Pet Transport from Finland to India

Moving a pet from Finland to India involves more paperwork than most owners expect. This route is one of the most demanding international pet transport routes. Start preparations …

26-32 wks

Preparation needed

None

Quarantine on arrival

Very High

Route complexity

Managed

Full door to door

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Step by step

The import process, in full

First step - must be done before any vaccinations.

Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)

Responsible: Your veterinarian

After microchip. 30-day wait before next steps.

Rabies vaccination

Responsible: Your veterinarian

Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 30-day wait after successful result.

Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory)

Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory

Apply early: allow 4-6 weeks

Apply for import permit from India

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.

Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)

Obtain official veterinary health certificate

Responsible: Official veterinarian

3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin

Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk

Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk

Immediately on arrival (mandatory)

Quarantine on arrival (30 days)

Responsible: India quarantine authority

Checklist

What your pet needs

Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.

Microchip

Required (ISO 11784/11785)

Rabies vaccination

Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 30-day wait after vaccination before travel

Rabies titre test

Required. Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 30-day wait from test date before entry

Quarantine

Mandatory quarantine. 30 days. Facility: AQCS quarantine facility. 30-day quarantine at designated facility.

Import permit

Required. Issued by: Animal Quarantine and Certification Services. Permit issued by AQCS or State Animal Husbandry Department.

Health certificate

Required. Issued by: Official veterinarian. Valid for 14 days from issue. Must include all vaccination and test details.

Export permit

{'required': False}

Health certificate

EU pet passport valid for EU movement. AHC for non-EU export.

We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your Finland to India move gets missed.

Pet Transport Global

Airlines

Carriers on this route

Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know every carrier policy for this corridor.

Air India

Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 5kg with carrier). Cargo: Larger pets via Air India Cargo. Breed restrictions apply. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat on Indian domestic sectors

Cabin and Cargo

Emirates

Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region)

Cargo Only

Lufthansa

Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round

Cabin and Cargo

British Airways

Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Book through approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any route.

Cargo Only

Singapore Airlines

Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons

Cargo Only

Cathay Pacific

Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be met

Cargo Only

Air France

Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for larger pets. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes

Cabin and Cargo

KLM

Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM Cargo. Temperature restrictions apply. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo

Cabin and Cargo

Costs

What this route typically costs

Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)

IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)

Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate

Rabies titre test laboratory fee

Import permit application fee (India)

Quarantine facility fees (owner-paid at destination)

Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)

Critical points

Mandatory quarantine required on arrival. Plan for separation from your pet.

Import permit must be obtained before travel. Apply well in advance.

Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.

Understanding India's pet import rules

This is one of the more demanding international pet transport corridors. India runs a strict biosecurity programme and there are no shortcuts through it.

All pets must complete quarantine on arrival in India (at AQCS quarantine facility) for 30 days. This is non-negotiable and is entirely separate from the pre-travel preparation.

Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS) regulates imports. Requirements are complex.

Things to sort before you book

Microchip first, then vaccinate. The microchip must be implanted before any rabies vaccination for the vaccination to count. It’s the most common and costly mistake people make.

Book the titre test laboratory well in advance. Approved labs have limited appointment slots and the blood sample processing takes time. Don’t leave this to the last few weeks.

Get the health certificate from an official (government-approved) veterinarian, not just your regular vet. Some countries have strict requirements about who can sign the certificate. Check the destination authority’s approved list.

If this is your first international pet move, consider using a registered pet transport agent. They handle the documentation, airline booking, crate sizing, and can troubleshoot issues. IPATA-registered agents are the recognised standard.

FAQ

Common questions

Allow at least 26 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.

Yes, quarantine is mandatory in India. Your pet will stay for 30 days at AQCS quarantine facility on arrival. This is non-negotiable and the cost is paid by the owner.

Yes, a rabies titre test is required. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after your pet’s rabies vaccination, and there is a 30-day waiting period after a successful result before your pet can enter India. Start this process as early as possible.

Yes, an import permit is required from India’s authority (Animal Quarantine and Certification Services). Apply before you book your flight. The permit specifies conditions your pet must meet and must be obtained in advance.

Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in Finland. The certificate must be issued within 14 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check India’s authority for the exact format required.

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Airline guides

Breed guides

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Pet Transport from Finland to India

The import process, in full

What your pet needs

Carriers on this route

What this route typically costs

Critical points

Understanding India's pet import rules

Things to sort before you book

Common questions

Move your pet

Airline guides

Breed guides

Get a free pet transport quote