Taking Pet Cats and Dogs from Sri Lanka to India

As per the current quarantine regulations of importing pets to India, there are 03 ways of transporting your pets from Sri Lanka to India;

1. The ‘Accompanied Baggage Rule’
2. The ‘DGFT License rule’ – We are unable to take this up at the moment
3. The ‘Home-coming Rule’, the pet must have relocated from India and is returning back.

Let’s take each approach one by one.

Under the ‘Accompanied Baggage Rule’ – To fly the pets from Sri Lanka into India under this regulation, the following conditions must be fully satisfied:

1. The owner should have stayed abroad continuously for at least two (02) years, preceding the date of entry into India.
2. The total number of short trips to India (If any) preceding the date of entry into India should not exceed 180 days
3. Should be coming to India on Transfer of Residence basis or on a Work Permit
4. The pet can come into India only after 30 days of Rabies and DHLPPi/FRCP vaccination.
5. India does not accept 3 year vaccinations. Pets should be within 1 year validity of the vaccination.
6. Only two pets are allowed per family.
7. If the Pet has to arrive as ‘Manifest Cargo’, he/she has to arrive within 30 days of the owners landing in India.

Here are the documents which are required for you to travel with your pet (cat or dog) from Sri Lanka to India under the “Accompanied Baggage” regulation

1. Your Passport copy
2. Resignation letter from your previous company (In case of changing your employment)
3. Offer letter from a company based in India (In case of changing your employment)
4. Transfer letter to India, clearly stating that you have been assigned to work in India ( For Internal Transfer)
5. An experience letter from your employer for having worked abroad in Sri Lanka for the last two years and or more
6. Copy of overseas Visa (Sri Lanka) for the last two years (For Indian Passport Holders)
7. Copy of Indian Employment E-Visa (For Foreign Nationals)
8. OCI/PIO Card (For Indian Origin foreign nationals )
9. Declaration form to be endorsed by the Indian Embassy or Consular Officer or Notary from the Exporting country. (We will share the format)
10. In the last two (02) years, if you have undertaken any short visits to India, We would require the dates as well as number of days of your stay in India. (We will send the format)
11. Letter to Quarantine officer describing your reasons to move and request for an NOC to bring your pet to India (We will send a format letter)
12. Declaration For Import/reimport of pets under baggage rule (We will share Format)
13. Undertaking for Provisional clearance of imported livestock under home quarantine ( Will share Format )
14. Proof of movement of Household goods. (Copy of Bill of Lading/AWB for having shipped your household goods)
15. Cancellation of resident permit (For certain Countries)
16. Complete Vaccination history of the pet and ISO 15 digit microchip implantation details.
17. Health certificate of pet issued by the Official Veterinarian of that country (This may be valid for 10 days)
18. Animal Health certificate for import of dog/cat into India (To be endorsed by the Official Veterinarian) (We will send the format)
19. 4 photographs of the pets – 1 on either side, 1 head shot and 1 casual shot (walking, playing, sitting)
20. Export Permit / Sri Lanka International Veterinary Health Certificate issued by the Government of Sri Lanka.
21. Flight information/ Travel Itinerary with confirmation of space booked for the pet(s). (If pet is travelling as ‘Accompanied Baggage’)
22. Original passport will be required two (02) working days prior to arrival of the pet if the pet is arriving as ‘Manifest Cargo’
23. Formal letter addressed to India Customs and Airlines (Will be prepared by us on receipt of above documents)

Documents Required To Fly Pet Into India Under Homecoming Rule

1. Your Passport copy
2. Resignation letter from your previous company (In case of changing your employment)
3. Offer letter from Indian company (In case of changing your employment)
4. Transfer letter to India, clearly stating that you have been assigned to work in India ( For Internal Transfer)
5. An experience letter from your employer for having worked abroad for the last two years and more (If Applicable)
6. Copy of overseas Visa for the last two years (For Indian Passport Holders)
7. Copy of Indian Employment E-Visa (For Foreign Nationals)
8. OCI/PIO Card (For Indian Origin foreign nationals )
9. Declaration form to be endorsed by the Indian Embassy or Consular Officer or Notary from the Exporting country. ( We will send the format)
10. In the last 2 years, if you have undertaken any short visits to India, We would require the dates as well as number of days of stay in India. (We will send the format)
11. Letter to Quarantine officer describing your reason to move and request for NOC (We will send a format letter)
12. Declaration For Import/reimport of pets under baggage rule ( Will share Format)
13. Undertaking for Provisional clearance of imported livestock under home quarantine ( Will share Format )
14. Proof of movement of Household goods. (Copy of Bill of Lading/AWB for having shipped your household goods)
15. Cancellation of resident permit (For certain Countries)
16. Complete Vaccination history of the pet
17. Health certificate of pet issued by the Official Veterinarian of that country (This may be valid for 10 days)
18. Animal Health certificate for import of dog/cat into India (To be endorsed by the Official Veterinarian) (We will send the format)
19. 4 photographs of the pets – 1 on either side, 1 head shot and 1 casual shot (walking, playing, sitting)
20. Export Permit (If Applicable)
21. Flight Info with confirmation of space blocked for the pet. (If pet is travelling as ‘Accompanied Baggage’)
22. Original passport will be required 2 working days prior to arrival of the pet if the pet is arriving as ‘Manifest Cargo’
23. Formal letter addressed to Customs and Airlines (Will be prepared by us on receipt of above documents)
24. The Health certificate and other corresponding certificates issued by the AQCS office at the time of export of pet out of India