How to export a cat from the Maldives to India

General Information: Imports of Pet Animals may be through Cargo as well as part of Passenger baggage.

This article talks about taking two cats as Passenger baggage in the cabin (not as Cargo) from Maldives to Mumbai, India. Special thanks for this article to Dr. Tripta Kaur, who did everything possible to export her adopted cats from the Maldives to Mumbai!

The cat owner flew with 1 cat in Economy Class, and the Mother of Cat owner flew with the other cat in Business Class.

If the pet is travelling in the cargo hold, the following documents will be also be required:

• A copy of the owner/caretaker's passport
  
• A copy of the owner/caretaker's e-ticket
  
• A copy of the airway bill
  

General Information: The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries oversees the importation of pets into India.

Step-by-step Guide

What do you begin with?

You start with the vaccination of cats: Rabies & RCP ("Tricat"). Read more details below.

When do you have to start the documentation process?

The Pet Owners travelling to India are advised to initiate the import authorisation application process at least 2 months in advance of the travel dates.

Who can import cats from Maldives to India?

Unofficial note: You can take a cat from Maldives to India if you’re planning to leave the country. India doesn’t allow import and re-export.

Official note:

• "Proof of two years of stay abroad. 
  
• Proof of transferring residence to India. 
  
• Required- Visa copy/other document to establish continuous stay abroad for at least two years with proof of transferring the residence to India.”
  

How many cats can you take from Maldives to India?

Unofficial note: You will most likely have no difficulties exporting up to 2 cats. More than 2 cats can become a problem and require additional permits.

Official note:

• “Up to 2 pets: Import is allowed as passenger baggage, without DGFT authorisation, only to persons transferring their residence to India after two years of continuous stay abroad. Only cats and dogs can be imported under baggage rules.

Import authorization from DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) is required if:
i. the period of continuous stay abroad is less than 2 years, or
ii. the pet is not being transported as passenger baggage, or
iii. pet cannot be imported under the baggage rules

• More than 2 pets: Import authorization from DGFT is required. Prior to grant of an import authorisation, shall be submitted for examination based on the justifications along with supporting documents to DAH&D.”

Read more about this here.

Which kind of cats can you take from Maldives to India?

Official note: “The declaration from the owner that the dog/cat is bonafide pet with no commercial interest, gift and breeding purpose.”

Unofficial note: You’re flying with your PET CAT, and you must be the owner of the cat. Don’t say you’re flying with “stray cats”.  You can not have any commercial interest, gift and breeding purpose.

You need to be the owner of the pet.

Official note: “The name of owner in the official health certificate must match with the name as mentioned in the ticket of owner to establish ownership.
The name and address of the owner in the country of origin and in the country of arrival (import) must be mentioned on the health certificate."

What is the minimum age of cats that can be taken from Maldives to India?

You cannot travel with cats under 12 weeks of age. Since the rabies vaccination can only be given at age of 12 weeks, and you need to wait for 30 days for the antibodies to build up, your cat will be minimum 4 months old when flying.

Which airline allows pet cats to travel from Maldives to India?

Official note: Import of pet animals is allowed only through airports and seaports of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Kolkata.

Unofficial note:
Cats can only be taken on DIRECT flights from Maldives to India, hence MLE – Bombay, MLE – Delhi!
AIR INDIA is the only Airline that allows cats to be brought on the flight from Maldives to India (and: only if the Captain allows it, which he most likely will)

Maldivian.aero will start direct flights to Bangalore soon – hence it would be worth to ask them if they allow to carry cats at all!

Do you require vaccinations before flying?

Yes.

Official note: “The dog (three months of age and older) and Cat must be vaccinated against Rabies more than one month, but within 12 months prior to actual embarkation and all details shall be officially certified or mentioned in the official Health certificate. Also all other vaccination record/detail shall be officially certified or mentioned in the official Health Certificate.”

Unofficial note: From experience, we recommend you to vaccinate the cat against Rabies (1 vaccine), and also against RCP (“Tricat”), which requires 1 vaccine & 1 booster 3-4 weeks later). At or before the first vaccine, please do microchip the cat. This acts as an additional proof that the vaccines were indeed given to the particular cat that is flying. Vaccinating against RCP ("Tricat") ensures that you have proof of protection against Feline Rhinotracheitis, Feline Calicivirus and Feline Panleukopenia!

Make sure that there are at least 30 days between the last required vaccination and flying.

Here is some information about the "Tricat" vaccine for cats!

Documents required

 ... from the Indian side:

General Information: The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries oversees the importation of pets into India.

