Pet Travel from India Step-by-Step: AQCS NOC, Rabies Titer & Transit Flights

1. The AQCS India Export Clearance Process

Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS), operating under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, is the sole statutory authority empowered to issue international veterinary export clearance for companion animals departing the Republic of India.

Regional AQCS quarantine stations are located in Delhi (Kapashera), Mumbai (Navi Mumbai), Kolkata, Chennai, and Bengaluru. Pet parents must present their companion animal for a mandatory physical clinical examination between 2 to 7 days prior to flight departure. You must provide complete vaccination booklets with original holographic manufacturer vaccine stickers, ISO 11784/11785 microchip certificate, destination import permits, and airline airway bill reservations.

The clinical examination certifies that the companion animal is completely free from clinical signs of infectious disease, rabies, and external parasites. The physical AQCS export certificate is issued with the official Government of India red seal and authorized quarantine officer signature.

2. Rabies Titer Testing from India & Observation Clocks

Because India is classified as a high-rabies territory by international biosecurity agencies (including the European Commission, UK DEFRA, and Australian DAFF), an approved rabies titer test (FAVN / RNATT) with a minimum titer of ≥ 0.50 IU/mL is mandatory for most destinations.

Because there are currently limited international reference laboratories located within India recognized for EU/Australia RNATT certification, blood serum samples are routinely drawn by accredited private veterinarians in India and couriered to approved overseas reference laboratories (such as Kansas State University in the United States or ANSES in France).

For entry into the European Union and the United Kingdom, a mandatory 90-day (3 calendar months) observation waiting period starting from the date of blood draw is strictly enforced before the pet can board an international flight.

For Australia, companion animals originating in India cannot fly directly; they must complete a mandatory 180-day residency in an approved Group 1/2/3 country (such as the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, or the UK) before receiving Australian import permit approval. See our pet travel to Australia guide for details.

3. Airline Corridors & Manifest Cargo Routing from India

Navigating airline pet policies from India requires careful planning. Air India permits small companion pets (under 5 kg total weight including compliant soft carrier) in the passenger cabin on select non-stop international flights.

For medium and large dogs, major international carriers including Lufthansa (via Frankfurt Cargo Hub) and Air France / KLM (via Paris Charles de Gaulle) offer premier temperature-controlled live animal cargo transit with specialized on-site animal lounge holding facilities during layovers. Make sure your carrier meets IATA pet crate specifications.

For relocation to the United Kingdom, UK DEFRA regulations strictly mandate that all companion animals must arrive as manifest cargo through designated Border Control Posts (such as London Heathrow HARC or London Gatwick), preventing in-cabin or excess baggage transport into Great Britain (see UK dog import requirements).

For travel to the United States, owners must comply with the August 2024 CDC Dog Import Regulations, including obtaining a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, microchipping prior to rabies vaccination, and ensuring the pet is at least 6 months of age.