Pet Transport from the Netherlands to India
Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities. How we source our data →
Moving a pet from the Netherlands to India is one of the more involved international pet relocations a European owner will face. India requires a pre-approved AQCS import permit, the official Dutch health certificate must be endorsed by the Indian Embassy in The Hague, and your pet must arrive through the specific port declared on the permit.
Start planning at least twelve weeks out. The permit application, embassy endorsement, and cargo booking all have lead times that cannot be shortened. KLM is the most logical airline for this route given its Amsterdam Schiphol hub.
Working with a registered pet transport agent (IPATA-member) is strongly recommended for first-timers on this route.
The Netherlands to India process
Responsible: Your veterinarian
Responsible: Your veterinarian
Responsible: You or your pet transport agent
Responsible: NVWA-authorised official veterinarian (Netherlands)
Responsible: You
Responsible: You or your pet transport agent
Responsible: You and cargo team
India: entry requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before rabies vaccination. |
| Rabies vaccination | Required. Current vaccination within validity period. Certificate must show vaccine type, batch number, and date of administration. |
| Rabies titre test | Not routinely required for pets from the Netherlands. AQCS reserves the right to require titre testing. Verify before booking. |
| Quarantine | Arrival inspection of 24-48 hours standard at AQCS quarantine station. Can extend to 7 days if documents are queried. |
| Import permit | Required. Apply to India's Animal Quarantine and Certification Service (AQCS) at aqcsindia.gov.in. Must specify port of entry. Apply 6-8 weeks before travel. |
| Health certificate | Official veterinary health certificate from NVWA-authorised vet in the Netherlands. Must be endorsed by the Indian Embassy or consulate before departure. |
Export requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | {'required': False} |
| Health certificate | Official veterinary health certificate required. Issued by an NVWA-authorised official veterinarian in the Netherlands. Must be endorsed by the Indian Embassy in The Hague or Indian Consulate in Amsterdam before travel. |
What this route typically costs
| 1 | Airline cargo fee (Amsterdam to Indian cities, based on pet weight and crate) |
| 2 | IATA-compliant hard-sided crate |
| 3 | Veterinary fees: microchipping, vaccination, official health certificate |
| 4 | AQCS import permit application fee |
| 5 | Indian Embassy endorsement fee |
| 6 | Arrival inspection or quarantine fee (if applicable) |
| 7 | Pet transport agent fee (recommended) |
Read before you book
Airlines on this route
India AQCS permit: the non-negotiable first step
India’s Animal Quarantine and Certification Service (AQCS) at aqcsindia.gov.in must issue an import permit before your pet travels. Apply 6-8 weeks before your travel date. The permit specifies your port of entry in India. You must arrive at that exact port. Mumbai (BOM), Delhi (DEL), Chennai (MAA), and Bangalore (BLR) all have AQCS quarantine facilities.
If your plans change after the permit is issued, contact AQCS immediately to request an amendment or new permit.
Dutch health certificate and Indian Embassy endorsement
Your pet’s official health certificate must be issued by an NVWA-authorised official veterinarian in the Netherlands. The NVWA (Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority) maintains a register of authorised vets at nvwa.nl.
After the official cert is signed, take it to the Indian Embassy in The Hague or the Indian Consulate in Amsterdam for endorsement. Book an appointment in advance. Allow a full working week for processing. The endorsed original must travel with your pet.
KLM Cargo from Schiphol to India
KLM Cargo at Amsterdam Schiphol is one of the most well-equipped operations in Europe for pet cargo. Direct KLM services fly to Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai. For Bangalore and other cities, connections via Delhi or Mumbai are common.
Book cargo space through the KLM Cargo department (not the passenger desk). Confirm your IATA crate meets KLM’s current specifications for the route. Temperature-controlled holds are standard on KLM’s wide-body fleet.
Arrival in India: AQCS inspection
On arrival, your pet and all documents go to the AQCS quarantine checkpoint. A 24-48 hour inspection is standard. If any document is missing or incorrect, the inspection period can extend to 7 days.
Whoever receives the pet in India should be briefed on the AQCS process and ready to pay any applicable inspection fees promptly. Delays can be reduced by having a complete and correctly endorsed document set.
Common questions
Start your journey
Get Your Free Quote
Enter your pet's details and route
Quotes are tailored to your specific journey.