Bringing your pet to Panama? We’ve handled tons of pet exports to Central America — let us help with yours.
Traveling or relocating to Panama with your pet isn’t as complex as countries with strict testing and quarantine requirements. Depending on your pet’s breed, size, and age, though, flight itineraries can become limited as you plan that trip to Central America.
Our guide covers everything you need to know about bringing your pet to Panama, including when to call in the experts for advice on your journey.
Eligible Pets and Country Restrictions
Panama doesn’t have any national breed bans or restrictions based on origin point, but the airline you choose for your pet’s flight to Panama may have breed restrictions to consider.
Eligible Pets
Panama does not have any breed-specific bans at the national level. There is proposed legislation that has been moving through both national and local governments targeting dog breeds defined as “aggressive,” so it’s always wise to monitor both.
The airline you choose for your pet’s trip to Panama may have restrictions on the age, size, and breed of your pet.
For travel on Copa Airlines, the preferred direct option for travel to Panama, pets weighing under 20 pounds (including their carrier) may travel in-cabin. All other eligible pets must travel via Copa Pets, their cargo arm. Pets traveling in cargo must be between 4 months and 11 years of age. That upper age limit is important to note, as it’s fairly unique across pet-friendly airlines.
One more quick note: Cargo doesn’t make travel less safe for pets. Travel in cargo is our preferred mode of travel for pets, as it often means fewer connections and more efficient routes.
Copa Pets restricts breeds in cargo if they are snub-nosed or considered potentially dangerous. Restricted dogs on their list include the following “aggressive” breeds:
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Cane Corso
- Dogo Argentino
- English Bulldog
- Fila Brasileiro
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Presa Canario
- Tosa (Japanese Mastiff)
Certain snub-nosed breeds may be allowed on certain flights without temperature restrictions and special permissions from your vet. These breeds include:
- Boston Terrier
- Boxer
- Brussels Griffon
- Chow Chow
- English Toy Spaniel
- French Bulldog
- Japanese Chin
- Lhasa Apso
- Maltese
- Pekingese
- Pug
- Shar Pei
- Shih Tzu
These aren’t exhaustive lists. If you’re traveling with a snub-nosed pet or breed often found on banned breed lists, check that you don’t need to provide additional breed verification as part of your pet’s reservation.
Working with a professional pet shipper is the best way to ensure that you know your options and meet every piece of an airline’s regulations to get your pet to their final destination.
Approved Countries
Panama does not restrict pets based on country of origin, and pet import requirements are the same regardless of the pet’s origin point.
Planning an international flight for your pet? We can help.
Microchip and Vaccinations
Microchips are optional (but still highly recommended) for travel to Panama. Panama requires several different vaccines, including rabies, for traveling pets.
Microchip
Panama doesn’t mandate that pets be microchipped before travel, but it may be required by the airline. Your pet will need to be microchipped for travel back to the U.S., so it’s best practice to do so.
We always recommend getting your pet an ISO-compliant microchip, especially if they’re traveling outside of Panama. An ISO-compliant version means it’s easily readable by universal scanners.
Vaccinations
All cats, dogs, and ferrets over 3 months of age must be vaccinated for rabies, which means pets under 4 months that are ineligible for the vaccine are unable to fly to Panama. Rabies vaccinations should be given at least 30 days before entry. There are no exceptions, even if pets are coming from designated rabies-free zones.
Panama itself is not considered a high-risk country for rabies. For pets returning to the U.S. from Panama, refer to the CDC’s guidelines for pet imports from low-risk countries. (As long as pets were vaccinated in the U.S., this generally only means filling out a CDC Dog Import Form.)
Dogs traveling to Panama must also be vaccinated for the following:
- Canine distemper
- Infectious canine hepatitis
- Canine parvovirus
- Leptospirosis
The following vaccines are required for cats traveling to Panama:
- Feline rhinotracheitis
- Feline calicivirus
- Feline panleukopenia (enteritis)
Depending on your travel plans and your pet’s health history, your vet may have additional recommendations. Vaccinations against canine parainfluenza and Bordetella bronchiseptica are typically recommended for traveling dogs.
Blood Tests and Treatments
Panama does not have a rabies titer requirement for Panama relocations or travel. All pets should be treated for internal (deworming) and external parasites (fleas and ticks) within 30 days of travel. The administering vet should record your pet’s treatments on their health certificate.
Import Documents
Panama does not require permits for most standard pets. Some exotic pets may require special permissions from Panama’s Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA).
As of 2020, Panama has waived apostille requirements, meaning that health documents had to be apostilled, or meet authentication rules by an apostille service, before travel. Here is what IS still required for pets traveling to Panama:
- All pets need a pet health certificate issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian. This can be APHIS Form 7001 or an equivalent, and it must be issued within 10 days of travel.
