Taking Your Dog to India
Current 2026 checklist for U.S. travelers, including India health certificate rules, DGFT/AQCS approvals, quarantine, and return-to-U.S. steps.
Requirements for Bringing Your Dog to India
ISO Microchip
India’s USDA-endorsed dog health certificate includes the dog’s microchip number as the identifying number. Use a 15-digit ISO 11784/11785 microchip so the dog can be reliably identified on export and re-entry paperwork.
Implant before rabies vaccination and before the health certificate is issued.Rabies Vaccination
Rabies vaccination is required for dogs more than 3 months of age. The USDA-endorsed India dog certificate requires the rabies vaccine to be administered within the manufacturer’s validity period and recorded with vaccine name, batch number, and validity dates.
Must be current on the date of travel; vaccinate after microchip implantation.Core Vaccinations
India’s official USDA dog certificate also requires current vaccination details for canine distemper, canine parvovirus, and leptospirosis.
Must be within the manufacturer’s recommended validity period at the time the certificate is issued.Rabies Titer Test
A rabies antibody titer test is not listed as a standard import requirement for pet dogs entering India on the current USDA/India dog health certificate and APHIS India pet travel guidance.
Not required for standard pet import from the United States under current guidance.Health Certificate
Your dog needs the country-specific Veterinary Health Certificate for Export of Dogs from the United States of America to India, completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS. A printed paper copy must travel with the dog. The certificate states it is valid for 30 days after issuance.
Exam and certificate issuance should be completed close to departure; certificate validity is 30 days from issue.Import Permit / DGFT Authorization
For pets temporarily traveling to India, APHIS states India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) requires a DGFT license before obtaining the No Objection Certificate. India’s Trade Notice advises pet owners to begin the import authorization process at least 2 months before travel.
Start at least 2 months before travel for temporary entry; processing may take about 1 month.Advance No Objection Certificate (NOC)
All pets entering India must obtain an advance No Objection Certificate from the Animal Quarantine and Certification Station (AQCS). APHIS says the NOC generally takes about 5 working days. India’s Trade Notice says it should be obtained 7 days before travel, relaxable up to 3 days depending on circumstances.
Apply after you have the required supporting documents; obtain about 7 days before travel.Parasite Treatment
No routine parasite treatment requirement is specified in the current USDA India dog certificate or APHIS India pet travel page for standard pet dog entry.
Not listed as a standard requirement, but your veterinarian may still recommend preventive treatment.Quarantine Period
On arrival, the Quarantine Officer examines the dog and reviews the veterinary certificate and vaccination records. Pets imported as accompanied or unaccompanied baggage are quarantined for 15 days if documents are in order. Dogs entering for temporary visits may be exempt from the 15-day quarantine if the owner presents the required temporary-visit documents, including passport/pet book/health card, owner passport, visa, return ticket, health certificate, and proof of purpose of visit.
15 days on arrival unless the dog qualifies for the temporary-visit exemption.Banned Breeds
No breed-specific ban was identified in the official USDA APHIS India pet travel guidance, the current India dog health certificate, or India’s DGFT Trade Notice for pet import. Airline breed restrictions may still apply.
Check your airline before booking.Estimated Costs
| Item | Cost(USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary exam | $75-150 | Typical private-practice exam fee in the U.S.; your vet sets the price. |
| Rabies vaccination | $25-60 | Only if your dog is not currently vaccinated or the vaccine will expire before travel. |
| Core vaccine updates | $30-120 | May be needed if distemper, parvovirus, or leptospirosis vaccines are not current. |
| Microchip | $25-75 | If your dog does not already have a compliant microchip. |
| USDA health certificate endorsement | $101-160 | APHIS fee is $101 when no lab tests are required; $160 if 1-2 lab tests are required. India’s standard pet dog paperwork does not normally require a rabies titer test. |
| DGFT import authorization | $0-50 | Official government fee was not clearly published in the sources reviewed; budget for application-related administrative costs if using an agent. |
| AQCS No Objection Certificate (NOC) | $0-50 | Official fee was not clearly published in the sources reviewed; some travelers may incur courier or agent costs. |
| Airline pet fee | $140-350 | Air India lists USD 140 for pets in cabin on short-haul international routes and USD 350 for pets as checked baggage on short-haul or medium-haul international routes. Pets are not allowed on nonstop Air India flights between the U.S. and India, except certified service dogs. |
| Total | $396-1,005 |
Returning to the US with Your Dog
India is on CDC’s list of high-risk countries for dog rabies. If your dog has been in India during the 6 months before returning to the United States, the return rules depend on where the dog’s rabies vaccine was given. All dogs entering the U.S. must be at least 6 months old, appear healthy on arrival, have a microchip, and have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. If your dog was vaccinated against rabies in the United States before travel, you must leave the U.S. with a USDA-endorsed Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form; since July 31, 2025, a USDA-endorsed export health certificate issued after that date is no longer accepted instead of this CDC form. If your dog was vaccinated outside the United States and has been in India within the last 6 months, CDC requires the stricter foreign-vaccinated high-risk-country process, including a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility before entry. Because CDC rules are document-sensitive, confirm the exact pathway before your return flight and keep the microchip and rabies records consistent across every document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need both a USDA health certificate and an Indian NOC to bring my dog to India?
Yes. India requires the country-specific USDA-endorsed dog health certificate, and APHIS states pets entering India also need an advance No Objection Certificate from the Animal Quarantine and Certification Station (AQCS).
How far in advance should I start the India dog import process?
For temporary travel, start at least 2 months before departure. India’s DGFT Trade Notice advises pet owners to begin the import authorization process at least 2 months in advance, and APHIS notes DGFT processing may take about 1 month.
Is a rabies titer test required for dogs entering India from the United States?
Not under the current standard APHIS/India pet dog guidance reviewed for U.S. travelers. India’s current USDA dog health certificate requires current rabies vaccination and certain core vaccines, but it does not list a rabies antibody titer as a standard requirement.
Will my dog be quarantined on arrival in India?
Usually, pets imported as accompanied or unaccompanied baggage are quarantined for 15 days after arrival if the documents are in order. Dogs entering for a temporary visit may be exempt if the owner presents the required temporary-visit documents and the AQCS accepts the exemption.
Does India require a specific microchip format?
The official India dog certificate requires the dog’s microchip number to appear on the paperwork. Using a 15-digit ISO 11784/11785 microchip is the safest choice for international travel and for matching U.S. and India documents.
Can my dog fly in the cabin from the U.S. to India on Air India?
No on nonstop Air India flights between the U.S. and India. Air India states pets are not allowed on nonstop flights between the U.S. and India, except certified service dogs. On other eligible international sectors, cabin travel may be allowed if route rules and weight limits are met.
How long is the India dog health certificate valid?
The current USDA Veterinary Health Certificate for Export of Dogs from the United States of America to India states that the certificate is valid for 30 days after issuance.
What do I need to return to the U.S. after visiting India with my dog?
At minimum, your dog must be at least 6 months old, microchipped, healthy on arrival, and have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Because India is a CDC high-risk country for dog rabies, you may also need either the USDA-endorsed Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form or the stricter foreign-vaccinated high-risk-country entry process, depending on where your dog’s rabies vaccine was administered.