Facilitation in Import of Pet Dogs and Cats for Stranded Indians in War-Hit Middle East Countries · 11/2026-Customs

401/21/2020-CUS. Ill 1/142503/2026 Circular No. 11/2026-Customs F. No.401/21/2020-Cus.lll Government of India Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue (Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs)

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Room No. 16049, Kartavya Bhavan-01, New Delhi 16-03-2026 To All (Pr.) Chief Commissioners of Customs/Customs(Preventive)/ Customs & Central Tax, All (Pr.) Commissioners of Customs/Customs (Preventive), All (Pr.) Director Generals under CBIC. Madam/Sir, Subject: Facilitation in import of pet dogs and pet cats along with stranded Indians in war-hit Middle East countries - regarding.

Attention is invited to the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) Office Memorandum dated 12.03.2026, issued from File No. L- 110102(1)7222/2021- trade (E-20510), on the above cited subject (Copy enclosed).

The DAHD has informed that considering the unique and extraordinary situations in war-hit Middle East countries wherein pre-export requisite formalities to export of pets into India may not be fulfilled, the import of pet dogs and / or pet cats along with stranded Indians, is being facilitated as one time relaxation measure. The Relevant portion of the O.M. is reproduced for ease of reference:

(1). Pre - Import conditions: (i) . The declaration of the owner that the pet dogs and / or pet cats is residing with him / her at least for the past one month. (ii) . The owner should produce the pet vaccination certificate / pet book / pet passport indicating the history of the vaccination. The requisite vaccinations due / delayed shall also be considered. (Hi). In case the pet dog and / or pet cat is lifted from nearby neighboring countries, then the owners are advised to get the pet animals checked from the veterinary authorities of respective country, in case available at airport or nearby.

i/142503/2026 401/21/2020-Cus.lll (2). Post- Import conditions: (i) . The pet dog and / or pet cat which are being imported with proper official veterinary health certificate with vaccination details issued by nearby neighbouring countries shall be given final Animal quarantine and certification Services (AOCS) clearance from the airport, after examination of documents and clinical examination by AQCS. (ii) . The pet dog and / or pet cat which are being imported with proper updated vaccination certificate shall be given final Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS) clearance from the airport, after examination of documents and clinical examination by AQCS. (Hi). The pet dog and / or pet cat which are being imported with vaccination certificate / pet book / passport and the last vaccination is not completed and is due / delayed by 15 days, or the pet dog and / or pet cat which are being imported without any veterinary health certificate or vaccination certificate, shall be vaccinated for rabies (cost to be borne by the owners as per actual) at the port of entry and be given final Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS) clearance from the airport, after examination of documents and clinical examination by AQCS.

(3) Cost of quarantine: In case of any abnormal findings during clinical examination by AQCS, the pet to be quarantined at concerned AQCS and all the expenditures towards post-import quarantine of pet dog and/or pet cat including quarantine charges, vaccinations, medications etc. shall be borne by the owners as per actual /prevailing applicable charges by AQCS at minimal.

Further, the OM has mentioned that this facilitation will not be considered and quoted as a precedent in future as this circular is issued for facilitating entry of pet dogs and/or pet cats belonging to stranded Indian nationals from the war zone by the Government of India. It is also mentioned that for applicable requirements of other Departments or agencies such as DGFT, Customs etc for import of pet dogs and/or pet cats into India, the concerned Department or agency may consider to take appropriate action in this regard.

3. The above facilitation measure by DAHD may be brought to the notice of the trade / airlines / carriers by issuing suitable Trade / Public Notices. Suitable Standing order / instructions may be issued for the guidance of the field officers.

4. Difficulties faced, if any, may be brought to the notice of the Board

5. immediately. Hindi version follows.

OSD (Cus-lll) Email: uscus.3-dor@qov.in Copy to: - (for information and necessary action)

1. The Webmaster, CBIC.

Fi le No: L- 1'l 0 1 02(1)1 2221 2021 -rrade (E-205 1 0) 8T{ds*fiR Government of lndia EIFFI qroEI, qgcrd-d 3it{ ffi d?rtrq Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying cercrild3it{}qfi8fir4 Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying 7fr r+a, a-S fffir- i'1 o oo1, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi-'l'10 001, kai+/ Dated the 12h March, 2026. OFFICE ME RANDUM Subject: Facilitation in import of pet dogs and pet cats along with stranded lndians in war-hit Middle East countries - regarding.

ln exercise of the power conferred by the Live-stock lmportation Act, 1898, this Department regulates import of livestock which are liable to be affected by infectious or contagious disorders. The procedures for import of livestock into lndia has been notified vide S.O. 1495, dated 11th June, 2014. Further, the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS) for import of live animals into lndia were issued vide this Department's O.M. dated 15 July 2020.

2. Considering unique and extraordinary situations in war-hit Middle East countries wherein pre-export requisite formalities to export of pets into lndia may not be fulfilled, the import of pet dogs and / or pet cats along with stranded lndians, is being facilitated as one time relaxation measure as under;

(1). Pre - lmport conditions: (i). The declaration of the owner that the pet dogs and / or pet cats is residing with him / her at least for the past one month. (ii). The owner should produce the pet vaccination certificate / pet book / pet passport indicating the history of the vaccination. The requisite vaccinations due / delayed shall also be considered. (iii). ln case the pet dog and / or pet cat is lifted from nearby neighbouring countries, then the owners are advised to get the pet animals checked from the veterinary authorities of respective country, in case available at airport or nearby.

(2). Post- lmport conditions: (i). The pet dog and / or pet cat which are being imported with proper official veterinary health certificate with vaccination details issued by nearby neighbouring countries shall be given final Animal euarantine and certification Services (AOCS) clearance from the airport, after examination of documents and clinical examination by AQCS. Page 1 of 3

(ii). The pet dog and / or pet cat which are being imported with proper updated irl".i"rt[. ceiiticate stritt ue given final Animil Quarantine and Certification Se*ic.s (AOCS) clearance tro"m tne airport' after examination of documents and clinical examination bY AACS (iii). The pet dog and / or pet cat which are being imported with vaccination I"iin""i" I pet b-ook / passport and the last vaccination is not completed and is or" i-J"l"vLa by 15 bays, or ine pet dog- and / or q:t cat which are being ffi"rtJ ;ifi;rt'any veterinary neatin certi-Rcate or vaccination certificate, shall be vaccinated for rabies lcost'to be borne by the owners as per actual) at.the Dort of entry and be given finai Rnimat Qujrantine and Certification Services Aiiiai;i;;,;;"" t.i' tn" "i'po't, attet ex"mination of documents and clinical examination bY AQCS.