PetraPetra
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Pet travel from the United States to Panama

What you need, in order

  1. Microchip recorded Recommended
  2. Rabies vaccination valid
  3. Canine distemper vaccination valid (Applies to: dog)
  4. Canine adenovirus / hepatitis vaccination valid (Applies to: dog)
  5. Canine parvovirus vaccination valid (Applies to: dog)
  6. Canine parainfluenza vaccination valid Recommended (Applies to: dog)
  7. Leptospirosis vaccination valid (Applies to: dog)
  8. Feline herpesvirus (FVR) vaccination valid (Applies to: cat)
  9. Feline calicivirus vaccination valid (Applies to: cat)
  10. Feline panleukopenia vaccination valid (Applies to: cat)
  11. Panama international health certificate (APHIS-endorsed + legalized)

Recommended lead time: start about 45 days before travel.

Requirements reviewed against the destination authority's published instructions on 2026-07-07. Steps decided outside Petra are listed below.

Covers personal, non-commercial travel from the United States to Panama for dogs and cats. USDA APHIS endorsement of the certificate, its consular or apostille legalization, and the MIDA and MINSA documentation check and inspection on arrival at Tocumen are decided outside Petra.

Last reviewed
2026-07-07
Recommended lead time
45 days
Ruleset
Panama (MIDA / DINASA)
Check my trip for this corridor

Requirements

  • Microchip recorded Recommended
  • Rabies vaccination valid
  • Canine distemper vaccination valid

    Applies to: dog

  • Canine adenovirus / hepatitis vaccination valid

    Applies to: dog

  • Canine parvovirus vaccination valid

    Applies to: dog

  • Canine parainfluenza vaccination valid Recommended

    Applies to: dog

  • Leptospirosis vaccination valid

    Applies to: dog

  • Feline herpesvirus (FVR) vaccination valid

    Applies to: cat

  • Feline calicivirus vaccination valid

    Applies to: cat

  • Feline panleukopenia vaccination valid

    Applies to: cat

  • Panama international health certificate (APHIS-endorsed + legalized)

Spotted something wrong? Report a correction.

Owner checklist

  • Email MINSA the Home Quarantine Request / Solicitud de Ingreso (cam@minsa.gob.pa) Required

    Sent 3 to 5 business days before arrival to cam@minsa.gob.pa (MINSA Departamento de Control de Zoonosis). Mandatory: include the arrival flight/date/time, a scanned copy of the APHIS-endorsed health certificate, and the vaccination record (cartilla de vacunación). Without it the pet may be held at Tocumen until MINSA processes it.

  • Internal + external parasite treatment before shipment Required

    A licensed vet administers and records internal and external antiparasitic treatment before export, declared on the certificate. Petra has no separate evidence model for this treatment; confirm it from the certificate before travel.

  • Pet at least 4 months old; first rabies dose ≥30 days before arrival Required

    Panama requires rabies vaccination from 3 months of age with at least 30 days elapsed since the FIRST dose, so animals under about 4 months of age are not allowed into the country. The engine does not model age or first-vs-booster dose, so confirm the age and first-dose timing before travel.

  • Legalize the APHIS-endorsed certificate (consular stamp or apostille, within 30 days)

    After APHIS endorsement, the certificate is legalized for Panama EITHER by a Panamanian consulate stamp/signature OR by apostille (Cancillería, or the US Department of State Office of Authentications where no Panamanian consulate serves your state), within 30 days of issuance. This legalization is captured as the certificate's authentication step in Petra's external-document check; carry the original legalized certificate.

  • Plan the airline-validity window

    Airlines and Panamanian authorities expect the APHIS endorsement and the 30-day legalization window to still be valid on the day of travel. Coordinate the endorsement, legalization and travel date so the certificate isn't too fresh OR too stale.

  • On-arrival processing fees

    MIDA and MINSA charge processing and veterinary-inspection fees per animal at Tocumen, typically payable in cash; a strict home quarantine, if required, carries an additional charge. Amounts change: confirm the current fees before travel and bring cash.

  • Home quarantine on arrival if required

    MINSA may impose a home quarantine at the owner's Panama residence; duration and any strict-quarantine charge are set per-arrival. Plan accommodation accordingly: a Panama address is generally required for the Solicitud de Ingreso.

Still decided outside Petra

  • Panama's MIDA and MINSA officers perform the documentation check and veterinary inspection when you arrive at Tocumen International Airport (PTY); Petra cannot pre-clear this step.

Primary sources

Spotted something wrong? Report a correction.

Frequently asked questions

How far ahead do I need to start?

Petra's recommended lead time for the United States to Panama is 45 days before travel.

What certificate do I need?

Panama international health certificate (APHIS-endorsed + legalized)

What is this based on?

Petra's Panama (MIDA / DINASA) ruleset for this corridor, last reviewed 2026-07-07 (see Primary sources below).

Is this verified?

Requirements reviewed against the destination authority's published instructions on 2026-07-07. Steps decided outside Petra are listed below.

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