Important link: http://aqcsindia.gov.in/import-of-pets-under-baggage.html

There are generally 3 Indian Authorities which you have to get permits (no-objection certificates) from, and the sequence has to be followed:

1. Indian Import-Export Authority
   
2. Airport Authority of the Airport you’ll be landing at
   
3. Airline clearance

Ad 1) The Indian Import-Export Authority

Go to the Indian Import/Export Authorities Website to obtain a NOC (no-objection certificate).

Official note:
"This online application may be submitted on the DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) Website (https://dgft.gov.in) by navigating to → Services → Import Management System → Import Authorisation of Restricted Items → Apply for a new Authorization"

Unofficial note:
There will be an Online form to fill, and it costs around 500-600 Rupees (payable online only). This has to be filled and sent to them. They will email you back.
Make sure you start this process early – at least 2 months prior to flying!

A duplicate copy of the NOC has to be fixed on the crate of the pet during the air travel.

Original copy of the NOC has to be produced in India to get the pet released from the customs at the Airport in India.

Ad 2) Airport Authority at the airport you'll be landing at

With the above obtained NOC, you will have to contact the Airport Authority of the Airport you’ll be landing at:
"A No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Regional Officer/ Quarantine Officer (AQCS) of the ports has to be obtained, with the previously received import license issued by the DGFT and a copy of Health Certificate issued by the Veterinarian of the exporting country (see more info below).
This NOC needs to be obtained from the Regional Officer/ Quarantine Officer seven days before the date of travel."

Useful contacts:
Contact details of the main locations of Animal Quarantine and Certification Service Stations, part of the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries

• New Delhi
  

At: Kapashera (Crossing), New Delhi 110 001
Tel: + 91 11 2506 3272

• Mumbai
  

At: Cargo Terminal Building, Phase I, Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Sahar, Mumbai 400099
Tel: +91 22 2682 8194

Ad 3) Airline clearance

Unofficial note: An Airline Declaration form has to be filled 2 weeks before flying and mailed to the Air India Manager.

... from the Maldivian side:

General Information: The Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture oversees the exportation of pets from Maldives.

From the Maldivian side, there are two types of Documents you will require:

1) A “Health Certificate”

Unofficial note: This is is basically the proof of vaccination, and a veterinarian’s note that the cat is free of clinical signs for diseases.

Official note: “The official health certificate from the country of origin certifying that the cat is free from clinical sign and symptoms of all infectious and contagious diseases including Rabies, Distemper, Feline enteritis, Feline panleukopenia, leptospirosis etc.”

Unofficial comment by the NGO: Feline enteritis = Feline Panleukopenia = Feline Distemper. Leptospirosis is a disease in dogs. 

Make sure the cat is vaccinated against Rabies and RCP ("Tricat")! Vaccinations need to be stamped & signed by a licensed veterinarian; the sticker of the vial is put into the health passport. Date of vaccination & date of next vaccination have to be entered.

Official note: “The cat (three months of age and older) must be vaccinated against Rabies more than one month, but within 12 months prior to actual embarkation and all details shall be officially certified or mentioned in the official Health certificate. Also all other vaccination record/detail shall be officially certified or mentioned in the official Health Certificate.”

Unofficial note: There’s an Annexure 2.1.1. “Veterinary Health Certificate for Import of Pet Cats into India” (Link) which has to be signed by a licensed Veterinarian. Together with the proof of vaccination, you will be safe to travel.

2) An Export Permit 

“LIVE ANIMAL EXPORT PERMIT APPLICATION FORM” from the Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture (MoFA), signed and stamped by the Director of the Ministry.

A copy of valid national id card of passport of the owner has to be attached, as well as the original pet passport (vaccination card) of the animal to be exported.

After arrival in India (information to be confirmed)

On arrival in India, an appointment to be fixed with the Quarantine Officer for issue of a temporary Health Certificate on examination of the pet.

30 days thereafter a certificate of health to be obtained from a local veterinarian to be produced at the Animal Quarantine Station. Then, the pet will be issued a permanent certificate of health for his/her stay in India. People intending on arriving with their pets as accompanied luggage will need to have an agent apply for this certificate before they enter the country. It is required to be obtained in person and cannot be applied for online.

The NOC document takes about 5 working days to obtain. Documents required for NOC are:
- All vaccination records of the pet.
- Government issued veterinary certificate from the exporting country
- Flight details / confirmation of the passenger's travel into India / Copy of the airway bill (if pet is travelling as Cargo)
- Veterinary Certificate

Quarantine
India does not generally quarantine cats from countries with no or low incidences of rabies that have been vaccinated from Rabies (no fewer than 30 days prior to travel and no more than one year) and distemper (= feline panleukopenia = feline enteritis).

It is rare for a pet to be quarantined, but when it does happen, it will last for between 30 days and three months.

Useful links

Public Notice 1: Pet Animal NOC process

Public Notice 2: Pet Animal NOC process

Indian Customs Regulations