The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), through Circular No. 11/2026-Customs dated March 16, 2026, has introduced a one-time facilitation measure to allow stranded Indian nationals returning from war-hit Middle East countries to import their pet dogs and cats into India. The relaxation has been granted following an Office Memorandum issued by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), considering the extraordinary circumstances in which pre-export formalities may not be possible. Under the measure, pet owners must declare that the pet has lived with them for at least one month and produce available vaccination records such as a pet passport, pet book, or vaccination certificate. Even if vaccinations are delayed or documentation is incomplete, clearance may still be granted after clinical examination and necessary rabies vaccination at the port of entry. Final clearance will be issued by Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS). Any quarantine expenses due to health concerns will be borne by the owner. The relaxation is strictly a one-time measure.
F. No.401/21/2020-Cus.III
Government of India
Ministry of Finance,
Department of Revenue
(Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs)
Circular No. 11/2026-Customs | Dated: 16th March 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)1222/2021-trade (E-20510), on the above cited subject (Copy enclosed).
2. 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.
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.
(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.
(iii) 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Difficulties faced, if any, may be brought to the notice of the Board immediately.
Hindi version follows.
Your faithfully
(Anshuman Yadav)
OSD (Cus-III)
Email: uscus.3-dorC@gov.in
Copy to: – (for information and necessary action) 1. The Webmaster, CBIC.
File No: L-110102(1)1222/2021-Trade (E-20510)
Government of India
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying
Krishi Bhawan. New Delhi-110 001.
Dated the 12th March, 2026.
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Facilitation in import of pet dogs and pet cats along with stranded Indians in war-hit Middle East countries – regarding.
In exercise of the power conferred by the Live-stock Importation 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 India has been notified vide S.O. 1495, dated 11th June. 2014. Further, the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for import of live animals into India 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 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 as under:
(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.
(iii) In 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- 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 (AQCS) 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.
(iii) 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.
3. With regard to applicable requirements of other Departments or Agencies such as Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Customs etc. for import of pet dogs and / or pet cats into India, the concerned Department or Agency may consider to take appropriate decision in this regard.
4. This facilitation will not be considered and quoted as a precedent in future. As the situation in Middle East countries is changing fast and in dynamic flux with lots of uncertainty, this O.M. is issued for specific and unique moment for facilitating entry of pet dogs and / or pet cats belonging to stranded Indian nationals from the war zone by the Government of India.
5. This issues with the approval of the competent authority.
(Dr. Gaaan Gara)
Joint Commissioner (Trade)
To,
All Regional Officers / Quarantine Officers
Animal Quarantine Certification Services
Delhi / Mumbai / Bengaluru / Chennai / Kolkata / Hyderabad.
Distribution for kind information and necessary action to;
1) Foreign Secretary. Ministry of External Affairs. South Block, New Delhi. Email: psfs@mea.gov.in
2) Commerce Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi. Email: csoffice@nic.in
3) Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation. Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, New Delhi. Email: secy.moca@nic.in
4) Director General, Directorate General of Foreign Trade. Vanijya Bhawan. New Delhi. Email: dgft@nic.in
5) Joint Secretary (Customs), Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs, Department of Revenue, New Delhi. Email: jscus@nic.in
6) Director (Customs), Department of Revenue (dircus@nic.in)
7) NIC, DAHD with a request to upload on the Department and AQCS’s website.
Copy also for kind information to;
1) PS to the Hon’ble Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
2) PS to the Hon’ble Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (SPSB).
3) PPS to the Secretary, DAHD.
4) PPS to the Additional Secretary (VJ), DAHD.
