Microchip first
An ISO 11784/11785 15-digit microchip must be implanted BEFORE the rabies vaccination. If the chip is read-only or a different standard, the receiving authority may not register it — get the ISO chip done first.
Pet Relocation from India to the USA: Cost, Process
Relocating a pet from India to the USA is a 3 to 4 month, CDC-regulated process, not a same-week booking. Your pet needs an ISO 15-digit microchip implanted before its rabies vaccination, a valid rabies serology titer (RNATT) drawn at least 30 days after the shot, and an export endorsement from India's government veterinarian (AQCS) before it flies. Because the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) classes India as a dog-rabies high-risk country, a dog also needs the CDC Dog Import Form receipt and must arrive at one of a few approved airports; without a valid titer, it must spend time in a CDC-registered animal-care facility that includes a 28-day quarantine (current as of 2024, subject to CDC updates).
This page owns the pet India to USA lane specifically. For the wider household move see the India to USA corridor; for how the service works across all routes see international pet relocation. Pets travel by air as manifested cargo with an AQCS-certified specialist handling the crate, the export NOC and the airport facility booking door-to-door, and are never shipped inside your ocean household container. Get a route estimate in ₹ with the cost calculator.
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India is a CDC high-risk country — can your pet enter?
Yes, but only with extra proof. The CDC lists India as a dog-rabies high-risk country, so a dog cannot simply fly in. Under the 2024 CDC rules, every imported dog must be at least 6 months old, have an ISO microchip, and arrive with a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. From a high-risk country there are two compliant paths: arrive with a valid rabies serology (RNATT) titer from a CDC-approved lab and clear at a CDC-registered animal-care facility, or — without a valid titer — complete a facility stay that includes a 28-day quarantine. Either way the dog must land at one of the CDC-approved airports (ATL, LAX, MIA, JFK, IAD or PHL) and the facility must be reserved in advance.
Cats are different: the CDC dog-import rules and the Dog Import Form do not apply to cats, though cats still need full export and health paperwork plus any destination-state requirements. These figures are current as of 2024 and subject to CDC updates — confirm the airport and registered-facility list against the CDC page before you book.
Eligible if:
- Dog is ≥6 months old, has an ISO 15-digit microchip, and a valid rabies vaccination
- Valid rabies serology (RNATT) titer from a CDC-approved lab (the no-quarantine path), drawn ≥30 days after vaccination
- A reserved CDC-registered animal-care facility at one of the 6 approved airports (ATL/LAX/MIA/JFK/IAD/PHL)
- CDC Dog Import Form submitted and its receipt carried for the flight (dogs only)
Not allowed:
- Arriving without a valid titer means a CDC-registered facility stay that includes a 28-day quarantine
- Flying a dog in-cabin into the USA on this lane — it moves as manifested cargo, not as a cabin pet
- Shipping any pet inside the ocean household-goods container — pets travel by air only
⚑ Airport and registered-facility lists are current as of 2024 and change — verify with the CDC "Bringing an Animal into the United States" page before booking.
Documents and the vet timeline
Rabies vaccination + RNATT titer
Rabies vaccination after the chip, then a blood draw for the serology (RNATT) titer at least 30 days after vaccination, tested by a CDC-approved laboratory. The titer wait is what makes the whole process take months.
AQCS government-vet endorsement
For an India-origin dog, the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip is endorsed by INDIA'S official government veterinarian at the Animal Quarantine and Certification Service (AQCS) — not a USDA-accredited vet. USDA endorsement is for US-origin exports, the opposite direction.
Export NOC + health certificate
AQCS issues the export No-Objection Certificate and the international health certificate close to travel. Cats need the export and health paperwork too, even though the CDC Dog Import Form does not apply to them.
CDC Dog Import Form (dogs)
Submitted online before travel; carry the receipt for the flight. Pair it with a confirmed booking at a CDC-registered animal-care facility at one of the approved airports.
IATA-compliant crate
A rigid IATA Live Animals Regulations travel crate sized so the pet can stand, turn and lie down. Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds face airline embargoes — confirm acceptance with the carrier early.
The 3-4 month process, step by step
Month 1
Microchip, then vaccinate
Implant the ISO 15-digit microchip first, then give (or boost) the rabies vaccination. The order matters — a vaccination recorded before the chip can invalidate the paperwork.
