Indian customs revises procedure for importing live or pet animals

August 12, 2020: Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) on Monday released a circular with the revised procedure for importing pets or live animals into the country which is in line with the new procedures introduced by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) under the ministry of fisheries on July 15, 2020.

"For "Ease of Understanding and Doing Business" as well as streamlining the complete process of import of live animals into India by the importers, the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); Process for import; Application Form for obtaining advance No Objection Certificate from AQCS; Veterinary Health Certificate format to fulfil Indian requirements; format for advance No Objection Certificate; format for Physical Examination of Pet at the port of arrival; format for Physical Examination of the pet/animals during Quarantine period at AQCS; format for final No Objection Certificate, etc. have been standardized for import of live animals including pets into India and are annexed herewith. The details of post-import tests and name of laboratories where required tests will be done has also been mentioned," reads the DAHD notice.

"The concerned AQCS will inspect only those documents which pertain to veterinary health requirements. The other documents/ licenses, which are required under various rules & regulations of other Departments including Customs, shall be inspected by the Customs authorities," it continued.

1. In the scenario of maximum two pets (cats & dogs only) along with the passenger and availing transfer of residence after 2 years of staying abroad, the baggage rules, 2016 are to be complied with. Further, health certificate and NOC's are to be obtained by the passengers. The flights will not allow the travel until and unless the NOC's are not presented to them.

2. In the scenario of re-importing pets by passengers, NOC is to be attained. A health certificate is to be attained from the veterinary, along with the old veterinary certificate.

3. In other scenarios, the health certificate is to be acquired from the veterinary, along with the NOC and permission from the DGFT.