Mandatory requirement of advance NOC (Clearance) from AQCS, Bangalore for all livestock Including pet animals (Dog & Cat) - Reg. - Customs - 16/2013

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS P.B.NO.5400, C R BUILDING, QUEENS ROAD, BANGALORE-560 001 C. No. VIII/48/69/2012 Cus Tech PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 16/2013 DATED 06.05.2013 Sub: Mandatory requirement of advance NOC (Clearance) from AQCS, Bangalore for all livestock Including pet animals (Dog Cat) - Reg. The Quarantine Officer, Animal Quarantine and Certificate Service (AQCS), Bangalore International Airport, has brought to the notice of this Commissionerate that Airlines are booking/lifting the livestock without confirming the fulfillment of stipulated/notified health Guidelines by the Passenger/Importer. At times, this had led to post importation problems in cases where Health Certificate/Import is not as per the Health Guidelines of the Government of India. At times, this may even lead to deportation of animal after arrival. 2. In this context, the CBEC Circular No. 9/2002-Cus dated 30.01.2002 (issued under F. No. 495/27/2001-Cus. VI) regarding import of pets under Baggage may also be referred to. As per the said Circular, bona-fide pet animals brought by passengers may be allowed to be brought into the country only against an import sanitary permit issued by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying or against an import licence issued by the DGFT. 3. Further, the Central Board of Excise Customs vide Circular No. 94/2002-cus. dated 23rd December, 2002, as modified vide CBEC Circular no. 15/2013 - Customs dated 08.04.2013 (and this Office Public Notice No. 13/2013 dated 15.04.2013), has decided that the import of pets (dog and cat only) up to two numbers per passenger may be allowed at one time subject to the production of the required Health Certificate from the country of origin and examination of the said pets by the concerned Quarantine Officer. Standard health protocol, to be followed, by the passengers while bringing pet animals (dogs and cats) with them, has also been prescribed in Annexure I and II of the said circular. 4. The D.G.F.T. vide Policy Circular No. 29 (RE-2005)/2004-09, dated 06.10.2005, has already clarified that if the pets imported, are not covered under Customs Circular No. 94/2002, dated 23.12.2002, then they would be subject to import licence. 5. In view of position explained above, as well as keeping in view the National Health Security of the Country, it is requested that advance NOC from AQCS may be asked by the Airlines from the passenger before booking/lifting the pet. Production of the import licence or import sanitary permits is also necessary. Otherwise, Airlines will also be held responsible, in case deportation of animal is ordered after arrival and shall be required to lift the livestock back to the country of origin at their cost. 6. All Airlines, Importers, CHAs and members of the trade are requested to take note of the above and directed to follow the Instructions of Board, DGFT and the provisions of Notification issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, New Delhi, scrupulously. (Sandeep Prakash) Commissioner