Page 49 - ELT_1st September 2020_Vol 373_Part 5

Customs Circulars and Public Notices

Pets/Live Animals — Procedure revised for import
Subject : Revised procedure for Import of Pets/Live Animals - Regarding.
Attention is invited to Board’s Circular 9/2002-Cus., dated 30-1-2002
[2002 (140) E.L.T. (T17)], 94/2002-Cus., dated 23-12-2002 [2003 (151) E.L.T. (T18)],
15/2013-Cus., dated 8-4-2013 [2013 (290) E.L.T. (T13)] and 25/2013-Cus., dated 1-
7-2013 [2013 (293) E.L.T. (T35)]. 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 15-7-2020 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 India 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 Indian
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 India 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 :

EXCISE LAW TIMES  1st September 2020  49