Planning to travel with your furry companion from Portugal to India? Whether you’re visiting for a short visit, returning with your pet, or relocating permanently to India. This guide breaks down the Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS) requirements and DGAV procedures to ensure a smooth journey for you and your pet.
AQCS: is an Indian government agency responsible for overseeing all import and export movements of goods.
DGAV: is a government agency that ensures all import/export movement from and to Portugal.
Get the Latest document from AQCS:
Here are the following easy steps:
To ensure latest import guidelines, you can send mail to AQCS department(for delhi: aqcsnr-dadf@nic.in) to explain about your journey date and purpose of your travel whether it is short visit or permanent relocation. They will reply to all documents required by DGAV and local veterinary doctors. I will share the document as well for your reference.
Here are the following criteria for the import of pets in India, you need to prepare your document accordingly:
Case 1. Transfer of Residence
When you will send mail to the AQCS office, then they will send you mail with documents format required to be filled and signed by DGAV and Local Veterinary.
- Annexure-1.1.1: This is the “Veterinary Health Certificate for Import of Pet Dogs into India,” which you have filled out and signed by a DGAV officer.
- Annexure-1.1: This is a health certificate format given by AQCS, you have to fill it with a local issued by within 10 days of travel. I would recommend getting it on the same day when you go to the Dgav office to get an import certificate.
- Declaration Form: This is a self declaration form where you have to fill your pet details along with address and applicable category based on your travel plan(Transfer of Residence, Re-import, Short Stay).
NOTE: Before filling application, please make sure that you are eligible for Transfer of Residence (Proof of two years overseas stay and visa cancellation/relocation proof)
Case 2: Re-import(As per Circular No. 25 / 2013-Customs)
You have to prepare all the documents mentioned in case 1. Additionally, you need to mail a copy of the earlier Veterinary health certificate for export issued by AQCS India.
Case 3. For Short Stay in India (Under DGFT)
Along with all the documents mentioned in the re-import category, additionally, you have to get an export license from DGFT.
Schedule Flight
Once you’ve planned your travel date then First, talk to the customer agent via call or chat and discuss the travel date, then they will tell you which flight number you can choose that allows pets in the cabin or cargo.
Ideally, I would prefer to book from the Lufthansa website(PetC – pet in cabin). Once the flight is booked, you can chat/call an agent and add a pet to your ticket.
In Cabin[pet upto 8kg]:
- The total weight of the travel bag, including your pet, must not exceed 8 kg.
- The travel bag’s maximum size is 118 cm ~55 x 40 x 23 cm (Length x Breadth x Height).
- I purchased a travel bag from Amazon, you can buy a similar bag online or at a nearby pet store.
In Cargo[pet more than 8kg]:
- You cannot travel with your pet in cargo if it belongs to snub-nosed animals like Lhasa Apso, Shitzu, chow chow, etc. During the flight, they can have trouble breathing due to high temperature and stress. As a result, your pet could suffer serious health problems during the journey.
- Some airports like Munich, don’t accept cargo hold on connecting flights.
- To identify your pet’s crate, put a collar with the pet’s name and your contact information, as well as a label on the crate.
- Place a favorite toy or other item with familiar smells in your pet’s carrier.
Get DGAV export documents:
First you need to register and fill a form with your pet details and journey date at Certifica+. Once you register on Certifica+ then they will send you mail from the applicable municipality based on your address. Before 10 days of your journey, you can call your suitable DGAV office to get an appointment. You can try to get an appointment in the afternoon.
On the day of the DGAV appointment, on the same day, you have to visit your local veterinary clinic to get a health certificate(Mod 1452-DGAV) and also fill and sign Annexure-1.1(issued by AQCS).
Then you have to go DGAV office with the following documents:
- Issued and signed Mod 1452-DGAV
- Annexure-1.1.1(fill and signed with DGAV officer)
- Certificado Veterinário Para Exportação De Cães E De Gatos Como Animais De Companhia Para A Índia (issued by DGAV officer)
- Impresso n.º 1 Cães – Condições de regresso a Portugal (anexar ao pedido de certificado) (issued by DGAV)
For me, I live in Almada so I went to DGAV Setubal.
Get NOC from AQCS:
Once you will get all the documents signed and attested then you have to send mail to AQCS office to get NOC. I usually send mail on the same day when I got all the documents from DGAV.
Following documents you need to send to AQCS:
- Flight ticket
- Passport
- Residence card
- Annexure-1.1
- Annexure-1.1.1
- Impresso n.º 1 Cães – Condições de regresso a Portugal (anexar ao pedido de certificado)
- Certificado Veterinário Para Exportação De Cães E De Gatos Como Animais De Companhia Para A Índia
- Export license from DGFT(in case of short stay)*
- Proof of two years overseas stay and visa cancellation/relocation proof*
Within 2-4 days, the AQCS team will send a copy of the NOC which you can show at the airport to the customs officer.
Note: On the same day or next day you have to visit the AQCS office for final checkup of your pet and get the final NOC which will be required when you will be asked at the airport when you will go back to Portugal.
Bonus Tips for a Smooth Journey
- Start Early: Begin preparations at least 3-4 months before travel
- Rabies Timing: Ensure rabies vaccination timing meets the 30-day minimum but doesn’t exceed 12 months
- Confirm pet availability in Flight: When possible, book direct flights to minimize stress.
- AQCS Entry Points: Ensure arrival at an airport with AQCS facilities (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, or Hyderabad).
- Be sure to carry your Rabies Titration Test results. They remain valid as long as your pet’s rabies vaccinations are kept up to date.
References:
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- https://content.dgft.gov.in/Website/dgftprod/e39e7e41-b6e2-4d5b-ba89-99850e1a71f1/Trade%20Notice%2022%20-%20Import%20of%20Pets.pdf
