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Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
(Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs)
Circular No.35/2020-Customs
Room No.229B, North Block, New Delhi,
Dated the 10th of August, 2020
To,
All Principal Chief Commissioners/ Chief Commissioners of Customs/ Customs (Preventive),
All Principal Chief Commissioners/ Chief Commissioners of Customs & Central tax,
All Principal Commissioners/ Commissioners of Customs/ Customs (Preventive),
All Principal Commissioners/ Commissioners of Customs & Central tax,
Madam/Sir,
Subject: Revised procedure for Import of Pets / Live Animals - reg.
Attention is invited to Board’s Circular 9/2002-Cus dated 30.01.2002, 94/2002-Cus dated 23.12.2002, 15/2013-Cus dated 8.4.2013 and 25/2013- Cus dated 1.7.2013. The above Circulars have laid out a process relating to import of Pet / Live Animals including cat and dog in various scenarios such as import by passengers in general, import by passengers under Transfer of Residence in terms of Baggage Rules 1998, Re-import etc.
2. Now the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) has issued Office Memorandum dated 15.07.2020 vide F. No. L-110110/26/2019- Trade(E-14194) prescribing procedure for import of Live Animals in general and also for import of pets (only Dogs and Cats) as baggage/Personal imports by Passengers. The Relevant portion is reproduced for ease of reference:
“for "Ease of Understanding and Doing Business" as well as streamlining the complete process of import of live animals into lndia by the importers, the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); Process for import; Application Form for obtaining advance No Objection Certificate from AQCS; Veterinary Health Certificate format to fulfill lndian requirements; format for advance No Objection Certificate; format for Physical Examination of Pet at port of arrival; format for Physical Examination of the pet/animals during Quarantine period at AQCS; format for final No Objection Certificate, etc. have been standardized for import of live animals including pets into lndia and are annexed herewith. The details of post-import tests and name of laboratories where required tests will be done, has also been mentioned”
3. The DAHD has also clarified that:
the concerned AQCS will inspect only those documents which pertain to veterinary health requirements. The other documents/ licenses, which are required under various rules & regulations of other Departments including Customs, shall be inspected by the Customs authorities”.
4. In view of above revised SOP & modified forms, with the approval of competent authority, it has been decided to withdraw circulars mentioned in para 1 with immediate effect
5. It has further been decided that the following procedure shall be followed for clearance of pets/live animals including cats and dogs:
5.1 Following steps may be kept in mind by the importers/Airlines before arrival for import of Pet/Live Animals to ensure quicker clearance:
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Scenario
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Procedure to be adopted before arrival
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| 1
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Maximum of 2 Pets (only dog and cat) brought with passengers eligible and availing Transfer of Residence after 2 years stay abroad. |
1. Passenger to ensure eligibility about transfer of residence under Baggage Rules, 2016
2. Passenger to obtain Veterinary Health Certificate from Country of Export as per the above said O.M. (For Ease of Reference, Format from the said O.M is given as Annex 1 & 2 for Dogs and Cats respectively.)
3. Passenger to apply for advance NOC to AQCS and obtain the same.
4. Airline will not lift the live animals until advance NOC from AQCS is obtained by the passenger.
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| 2
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Re-Import of pets by passengers
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1. Passenger to ensure that he possesses copy of earlier Veterinary Health Certificate for export issued by AQCS India.
2. Passenger to obtain veterinary Health Certificate from Country of Export as per the above said O.M. (For Ease of Reference Format from the said O.M is given as Annex 1 & 2 for Dogs and Cats respectively.)
3. Passenger to apply for advance NOC to AQCS and obtain the same.
4. Airline will not lift the live animal until advance NOC from AQCS is obtained by the passenger. |
| 3
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All cases other than those mentioned at Sl. 1 & 2 above including:
i. Pets brought by the passengers for short stay.
ii. Import of Commercial Dogs for Commercial purpose (For R&D purpose with
recommendation of CPCSEA/Security purpose).
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1. Importer to obtain Veterinary Health Certificate from Country of Export as per format in the above said O.M
2. Importer to obtain Import License from DGFT.
3. Importer to apply for advance NOC to AQCS and obtain the same.
4. Airline will not lift the live animal until advance NOC from AQCS is obtained by the Importer.
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5.2 On arrival, the Customs Officers shall allow clearance only based on final NOC provided by
AQCS after the examination of said pets/live animals and production of DGFT license and/or clearance
of WCCB, wherever applicable. For the procedures related to clearance by AQCS, the above said O.M
referred in para 2 may be referred to.
6. These instructions may be brought 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 filed officers.
7. Difficulties faced, if any, may be brought to the notice of the Board immediately.
F.No.401/21/2020-Cus.III
(Ananth Rathakrishnan)
Deputy Secretary(Customs)
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