Taking Pets to India
Moving to India is a huge life moment – and when your dog or cat is coming too, it’s completely normal to feel protective, anxious, and determined to “get it right”. At PetAir UK, we specialise in safe, compliant pet travel to India with a vet-led team, over 20 years’ experience, and a track record of 33,000+ pets flown safely worldwide.
From the first planning call to the moment your pet is cleared on arrival, you’ll have calm guidance, clear timelines, and a dedicated coordinator who handles the details – including airline booking, IATA-compliant travel cabins, and the export paperwork required from the UK.
Ready to plan with confidence? Get a quick quote today and we’ll map out the safest, smoothest route for your pet’s journey to India.
What you need to know
Pet Travel to India – What You Need to Know
India’s pet import process can be straightforward when the paperwork and timings are right – but delays can happen if documents are missing, vaccinations are out of date, or the arrival clearance isn’t prepared correctly.
1) Quarantine rules (and what usually happens on arrival)
India does not typically impose routine quarantine for healthy pets arriving with correct documentation, but pets are examined by the authorities on arrival and may be held for observation if there are concerns (for example, incomplete paperwork or clinical concerns). The Animal Quarantine and Certification Service (AQCS) also notes that final clearance may be issued after a post-arrival observation period if needed.
2) No Objection Certificate (NOC) and entry clearance
For many pet moves, an AQCS No Objection Certificate (NOC) is part of the clearance process. AQCS guidance indicates advance NOC can be issued within 7 days before arrival based on advance copies, with originals checked at arrival.
3) Vaccinations (rabies and core vaccines)
Dogs and cats (3 months+) must be vaccinated against rabies more than 1 month, but within 12 months prior to embarkation, with details recorded on the official health certificate. Your vet will also advise the right core vaccines for your pet’s age and health status (and what India expects to see recorded).
4) Health certificate and UK export paperwork (DEFRA / APHA)
Pets travelling from Great Britain to India require the appropriate Export Health Certificate process (for India, the UK government provides EHC guidance and application routes).
5) Owner details and declarations
AQCS requirements include that the owner’s name on the health certificate matches travel documents, and that the certificate includes owner addresses and a declaration that the pet is a bona fide pet with no commercial intent.
6) Typical timeline (realistic planning)
While every journey is different, most clients should plan for:
- Vaccination checks and updates (especially rabies validity windows)
- Export Health Certificate timing with an Official Vet
- Arrival clearance / NOC timing
- Flight availability and safe routing
PetAir handles the paperwork, airline compliance, veterinary scheduling, and travel logistics – so you’re not piecing together rules across multiple agencies.
Why PetAir?
Why Choose PetAir UK for Pet Flights to India
- 100% vet-led service with in-house vets and qualified veterinary nurses.
- 20+ years of experience and over 33,000 pets flown safely.
- Custom-built, IATA-approved pet travel cabins sized perfectly to your pet.
- Dedicated travel coordinators who manage every stage of the move.
- Transparent, all-inclusive quotes – no hidden costs.
- 1-to-1 veterinary support through our Vet-Led Travel Prep service.
- Flexible budgeting through Pet Travel Payment Plans.
- Extra reassurance with our Pet Travel Care Tags.
- Consistently high customer satisfaction, strong testimonials and global airline partnerships.
With PetAir UK, your pet’s safety and wellbeing always come first. To learn more about why you should choose PetAir, click here.
The PetAir Process
Step-by-Step Pet Travel Process
- Get a Quote – tell us your pet’s details, destination city, and preferred travel window.
- Consultation with our veterinary team – welfare-first guidance on fitness to fly and travel planning.
- Travel prep and documentation – vaccinations, Export Health Certificate process, and arrival clearance planning.
- Travel cabin preparation – IATA-compliant pet travel cabin matched to your pet’s size and comfort needs.
- Flight day and tracking – calm, coordinated handling and proactive updates. Learn more about our tracking process here, on the CareTags page.
- Arrival support and onward travel – guidance for clearance, collection, and onward transport where needed.
Learn more about the process of relocating your pet with PetAir in our blog here.