Pet import requirements for Panama
What Panama asks for before a dog or cat can enter — the microchip, the rabies work, the permit and the paperwork — and how far ahead you need to start. We handle all of it on a move we arrange.
Import rules change, and they change without notice. Last verified 2025-05-26 by the country-profile service Furry Freight uses; profile last updated 2025-09-15. Confirm every requirement with the authority named below, or with us on (424) 421-1650, before you book a flight or start any vet work.
Panama at a glance
| Requirement | For Panama |
|---|---|
| Microchip Not required | Not required |
| Rabies | Not required |
| Import permit Not required | Not required |
| Quarantine | There is no airport quarantine |
| Minimum age to travel | 4 months |
| Customs clearance | A customs broker is not typically required for Panama |
| Agent at destination | A destination agent is not typically required for Panama |
Where this fits in the timeline. The order matters more than the effort: a rabies vaccination given before the microchip was implanted does not count in most regimes, and a titer test drawn too early restarts a waiting period. On a move we handle, we check your pet's existing dates against these rules on the free consultation before anything is booked.
The detail
There is no airport quarantine. Central America. Arrival airports noted for this destination in clude PTY and DAV.
Import requirements
4 months. Rabies at 3 months minimum + 30 days waiting time before traveling.
Dogs and cats import requirements:
- A home quarantine form should be sent to the Panama Tocumen Airport health office at least three days prior to pet’s arrival.
- An in ternational health certificate issued by the authorities in the country of departure and endorsed by a Panamanian Consulate or Apostilled is required.
- For the Panamanian airport authorities, the International health certificate is valid for 30 days from the date it is signed by the State vet, however, most airlines will require this document to be not older than10 days. Check with your airline.
- Dog vaccines: Rabies, Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus.
- Cat vaccines: Rabies, Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia.
- Dogs and cats: Internal and external parasite treatment required. Products used should be in cluded on the health certificate.
- All dogs and cats must have rabies vaccination in order to enter Panama. Details must be in cluded on the health certificate (product, lot number, and expiration date).
- Rabies vaccination can only be administered after the pet is 3 months old
- After rabies vaccination, pet must wait 30 days before traveling to Panama.
- Pets with their documentation in order will be released the same day of arrival after clearance has been finished. If documents are in complete or missing, pets will not be released from the airport and will be ordered to be sent back to origin if documents are not provided in a very short time, 1-2 days. This is solely to the discretion of the airport authorities.
- Home quarantine requires pets to stay at home away from other pets during 40 days. Pets can stay at home and in nearby premises during that time but should avoid contact with other pets.
- Clearance is Mon-Fri 8am-10pm. On call service available if notified in advance.
- Airport import fees for one dog or cat is $155.00 USD
Importing birds into Panama:
- If a bird is under CITES classification, a CITES import permit should be requested to the Panama National Environmental Authority at least 60 days prior to arrival.
- An import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture quarantine office should also be obtained in advance.
- Depending on the country of departure, several tests may be required prior arrival. Contact the Ministry of Agriculture quarantine office for specific in formation about the tests required and to confirm if they will accept the importation from the departing country.
- Upon arrival, pet and documents will be checked by the Panama National Environmental Authority and by the Ministry of Agriculture quarantine of fices at the airport. Tests will also be performed. Contact the airport quarantine office to coordinate an of ficial vet to be present on the date of arrival to perform the tests.
- It is advised to coordinate in advance with the Panamanian authorities.
No specification
Dogs and cats under 6 months may be subject to Customs import duties.
Same requirements into Panama for dogs and cats from all over the World.
Identification and microchip
Not required.
Rabies and vaccinations
- After rabies vaccination, pet must wait 30 days before traveling to Panama. (For first time vaccination, or a lapse since last one – not needed if rabies is kept current)
Required vaccinations:
- Dog vaccines: Rabies, Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus
- Cat vaccines: Rabies, rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, calicivirus
Dogs and cats must not be vaccinated for rabies before 3 months of age.