- Health certificates should include evidence that your pet is free from infectious or contagious diseases and list all relevant vaccinations. They should also include product names, dosages, and dates for vaccines and treatments.
- Health certificates must then be submitted to the USDA for USDA endorsement. This can be done digitally.
- After USDA endorsement, you still need Panamanian endorsement, despite the 2020 waiver. Do this by contacting the nearest consulate of Panama or embassy. At Tailwind, we email certificates to the consulate in Long Beach for speedy endorsement.
- The original document that you receive back from the Panamanian embassy or consulate is what has to travel with your pet. Your pet must travel to Panama within 10 days of legalization by Panama.
If you live in a state that doesn’t have a Panamanian consulate or embassy, health certificates can be mailed to the nearest one and returned via pre-paid envelope. Never assume you’ll be able to get an endorsement upon arrival. This only happens in rare cases with prior approval from the Ministerio de Salud (MINSA), or Panama’s Ministry of Health.
Airline Options
There are several airlines that fly to Panama, but our preferred option is Copa Airlines. They have direct flights to Panama City from major U.S. transportation hubs like Los Angeles, Houston, and Atlanta. The problem is that some breeds aren’t eligible to fly with that airline.
Copa places limits on older dogs — your dog should be under 11 years old — and restricts certain breeds. Their planes can’t accommodate kennel sizes taller than 33 inches, either, which won’t work for larger or jumbo dog breeds.
Avianca is another option you can use if Copa doesn’t work for your pet’s breed. The maximum weight for pets and their kennels in cargo is generous (154 lbs.), and Avianca flies breeds often described as “dangerous.” Snub-nosed breeds are only allowed to fly in-cabin.
No matter which airline you choose, crates should be IATA-compliant. This means your pet’s crate meets standards for security and ventilation. Crates should be large enough to accommodate your pet. They may need to show that they can stand, turn, and lie down comfortably at check-in.
Some airlines ask that certain breeds fly in special reinforced crates. Avianca asks that “dangerous” dog breeds be muzzled if they’re not in a metal-walled container, for example. If you need one, we provide custom-built CR82 crates for those breeds.
Quarantine
There is no formal quarantine required by Panamanian health officials, but between 3-5 days before your pet’s arrival, you’ll need to complete a “Home Quarantine Request.” This form is available for download online and should be filled out and emailed back to Panama at cam@minsa.gob.pa.
Emails should include a scanned copy of your pet’s international health certificate and relevant information related to your pet’s arrival. You’ll need to present copies of all of those forms again upon arrival at Tocumen International Airport, along with a fee paid in cash for the inspection.
The Home Quarantine Request essentially keeps your pet under your supervision during an observation period of 40 days after their arrival in Panama. Rather than the government keeping your pet in a kennel for that length of time, Panama lets you keep your pet in their new home.
During that period of 40 days, you agree to monitor your pet for any signs of illness and report those issues to MIDA. You should not plan any additional international travel during those 40 days.
How Tailwind Can Help
Flying a pet to Panama may seem straightforward, but booking that ticket can become complicated if you have a breed facing airline restrictions. Securing endorsements from embassies can be challenging, too, especially when juggling several pieces of a big move.
At Tailwind, we’ve helped countless families relocate with their pets, including tough cases like breeds with special handling needs. We can manage the logistics for you door-to-door for a stress-free experience that results in your pet ready to start their new adventure with you.
Ready to get started? Each pet relocation situation is different, so to get an idea of the costs involved, fill out a quote request.
See What Our Clients Have to Say
I’ve boarded my past and present dogs at LAX Kennel without any issues. I began planning a trip to Panama, so, I reached out to Brady for the steps needed to take my dog out of the US.
After a meeting I decided to take her with me. Brady and Alex walked me through the process providing their knowledge, completing necessary paperwork and providing a necessary vaccine.
On the travel date, Brady provided pre-flight updates, boarding notifications and arrival information. My dog was in good condition on arrival. I signed the paperwork for her entrance to Panama and paid the entrance and left with her.
I’d definitely use LAX Kennel in the future for my pet travels.
Much appreciated, Brady and Alex.
– Moe S.
We cannot say enough good things about Kennel Club LAX and their staff (Brady and Elaine, I’m talking to you). We were traveling with our German Shepherd from Central America to Seattle with a stop at LAX. Brady and Kennel Club were miracle workers with less than 24 hours notice (22 hours to be precise). We were only available via wifi (WhatsApp). When we landed at LAX there was a text waiting saying they had already started the customs process. They professionally handled customs and also took excellent care of our dog the short time they had him. All went well due to Brady and Kennel Club. Highly recommend.
– Karen S.