Pet Travel From the United States to Panama
Travel Requirements Based on Pet Type
Carefully read ALL of the requirements related to your pet on this page.
- This page provides the most recent entry requirements and can change without notice.
- It is the responsibility of the veterinarian to make sure the pet has met all health requirements of the destination country before issuing a health certificate.
- Failure to meet the requirements may result in problems gaining certificate endorsement or difficulties upon arrival in the destination country.
- Health certificates must be legible, accurate, and complete.
A Health Certificate is required to take your dog from the United Sates into Panama. The Health Certificate must be signed by a USDA Accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS.
After the pet’s health certificate is issued by a USDA Accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS, it will need to be stamped and signed by a Panamanian diplomatic office (consulate or embassy) in the United States prior to travel.
- If you live in a state that does not have a Panamanian diplomatic office in it, the health certificate can be signed (apostilled/ legalized) by the Office of Authentications, Bureau of Consular Affairs (U.S. Department of State) located in Washington, D.C. Only the Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C. can issue apostilles. Please visit their website at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal-considerations/judicial/authentication-of-documents/apostille-requirements.html for more information.
Note: Effective 12/31/2020, Panama has temporarily waived the apostille requirement. The requirement for post-APHIS endorsement stamp and signature by a Panamanian diplomatic office/consulate still remains a condition of travel.
The owner must notify Panama at least three (3) days before the arrival of the pet by completing the Home Quarantine Request” that can be download from www.minsa.gob.pa.
- This notification must be sent via email to cam@minsa.gob.pa. In the email, you will need to provide a scanned copy of your pet’s health certificate as well as information related to your pet’s date of arrival, time, flight number and airline.
The requirements for traveling with your pet are described in the applicable health certificate (s). If submission will be via the Veterinary Export Health Certificate System (VEHCS), you may navigate directly to VEHCS without downloading this PDF.
International Health Certificate for Dogs from the U.S. to Panama (184.64 KB)
A Health Certificate is required to take your cat from the United Sates into Panama. The Health Certificate must be signed by a USDA Accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS.
After the pet’s health certificate is issued by a USDA Accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS, it will need to be stamped and signed by a Panamanian diplomatic office (consulate or embassy) in the United States prior to travel.
- If you live in a state that does not have a Panamanian diplomatic office in it, the health certificate can be signed (apostilled/ legalized) by the Office of Authentications, Bureau of Consular Affairs (U.S. Department of State) located in Washington, D.C. Only the Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C. can issue apostilles. Please visit their website at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal-considerations/judicial/authentication-of-documents/apostille-requirements.html for more information.
Note: Effective 12/31/2020, Panama has temporarily waived the apostille requirement. The requirement for post-APHIS endorsement stamp and signature by a Panamanian diplomatic office/consulate still remains a condition of travel.
The owner must notify Panama at least three (3) days before the arrival of the pet by completing the Home Quarantine Request” that can be download from www.minsa.gob.pa.
- This notification must be sent via email to cam@minsa.gob.pa. In the email, you will need to provide a scanned copy of your pet’s health certificate as well as information related to your pet’s date of arrival, time, flight number and airline.
The requirements for traveling with your pet are described in the applicable health certificate (s). If submission will be via the Veterinary Export Health Certificate System (VEHCS), you may navigate directly to VEHCS without downloading this PDF.
International Health Certificate for Cats from the U.S. to Panama (141.63 KB)
For pet travel requirements not listed, APHIS has not been officially informed by the foreign country about the requirements for your pet’s travel. We recommend that you contact a government official of the country you are traveling to for more information.
Country of Destination Contact Information
Countries Participating in the European Union
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Republic of Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Northern Ireland*
Norway**
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland**
* Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom (UK), but will continue to follow European Union (EU) requirements even though the UK is no longer part of the EU.
** Norway and Switzerland are not part of the EU but have adopted EU legislation for import of most species of live animals.
Important Travel Considerations
Considerations for airline travel and cruises:
Airlines and shipping lines have their own policies and requirements for transporting pets. Check with your airline or shipping representative to determine what requirements they may have.
Learn how you can improve the safety of dogs and cats during air travel.
If pets or support animals accompany you on a cruise, you must comply with entry rules for every country or port where your pet or support animal exits the ship.
Will you be returning to the United States with your pet?
View APHIS Requirements
ALERT: If you're traveling with a dog, be aware that the CDC has additional requirements for bringing a dog into the United States. You must follow CDC's requirements, or your dog will not be allowed to enter the United States.
If you are transiting (passing through) the European Union:
If your pet is traveling through (transiting) a country in the European Union (EU) on the way to a third, non-EU country, you will also need a transit health certificate for your pet for the EU. The transit health certificate will be the same as if your pet’s final destination was the EU country. Use the information and steps above under “Travel Requirements Based on Pet Type” to determine which health certificate should be used. View a list of EU countries.
Need Help?
Still Have Questions?
USDA-Accredited Veterinarians
Contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian for questions about your destination country's entry requirements for pets (including any needed vaccinations, tests, or treatments) and for issuance of health certificates.
Find a USDA-Accredited Veterinarian
USDA Endorsement Offices
Contact your nearest APHIS Veterinary Export Trade Services Endorsement Office for questions about endorsing a health certificate for pets.
Looking for Another Country?
Find your destination country requirements by using the dropdown menu below. If your country is not listed in the menu, visit Pet Travel: Unknown Requirements.