Moving Pets from overseas to India Moving Pets from overseas to India
Moving pets from one country to another is no easy task; with approvals and clearance required from both originating country and destination country. And every country has a rigid process and list of documents and approvals required that does change on a time to time basis. And that includes India as well, with its own quirks and requirements.
Three core aspects:
a) Quarantine requirements from the source country
b) Flight requirements
c) Quarantine requirements from the destination country (India)
Every country requirements will primarily consist of key aspects; your pet needs to be microchipped, recent vaccinations (specifically highlighting rabies vaccine), a 30-day/recent health certificate from a vet, and an endorsement of health certificate (/NOC) from the Department of Agriculture/Animal Health Inspection. There would be additional documentation in addition to the above depending on the country's rules and regulations. If you are bringing your pet from a developed nation, head to a popular/nearby vet, and they will be able to tell you what is the process, required documentation and timelines.
Most international airlines allow pets (in the cabin or via the hold), however, the feedback of many airlines is not very good with several complaints on handling the pets, mismanagement during stop-overs, and unfortunately in a few occurrences, even death of the pet(s). On the other hand, Lufthansa is considered the airline to pick if you are carrying your pet with you. If not Lufthansa, other European airlines are also considered a decent choice. The airlines would require prior intimation of the pets being carried with a form to be filled in via email along with any other documentation if requested (vaccination records, health records, NOC). Give yourself at least an hour extra for the pets at check-in to ensure no last-minute delays. The pets would have to be carried in industry-approved pet carriers with water and food, a moisture absorbing mat and clear identification (basic) details stuck to the carrier. Many airlines allow one small pet/cat per person in the cabin, while 2 or more pets (and larger pets) go into the temperature controlled hold. It is advised to push the airline ground personnel to confirm the pet(s) are in good condition during the stopover. Some airlines like Lufthansa (at specific airport hubs) offer free grooming/cleaning services if the stopover time is more than 2 hours.
At arrival in India, the documents would be checked again with a focus on the local clearance/NOC and the import permit which is the most crucial document. Customs (or a Quarantine Officer) will also have to give clearance with respect to the same and would ask for the NOC, health certificate in addition to the import permit. Obtaining the latter requires a request letter for prior approval from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade; in addition to the flight tickets and travel itinerary. Also, there would be other rules applicable (min of 2-year stay overseas, only two pets per person, etc). While the list of documentation is pretty straightforward, someone (on your behalf) will have to run around in India getting the necessary approvals and this might take a few iterations. And there come in 3rd party organizations who offer a complete end-to-end "consultancy" services, at a premium cost.
In addition to this, once you have the pets in India, the government quarantine rules require a health certificate for every pet from overseas to be submitted around the 1-year mark post entry. Although this is something that is not possible for them to check, however, if you plan on taking the pet again overseas, they would catch you at that point. Not sure how successful that has been so far. Personal Experience(s)
I have had the 'luxury' of getting my cats from New York to Mumbai via Lufthansa with a halt at Frankfurt. While I had sufficient documentation on what was to be done from the US side as well as from the airline perspective, the problem area was getting the required documentation from India; for which I did not want to get my parents running around. Inquiring around, I spoke to a cousin who went through this process a few years ago and back then when they tried to source the documents on their own, apparently they faced a lot of problems and advised me to go for a 3rd party service.
And so I did, paying a handsome sum of 22k per pet from a pan-India agency (there are many; a simple google search will provide you with options and reviews/references). For the money paid, the service is generally very good and so was my case in getting the necessary approvals in India.
My cats were already micro-chipped and timely vaccinated, so I located a nearby vet who offered the health certificates for a minor fee. The endorsement certificate required a trip to Albany (capital) with a minor fee paid to the government and soon we were good to go, at least from the US side.
Took up a Lufthansa flight with a ~2 hour halt at Frankfurt, and the check-in process went seamless. I was informed there were total 3 cats on my flight; and while my cats had to go to the hold, the lucky 3rd fellow was traveling in the cabin. Co-incidently her owner had a seat just on the previous row and throughout the flight, I could see the little fellow popping his head out of his carrier, curious as ever.
On landing at Mumbai, the consultancy org had sent a guy to help in the customs/clearance process; and we were out after a quick check of the documents and certificates. I was again informed about the health check within the next one year period. The cats took a few days, but finally they were happy to be back on the ground!
Last edited by ninjatalli : 1st July 2019 at 13:50.
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