The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has issued Circular No. 11/2026-Customs dated 16th March 2026 to facilitate the import of pet dogs and pet cats belonging to Indian nationals stranded in war-affected countries in the Middle East. The circular has been issued in coordination with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) to address the difficulties faced by stranded Indians who may not be able to complete all standard pre-export formalities for bringing their pets back to India.
The facilitation measure has been introduced as a one-time relaxation considering the extraordinary circumstances prevailing in the conflict-affected regions. Normally, import of pets into India requires compliance with various pre-export health certification and documentation requirements under the existing livestock import regulations. However, due to the emergency situation in the Middle East, stranded Indian nationals may not be able to fulfil these requirements prior to travel. Therefore, the government has allowed temporary relaxation to enable them to bring their pet dogs and cats to India.
Under the pre-import conditions, pet owners must provide a declaration confirming that the pet dog or cat has been residing with them for at least one month prior to travel. They are also required to produce available vaccination records such as a vaccination certificate, pet book, or pet passport indicating the vaccination history. In cases where pets are brought from nearby neighbouring countries, owners are advised to have the animals examined by veterinary authorities of those countries wherever such facilities are available at the airport or nearby.
The circular also prescribes certain post-import procedures to ensure compliance with animal health and quarantine norms in India. Pet dogs or cats arriving with a valid veterinary health certificate and vaccination details issued by authorities of neighbouring countries will be granted clearance by the Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS) at the airport after examination of documents and clinical inspection of the animals. Similarly, pets arriving with updated vaccination certificates will also receive AQCS clearance after due verification and clinical examination.
In cases where the vaccination record is incomplete or the last vaccination is overdue by up to fifteen days, or where no veterinary health certificate is available, the animals will be vaccinated against rabies at the port of entry. The cost of such vaccination will be borne by the owners. After vaccination and clinical examination by AQCS authorities, the pets will be allowed entry into the country.
The circular further provides that if any abnormality is detected during the clinical examination, the pet may be placed under quarantine at the concerned AQCS facility. All expenses related to quarantine, including vaccination, medication, and other charges, will be borne by the owner as per applicable rates.
It has also been clarified that this facilitation measure is temporary and exceptional in nature and will not be treated as a precedent for future imports. The relaxation has been granted specifically to assist Indian nationals stranded in conflict-affected areas to safely bring their pets back to India during the present emergency situation.
Field formations have been advised to issue suitable trade and public notices to inform airlines, carriers, and other stakeholders about the facilitation measures and to provide appropriate instructions to customs officers for smooth implementation. Any difficulties encountered in implementing the circular may be reported to the Board for further guidance.
The Circular can be accessed at: https://taxinformation.cbic.gov.in/view-pdf/1003311/ENG/Circulars
