IMPORTING / EXPORTING PRIVATELY OWNED ANIMALS AND WILDLIFE FROM THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA

Before shipping a dog or cat to or from the Republic of Panama, contact local airline personnel or MAC, to determine shipping requirements, size and type of cage needed.

To export a dog or cat from Panama, obtain a current rabies vaccination certificate ($8.25) and two health certificates ($12.00) from an accredited veterinarian, have them stamped by Consejo Tecnico de Salud of the MINSA (Ministerio de Salud at Building 255, former Gorgas US Army Hospital, tel. 262-9008). Some countries may require an additonal stamp from the MINREX Foreign Relations Ministry . If departing from Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen you must take a copy of the Panamanian health certificate and a copy of the rabies vaccination certificate to VICOMEX (Viceministerio de Comercio Exterior (formerly IPCE, tel. 360-0700 ext. 2303) for a $5.00 export document which must be presented at the airport.

To import a dog or cat into Panama, you have to bring:
1) Health certificate authenticated by Panamanian Consul
2) Vaccinations certificate authenticated by Panamanian Consul
3) Pay US$130.00 for quarantine fees at any BANCONAL Banco Nacional de Panama

4) If entering through Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen an attorney or acquaintance in Panama has to request an exemption from quarantine in writing before the health minister 2 weeks before the trip - indicating arrival and pet information. The request must be submitted hand-delivered at PETA-MINSA (Proteccion de Alimentos of Ministerio de Salud, at former Gorgas US Army Hospital, tel. 262-1671)

With these documents the dog will be allowed into the country. Without 4), the dog will be subject to 30-days quarantine and then released to you. Without any documents, the dog will be returned back to the country of origin.

BIRDS AND OTHER WILD ANIMALS HAVE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS!
Panama requires CITES species control certificates from the country of origin and approvals from ANAM (Areas Protegidas at Autoridad Nacional del Ambiente, Curundu, tel. 232-7223) and MIDA (Cuarentena Agropecuaria of Ministerio de Desarrollo Agropecuario, Curundu, tel. 232-5340).

For a list of Panamanian consulates providing more information, go to Embassyworld, http://www.segumar.com or http://www.mire.gob.pa

US Government personnel in Panama should contact:
Chief, Animal Medicine Branch
Panama District Veterinary Command
Unit 7121
APO AA 34004
DSN (313) 285-6106
Tel +507 285-6106, Fax +507 285-4536
Ministerio de Salud de Panamá
Ciudad de Panamá, Ancón
Edificios 237 - 238 - 253 - 255 - 261 - 265
Apartado 4444, Panamá 1, Panamá
Central Telefónica: (507) 262-3507

More info and other countries at http://www.ipata.com/, Ramblin' Cat, Mousekateers

From CVTF guide and rec.travel.latin-america

This Pet Travel & Leisure Ring site is owned by wendimere@webtv.net Want to join the Pet Travel & Leisure Ring?
[Skip Prev] [Prev] [Next] [Skip Next] [Random] [Next 5] [List Sites]

Sept. 21, 2001, Updated Feb. 18, 2002

This information is subject to changes, specially since government entities regularly change telephone numbers or locations without previous notice and 99.99% of the time do not provide information by email or fax. It is provided for informational purposes only and not intended to serve as advice. Travelers should rely instead on their own inquiries at the relevant entities at least 1 month before the date of travel.