Pet Shipping - Pet Import Requirements in Panama

Pet Import Requirements in Panama

Dogs and cats imported to Panama are subject to 40 day quarantine. The proper documents must accompany pets.

Pet import documentation:
1. Health Certificate: A health certificate signed by a recognized vet and certified by a Panamanian Consulate. The average charge is $30 per one pet for this service. Residents of the U.S.A. can send the health certificate and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Panamanian consulate for obtaining certification.
2. Rabies Vaccination Certificate: A rabies vaccination certificate for dogs and cats over 3 months old. This must be not more than 16 months or less than a month from the last shot.
3. Parvovirus Vaccination. It is the certification that the dog has been immunized against parvovirus within the last 12 months.
4. Panleukopenia Vaccination. It is the certification that the cat has been immunized against infectious feline panleukopenia within the 12 months.

Pet import fees: Entry fees at Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen are about $15 for 1 pet. Additionally, there are associated quarantine fees of $130. The fees apply to each animal and are payable to the Minister of Health through Banco Nacional before the pet is released from the quarantine. Other charges include rabies vaccination and sometimes medications, laboratory procedures or specific diets.

If you want to avoid quarantine in a government run facility, you can ask for an in-house quarantine. If entering through Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen, ask your Panamian friend or lawyer to request a quarantine exemption from the Minister of Health. This must be done 2 weeks before the travel. The individual requesting the in-house quarantine have to indicate the arrival date, time, and other information about pet.