Traveling with pets
If you are bringing pets to Panama, be sure to follow the following steps:
I. REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY OF SMALL PETS TO PANAMA:
1. You will be asked upon arrival at Tocumen Airport for a Certificate of Good Health of Exportation for Small Animals issued by the Sanitary Authority from the country of origin.
Within the United States, you will be able to get this Certificate of Good Health at the U.S. Department of Agriculture( U.S.D.A.)
2. This form has to be certified by an official U.S.D.A. Veterinary and the pet's veterinary.
This certificate can be found under Pet Travel on the U.S.D.A. webpage or at the following link: "https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/by-country/pettravel-panama"
3. After you get the certificate with the two signatures send it to a Panamanian Consulate for the authentication or if you live in a state that does not have a Panamanian diplomatic office, the health certificate can be APOSTILLED by the Authentication Office of the Secretary of State located in the State where the document originates.
4. The Consular Fee is $30.00 per document, payable by money order made out to the Consulate of Panama.
5. Please include a self-addressed prepaid envelope for the return of your documents. If you are sending documents by mail, we recommend you use Express Mail - USPS, Priority Mail - USPS or Fedex to avoid delays and your documents getting lost.
6. Please write in clear print "TRAVELING WITH PET" on the outside of the envelope that you are mailing to us so we can process it faster.
Please send the documents to the following address:
CONSULATE OF PANAMA
2862 McGill Terrace, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
NOTE: Make sure to check with your airline for further information regarding airline guidelines when you are traveling with pets. Be aware that the airlines require a U.S.D.A. Certificate valid for at least 10 days from the day it was issued.
II. PROCEEDINGS OF THE PAPERWORK FOR HOME QUARANTINE TO GIVE UPON ARRIVAL IN PANAMA
1. Fill out the form "Home Quarantine Request" (click to download)
2. Upon arrival at the Tocumen Airport, all documents previously mentioned have to be given to the Veterinary Doctor of the Department of Zoonosis Control, who will verify the same.
3. If the owner fulfills all requirements, the animal(s) will be given back to its owner. If the requirements are not fulfilled, the pet will be send back to the country of origin using the same airline in which the pet arrived.
4. The fee for the Home Quarantine is B/.130.00 per animal paid only in cash at Tocumen Airport.
NOTE: The completed “Home Quarantine Request" form has to be email it to camzoonosis@gmail.com and cam@minsa.gob.pa. This form must be sent to the Ministry of Health authorities three (03) to five (05) days prior to your arrival in Panama.
Take note of the following Ministry working hours in the Tocumen International Airport in Panama:
• Schedule: Monday to Sunday: from 8:00 am. to 10:00 pm.
BIOSECURITY INDICATIONS FOR THE PAPERWORK OF PETS INCOMING TO PANAMA
In order to do the paperwork of your pet without risk and fluently for both passenger and the
personal, you should keep the following indications:
1. Before your arrival send the “Home Quarantine Request” and post an image of passport or Panamanian ID and document that will present:
a. Exportation Certificate
b. Apostille or Consular authentication
c. Vaccines record card or certificate
2. At your arrival to the official offices (MIDA and MINSA), we will let just one person (owner or responsible person) to do the paperwork.
3. Meanwhile the paperwork is done, all the luggage and properties should be keep outside of the offices in the designated area.
4. Pet´s arriving in kennels or bags, during the paperwork, can´t be taked out.
5. Keep the pets in the designated area, until the officials of quarantine gives you the indications to follow.
7. The fees to be paid, you should bring it in cash and the exactly amount (MIDA $16.00 and MINSA $130.00).