🇵🇦 Pet Import to Panama

Panama's pet import process is administered by the Ministerio de Desarrollo Agropecuario (MIDA) through its Direccion Nacional de Salud Animal, making it one of the more straightforward destinations in Latin America for relocating pets. As a popular expat retirement destination anchored by the Pensionado visa programme, Panama receives a high volume of pet imports and MIDA staff at Tocumen International Airport handle approximately 95% of all pet entries. Owners must present an international veterinary certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian in the country of origin, endorsed by that country's official veterinary authority, and issued within 10 days of travel. Rabies vaccination must be current, administered no less than 30 days and no more than 12 months before arrival. Core vaccines are required: DHLPP and parainfluenza for dogs, and FVRCP for cats. A parasite treatment (external and internal) must be administered within 15 days of travel and documented in the health certificate. Microchipping is not mandatory under current MIDA regulations, and Panama does not require an FAVN rabies titer test, making the process significantly simpler than many other countries. There is no mandatory quarantine for pets that arrive with compliant documentation. A pre-arrival notification via the Cuarentena Agropecuaria portal is recommended to streamline the airport inspection process. Pets that do not fully meet import requirements may be subject to a home quarantine observation period of approximately 30 days at the owner's expense. Personal imports are limited to a maximum of 2 pets per traveller; importing additional animals requires special authorisation from the Health Director. Panama has no national breed-specific bans, though Ley 308/2005 and Decreto 4/2007 impose handling requirements for dogs classified as potentially dangerous, including mandatory muzzling in public spaces and civil liability insurance. Exotic species require CITES documentation and permits from MiAmbiente. Import fees typically run approximately USD 130 for the import permit and USD 50 for health certificate notarization. Puppies and kittens under 4 months of age that have not completed the rabies vaccination series are handled on a case-by-case basis by MIDA officials.