Pet Travel Requirements for India

Travelling with your pet to India involves careful preparation and coordination to meet the country’s import and vaccination requirements. With SkyPaws UK managing the veterinary, documentation, and customs process, you can be confident that your pet’s journey will be safe, compliant, and stress-free.

Below is an overview of what’s required to bring your dog or cat into India from the UK.

 
🐾 Microchip
Your pet must be microchipped with an ISO-compliant 15-digit microchip before any vaccinations are carried out.
As microchipping is now a legal requirement for all cats and dogs in the UK, most pets already meet this condition.

 
🎂 Age
All pets must be at least 3 months old to receive a rabies vaccination and to qualify for entry into India.

 
💉 Rabies Vaccination
A valid rabies vaccination is mandatory for entry into India.

It must be given at least 30 days before travel.
The vaccination is valid for up to 12 months for most entry points.
Different rabies vaccines can have varying validity periods and some should not be administered alongside other vaccines.
SkyPaws will advise which vaccine is most appropriate for your pet and destination airport to avoid any last-minute issues or delays.

 
🩺 Routine Vaccinations
🐶 Dogs
Dogs must be vaccinated against:

Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus (DHP)
Parainfluenza (Pi)
Leptospirosis (L)
These vaccinations must be completed at least 30 days before travel.
They are generally valid for 12 months, although some Indian airports will accept the DHP vaccine for up to 3 years — SkyPaws will confirm this based on your destination.

🐱 Cats
Cats must be vaccinated against:

Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia (RCP)
These vaccinations must also be completed at least 30 days before travel and are valid for 12 months.

 
📔 Vaccination Record
After each veterinary visit, your vet must:

Attach the vaccine vial stickers to your pet’s vaccination card.
Clearly note the date administered and next due date.
Ensure both owner and pet details are fully recorded.
Accurate and complete vaccination documentation is essential for import approval in India.

 
🧳 Travel Itinerary & Eligibility
Before your pet can be approved for entry, you’ll need to provide:

A copy of every page of your passport, showing your travel history.
Confirmation that you’ve spent no more than 180 days in India within the past 2 years (exceptions may be reviewed on request).
Details of your pet’s travel history for the last 2 years.
When booking flights, owners must:

Travel on the same flight as their pet or prior to their pet’s travel date.
If travelling beforehand, your pet must fly within 30 days of your departure and arrive at the same airport.
SkyPaws will guide you through these timing and documentation requirements to ensure a smooth approval process.

 
🤝 Agent Support in India
It is now mandatory to use a licensed pet shipping agent in India to complete the No Objection Certificate (NOC) and manage customs clearance on arrival.

SkyPaws works closely with a trusted agent in India who can:

Apply for your pet’s NOC import permit.
Coordinate clearance at your arrival airport.
Ensure safe handover or onward delivery after customs release.
We’ll introduce you directly to our partner agent once your booking is confirmed.

 
🩺 Two Veterinary Checks Before Departure
Your pet must complete two veterinary health checks in the week leading up to travel:

First Vet Check (7 Days Before Departure):

A full health examination is carried out.
An Export Health Certificate is issued.
Your Indian agent uses this certificate to apply for the NOC (Import Permit).
Second Vet Check (Within 48 Hours of Departure):

Another health check and updated Export Health Certificate are completed to confirm your pet remains fit to fly.
SkyPaws’ own veterinary team can handle both appointments and ensure all documentation aligns perfectly with Indian import regulations.

Once complete — your pet is ready to travel.

 
🌏 Ready to Plan Your Pet’s Move to India?
Let SkyPaws UK take care of every detail — from vaccinations and export certificates to NOC approval and customs clearance.
Our experienced team ensures your pet’s relocation is safe, compliant, and stress-free from start to finish.

Contact us today:
📧 [email protected]
📞 +44 (0)1202 980200
💬 WhatsApp: +44 (0)7798 772441