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Pets: Sanitary & Quarantine Requirements

We realise that a lot of immigrants will be interested to know whether it is possible to bring their pets with them to Panama.  The short answer is "yes", you can. 

Below are a general outline of what you need to know.  These requirements may change, so please contact us to inquire about this before you travel.  Also, you will need to check with the airline, to see what special requirements, if any, they have.  

Dogs & Cats 

1. Vaccine Card

2. Sanitary Certificate

3. Certificate of Origin

4. Must complete an import form (available at Health Department (Airport) or Quarantine Department)

5. Health Department (Airport) checks the papers and the animal

6. If the animal is kept in “quarantine“ at the Health Department, the fee to pay is $7.00 per day

7. If the animal is kept in “quarantine” at the owner’s domicile, you simply pay the fee of $120.00, and then keep the animal inside for the required time.  Generally speaking, you are able to have the animal under home quarantine, rather than at the Health Department. 

ENDANGERED SPECIES (Reptiles, birds, etc.)

1. Sanitary Certificate

2. Export Authorization from CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) - each country assigns a government department as responsible for CITES.  You will need to find out (from your Veternarian) which is the appropriate department in your country of residence to contact. 

3. Request Letter to (Shirley & Associates can assist with this):

1. Birds information (Name, species: common & scientific name, age, etc.)

2. Where do they come from? Country of Export

3. Where are they going to? Country of Import = Panama

4. Attach Sanitary Certificate and the CITES authorization (1&2 above)

Once approved - ANAM provides an Import Authorization

The Import Authorization must be sent to:

Dr. Herrera

Departamento de Cuarentena Agropecuaria

Ministerio de Desarrollo Agropecuario (MIDA)

Tel. 207-0703

Departamento de Cuarentena Agropecuaria provides the Pets’ Import Permit. This Permit must be presented at the airport when animals arrive.

They will then assign the quarantine for the animal, which may be home.  You are recommended to request this.  

For more information please contact: jedghil@shirleylaw.com 

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