Import of Pets under Baggage
IN DDT 2081 dated 09/04/2013 we had mentioned the following -
"BOARD has re-examined the present policy of import of two pets by passengers. It has been decided to allow import of two pet animals as baggage only to persons transferring their residence to India after two years of continuous stay abroad in terms of Baggage Rules 1998 subject to production of the required health certificate from the country of origin and examination of said pets by the concerned Quarantine Officer at this end. This new dispensation shall come into force with effect from 15th April 2013. Import of animals (pets) in general would continue to be governed by DGFT policy.
Board's Circular No. 94/2002 - Customs dated 23.12.2002 stands modified. That circular mentioned only cat and dog. The present circular does not mention the animals."
It appears that the said Circular has not gone down well with the cats and dogs who had already been imported into India and who were later taken abroad by their masters only to return along with them.
Simply put, the question that was begging for an answer was what should be done in respect of re-import of pets at airports.
The Board has received several representations from pet keepers in the matter of problems being faced in re-import of their pets.
So, the Board says that re-import of pets is NOT covered by the Pet Circular dated 08/04/2013.
However, the Board clarifies that re-import of pets as baggage is allowed subject to establishment of identity of pets by Customs authorities, production of the required health certificate from the country of export and examination of said pets by the concerned Quarantine Officer at this end.
As to how the Customs authorities would establish identity of the pets being re-imported is not mentioned and how concerned should be the Quarantine Officer is also not forthcoming from the Circular.
Probably, the Customs officers should hunt for a cut on the eyebrow or a limp or for that matter go in for a retina scan or something of this kind to establish the identity of the pets that were imported in the first place.
Interestingly, the Board has a premonition that ‘difficulties' would be faced and hence have instructed the authorities concerned to bring them to the notice of the Board immediately - immediately meaning after the difficulty is experienced rather than foreseen.
Meow…
Circular No. , Dated: July 1, 2013