How to fly to India with a dog or cat: import permit, documents and airline options

From messages by 5 participants in 1 source · Last activity: 8 days ago

TL;DR

Bringing a pet to India requires a DGFT import licence plus microchip, vaccination and veterinary paperwork. The permit may take around three months, so a direct flight to Delhi and early document preparation can reduce transit risks.

What the community said

Start with a DGFT licence, the import authorisation used for customs clearance of a pet. It can take about three months when the paperwork is complete; the animal needs a microchip, vaccinations and corresponding entries in its veterinary passport.

8 days ago DGFT licence — around 3 months

For travel to India, a direct flight to Delhi, such as Aeroflot, is recommended, with veterinary certificates arranged in advance for both the departure country and India. Connecting flights can be risky because a pet may be refused at one stage of the itinerary.

8 days ago Direct Aeroflot flight to Delhi

Allow from 20 days for paperwork if microchipping, vaccinations and certificates are already in place, up to six months if starting from scratch. For domestic Indian flights, Air India and Akasa are mentioned, but pets may have to travel in the hold rather than the cabin.

8 days ago Air India and Akasa; preparation: 20 days–6 months