USDA-accredited vet issues AQCS-compatible health certificate within 10 days of India arrival. APHIS endorsement obtained.
Responsible: USDA-accredited vet + APHIS
07
Travel day.
Pet arrives in India. AQCS inspection. 30-day quarantine begins.
Responsible: AQCS quarantine facility
Requirements
India entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip required.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Administered at least 30 days before the titre test blood draw.
Rabies titre test
FAVN or HAI titre test required. Minimum 0.5 IU/ml. Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination.
Quarantine
Mandatory 30-day quarantine at an AQCS-designated facility. Owner-paid. No waivers.
Import permit
AQCS import clearance required. Arranged in advance through an India-side agent.
Health certificate
AQCS-compatible health certificate from a USDA-accredited vet, APHIS-endorsed. Issued within 10 days of India arrival.
Leaving United States
Export requirements
Export permit
No USDA export permit required for personal pet exports of dogs and cats from the USA.
Health certificate
USDA-APHIS endorsed health certificate. Issued by a USDA-accredited vet and endorsed by APHIS. Compatible with AQCS requirements. Valid 10 days from examination to India arrival.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Titre test at accepted laboratory (USA)
USDA-accredited vet consultation + health certificate
APHIS endorsement fee
IATA-compliant crate
Cargo fee: US to Delhi or Mumbai
AQCS 30-day quarantine cost (owner-paid)
Agent fee (both US and India side)
Critical points
The 30-day quarantine is mandatory. Plan for it, budget it, and do not assume it can be avoided or shortened.
AQCS facilities are at specific airports. Delhi and Mumbai are the main reception points. Your pet must fly into an airport with an AQCS facility.
The transition from APHIS export to AQCS import is where the paperwork chain is most fragile. Both sides need to align. Use an agent who manages both.
India does not recognise pet passports or the EU pet travel scheme. Even if your dog has an up-to-date EU-format document, India requires its own import clearance process.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
United Airlines
United PetSafe cargo from US hubs (EWR, ORD, IAH, SFO) to Delhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM). Temperature-controlled cargo. Brachycephalic restrictions and seasonal embargoes apply.
Cargo Only
Delta
Delta Cargo from JFK, ATL, LAX to Delhi and Mumbai. Live animal service. Confirm availability on your specific routing before booking.
Cargo Only
Lufthansa
Via Frankfurt (FRA). US to India with one transit. Lufthansa Cargo has a strong live animal service and is a popular choice for US-India pet moves.
Cargo Only
Qatar Airways
Via Doha (DOH). US to India with one transit. Live animal service from Hamad International. Good frequency and coverage.
Cargo Only
India import rules, explained
India has a detailed set of import rules, and each one needs to be satisfied before travel. None of it is unusual, but the order and timing are what catch people out.
Practical tips for this move
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 about this route
No. The 30-day AQCS quarantine is mandatory for all dogs and cats entering India from any country. It cannot be shortened or waived by any documentation, vaccination history, or breed status. Plan for it as a fixed step in your pet’s journey.
A USDA-APHIS endorsed health certificate is the core US export document. A USDA-accredited vet in the USA examines your pet and issues the certificate, which is then endorsed by APHIS. The certificate must be in a format accepted by AQCS and issued within 10 days of India arrival. You also need your pet’s microchip confirmation, vaccination records, and titre test result.
Yes. The 30-day AQCS quarantine applies to cats as well as dogs. All companion animals entering India from international origins must complete the 30-day period. Cats also need the microchip, vaccination, and titre test documentation.
Expect total costs in the range of USD 3,500 to USD 8,000. The 30-day AQCS quarantine and the transoceanic cargo fee are the two largest components. Titre test, health certificate, APHIS endorsement, crate, and agent fees make up the rest.
No. The APHIS export requirements are federal and apply uniformly across all US states. The India-side AQCS requirements do not change based on which US state your pet is coming from. The process is the same whether you are shipping from New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago.
Airline guides
United Airlines
Delta
Lufthansa
Qatar Airways
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.