Month 1-2
Draw the RNATT titer
At least 30 days after the rabies shot, draw blood for the serology (RNATT) titer and send it to a CDC-approved lab. Plan around the lab turnaround — this wait drives the timeline.
Month 2-3
Book the airport facility and flight
Reserve a CDC-registered animal-care facility at one of the approved airports (ATL/LAX/MIA/JFK/IAD/PHL) and book the manifested-cargo flight. Submit the CDC Dog Import Form for dogs.
Month 3-4
AQCS endorsement and fly
Get the AQCS government-vet endorsement, export NOC and health certificate close to departure, crate-train the pet, then fly as manifested cargo. Clearance happens at the registered facility on arrival.
Indicative pet relocation cost, India to USA
Indicative ₹ ranges by pet size, India-origin. Final quotes depend on the airline cargo rate, crate size, the CDC-registered facility fee and any quarantine days — share your pet's details for an exact figure.
| Move | Our price | Market | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat | ₹97,500 – ₹1,52,000 | 3–7 days | |
| Small | ₹1,10,000 – ₹1,71,000 | 3–7 days | |
| Medium | ₹1,40,000 – ₹2,19,000 | 3–7 days | |
| Large | ₹1,83,000 – ₹2,85,000 | 3–7 days |
How pets actually travel: cargo vs cabin, and dog vs cat
| Question | Dog (India to USA) | Cat (India to USA) |
|---|---|---|
| Travel mode | Manifested air cargo only — not in-cabin on this lane | Manifested air cargo (small cats sometimes in-cabin only where the airline allows; not via the household container) |
| CDC Dog Import Form | Required — carry the receipt | Not required (CDC dog rules do not apply to cats) |
| High-risk-country titer / facility | Valid RNATT titer for the no-quarantine path, or a facility stay including a 28-day quarantine | Not subject to the CDC dog facility rule; still needs export and health docs |
| Approved-airport entry | Yes — ATL/LAX/MIA/JFK/IAD/PHL (current as of 2024) | Follow the airline routing and destination-state rules |
| Government endorsement | AQCS (India's government vet) — not USDA | AQCS export NOC and health certificate |
Use an AQCS-certified pet-relocation specialist
Pet relocation India to USA is too regulation-heavy to self-manage. An AQCS-certified specialist sequences the microchip, vaccination and RNATT titer in the right order, books the CDC-registered facility and manifested-cargo flight, and handles the AQCS export endorsement and IATA crate door-to-door. Get an estimate in ₹ with the cost calculator, then compare verified movers for Delhi and Mumbai origins.
Pet relocation India to USA: common questions
Can my dog enter the USA from India?
Yes, but with extra proof because the CDC lists India as a dog-rabies high-risk country. Under the 2024 rules a dog must be at least 6 months old, microchipped, and arrive with a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. You either bring a valid rabies serology (RNATT) titer and clear at a CDC-registered animal-care facility, or, without a valid titer, complete a facility stay that includes a 28-day quarantine. Entry is via an approved airport such as ATL, LAX, MIA, JFK, IAD or PHL. These rules are current as of 2024 and can change, so confirm against the CDC page.
How long does it take to move a pet from India to the USA?
Plan 3 to 4 months. The main delay is the rabies titer, which is drawn at least 30 days after vaccination and then sent to a CDC-approved lab. On top of that you reserve a CDC-registered airport facility, book the manifested-cargo flight, and get the AQCS export endorsement close to travel. Starting late is the most common reason a move slips.
Can my pet fly in the cabin with me to the USA?
On the India to USA lane the dog travels as manifested air cargo, not in the cabin, because the airline routing plus the CDC high-risk-country facility and airport requirements rule out the in-cabin path. A specialist arranges an IATA-compliant crate and the cargo booking. Pets are never shipped inside your ocean household-goods container.
Who endorses the pet paperwork in India?
India's official government veterinarian at the Animal Quarantine and Certification Service (AQCS) endorses the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip and issues the export No-Objection Certificate and health certificate. This is not a USDA-accredited vet — USDA endorsement is for pets exported from the USA, the opposite direction.
Are the rules different for cats?
Yes. The CDC dog-import rules and the CDC Dog Import Form do not apply to cats. Cats still need the AQCS export NOC and health certificate, an IATA-compliant crate and any destination-state requirements, and they fly by air, never inside the household container. Snub-nosed breeds may face airline embargoes, so confirm acceptance early.