Tests and treatments
No tests for dogs and cats.
Dogs and cats should be treated against in ternal and external parasites.
Health certificate and permits
An International health certificate issued by the authorities in the country of departure is required. Must be endorsed by a Panamanian Consulate or Apostilled.
Not required in advance.
Quarantine
- There is no airport quarantine. After clearance, pets will be released for home quarantine.
- Home quarantine requires pets to stay at home away from other pets during 40 days. Pets can stay at home and in nearby premises during that time but should avoid contact with other pets.
-
Restrictions and banned breeds
No restrictions for dogs and cats.
Customs, agents, and airports
A customs broker is not typically required for Panama.
A destination agent is not typically required for Panama.
PTY airport – Main airport.
Airports listed on this destination file: PTY, DAV.
Clearance is Mon-Fri 8am-10pm. On call service available if notified in advance. Mon-Fri is not correct it is 7 days a week, but Home Quarantine application must be received minimum 3 days before arrival to alert vet that a pet is arriving.
No A customs broker is required, however an agent is highly recommended especially if you do not speak fluent Spanish.
Export notes
To export cats and dogs from Panama to other countries, requirements are:
- A health certificate issued from a licensed veterinarian
- Rabies vaccine
- Export permit issued by the Ministry of Agriculture quarantine department
You must check with the destination country for other requirements such as additional vaccines, microchip, blood test, import permit, etc.
Other pets / CITES / extra rules
If your pet is a bird, you should verify if it is protected under CITES. Additional permits and tests will be needed if this is the case.
GOVERNMENT OFFICES - DOGS AND CATS clearance
- MIDA (Ministerio de Desarrollo Agropecuario)
- MINSA (Ministerio de Salud)
GOVERNMENT OFFICES - FOR BIRDS AND EXOTICS clearance
- MIDA (Ministerio de Desarrollo Agropecuario)
- MIAMBIENTE (AUTORIDAD NACIONAL DEL AMBIENTE)
Official contacts
Ministry of Health
Website: www.minsa.gob.pa (Dogs and cats)
Airport tel: 238-3855
Ministry of Agriculture
Agricultural Development
https://mida.gob.pa/ (all animals)
Airport tel: 238-4234
Tel: +507 998-4638 / +507 998-3636
National Director of Agriculture - Juan De Vicente
Email: jdevicente@mida.gob
Executive Director of Agricultural Quarantine - Jorge Marín
Email: jmarin@mida.gob.pa
Website: www.mida.gob.pa (Dogs, cats, birds, exotics)
National Director of Animal Health - Rolando Tello
Email: rtello@mida.gob.pa
Minister - Eduardo Enrique Carles
Email: ecarles@mida.gob.pa
Enviroment National Authority
Superior Dispatch - Minister
Tel: +507 500-0855
Website: www.miambiente.gob.pa (Birds and exotics)
Current as of April -2025
Disclaimer
Import rules change without much warning. Confirm every vaccine date, test, permit, and crate routing with the destination veterinary authority before you travel. This page is a planning brief for Furry Freight customers, last checked against the IPATA country profile dated 2025-05-26.
Next: measure your dog, find the kennel size, then get a free travel quote. Moving on military orders? PCS moves. Going to Hawaiʻi instead? Hawaiʻi has its own regime.
Other destinations: Anguilla · Antigua and Barbuda · Argentina · all destinations
Official sources for Panama
- Home quarantine form minsa.gob.pa
- www.minsa.gob.pa minsa.gob.pa
- www.mida.gob.pa mida.gob.pa
- www.miambiente.gob.pa miambiente.gob.pa
Questions about moving a pet to Panama
Does my dog or cat need a microchip for Panama?
Not required
From the country profile, last verified 2025-05-26.
What rabies vaccination does Panama require?
Not required
Do I need an import permit to bring a pet into Panama?
Not required
Will my pet be quarantined on arrival in Panama?
There is no airport quarantine
How old does a puppy or kitten have to be to travel to Panama?
4 months