Pet Transport from India to the United States

The CDC divides countries into standard-risk and high-risk for dog rabies. India falls into the high-risk group. For dogs coming from high-risk countries, the CDC requires proof that the rabies vaccination was administered by a USDA-accredited veterinarian or at a CDC-recognised foreign laboratory. If that condition is met, the dog can enter the USA without quarantine. If it is not met, the dog must undergo a 28-day quarantine at a CDC-registered facility in the USA, at the owner’s cost. Source: CDC, cdc.gov/importation.

The CDC maintains a list of approved foreign rabies vaccination laboratories. As of 2024, the list includes specific laboratories in certain countries. Check the current list at cdc.gov/importation before vaccinating, as it is updated periodically. Many owners in India vaccinate their dogs at a standard Indian vet without checking this list first, which creates a problem at the US border.

All dogs entering the USA must have a completed CDC Dog Import Form filed electronically before travel, regardless of origin country. This is a separate requirement from the airline’s own documentation. The form is completed at cdc.gov/importation and is linked to the dog’s vaccination record and entry details.

The Indian export side of this move requires an AQCS (Animal Quarantine and Certification Services) No-Objection Certificate, applied for through the regional AQCS office nearest your departure city. Offices are in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. Allow 4-6 weeks for the NOC process. The health certificate for US entry must be in USDA APHIS format, prepared by an Indian official vet and endorsed by AQCS. Two clinical examinations are required: the first approximately 7 days before departure, the second within 2 days of travel. The certificate is valid 14 days from issue.

For cats, there are no federal US import requirements beyond what your airline specifies for cargo. Airlines typically require a health certificate for cats travelling as cargo. Check with your specific carrier well in advance.

An IPATA-registered pet transport agent based in India is the most practical resource for managing the AQCS process, the USDA health certificate format, and the CDC form coordination simultaneously. Errors in any one of these three elements can cause problems at the US border.

All pet transport on India-USA international routes is cargo only. There is no cabin pet option on any long-haul India-US sector. Your pet will travel in a pressurised, temperature-controlled hold in an IATA-compliant crate. Non-stop options include Air India on Delhi-New York and Mumbai-New York routes. American Airlines, United Airlines, British Airways via London, and Emirates via Dubai provide connecting options to a wider range of US cities.

Book cargo space well in advance. Live animal cargo capacity is limited and managed separately from passenger bookings. Some carriers require the CDC Dog Import Form reference to be provided at cargo check-in for dogs from high-risk countries. Your agent can confirm the exact requirements of your chosen carrier.

Temperature restrictions apply seasonally. Both India and the USA have periods of extreme heat that can trigger embargoes on live animal cargo. Check restrictions for your travel date, particularly for summer months.