Pet travel route
Taking a dog or cat from Argentina → Panama
What the official rules ask for on this route, for a family pet travelling with its owner. Enter your travel date and your pet’s details to turn it into a dated checklist.
How early to start
4 weeks
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet (the least time the official waiting periods allow)
5 days
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Counted only from the officially fixed waiting periods. Vet, lab and paperwork appointment times are on top, so start earlier.
Headlines for Panama
- Advance notice to authority
What your dog needs
Dogs
Notice
Tell MINSA 3 to 5 business days before your pet arrives
Email cam@minsa.gob.pa 3 to 5 business days before arrival with the request for entry of dogs, cats and ferrets, the export health certificate and the vaccination card.
Details and the official words
The 2026 pages name a 'Solicitud de Ingreso de Perros, Gatos y Hurones' form that we couldn't find online: ask MINSA for it.
“Notificar de 3 a 5 días hábiles anticipadamente, la llegada de su mascota, enviando “la Solicitud de Ingreso de Perros, Gatos y Hurones, el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación del país de procedencia y la cartilla de vacunación”.”
“Enviarlo a cam@minsa.gob.pa”
Paperwork
Official export health certificate, apostilled, at most 30 days old
The health authority of the country your pet comes from issues an official export health certificate stating that the pet was examined and is in good health. It must be legalised with an apostille (or by a Panamanian consulate) and be no more than 30 days old.
Details and the official words
SENASA International Veterinary Certificate (CVI): SENASA issues the CVI based on the destination's requirements. Every certifying office works by appointment (self-service booking is possible up to a month before the trip in offices that offer it, from a computer, not a phone). Go on the day with the vet's original documents and the copies required. The CVI is issued in the name of the person travelling with the pet.
A digital CVI exists only for travel by land to Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay and Chile.
“Documento oficial “Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación”, expedido por la Autoridad Sanitaria del país de procedencia, legalizados mediante “Apostillado” por Cancillería o Consularizado en oficinas diplomáticas panameñas con un máximo de treinta (30) días de emisión, donde conste que las mascotas (Perros, gatos y hurones) han sido examinados clínicamente presentando buen estado de salud.”
“deberán tramitar un Certificado Veterinario Internacional (CVI) emitido por Senasa en base a las exigencias sanitarias del país de destino”
“Todas las oficinas certificadoras atienden con TURNO PREVIO”
“El CVI se emite a nombre de la persona que se traslada con el perro o gato.”
Vaccination
Rabies vaccination from 3 months old, at least 30 days before the trip
Your pet is vaccinated against rabies from 3 months of age, at least 30 days before the trip for a young animal; for an adult the vaccination must be within its validity. The vaccination card shows the dates, brand, batch and expiry.
Details and the official words
The page ties the 30 days to young animals ('cachorros'). We also apply it to an adult's first vaccination, to be safe: ask MIDA if your adult pet's first rabies vaccination was less than 30 days before the trip.
“La vacuna antirrábica para caninos, felinos y hurones ha sido aplicada a partir de los tres (3) meses de edad y con treinta (30) días previos al viaje (cachorros). Y en los animales adultos las vacunas estén dentro del periodo de vigencia.”
“Indicar las fechas de vacunación, marca, lote y fecha de expiración en su cartilla de vacunación.”
Vaccination
Dogs: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus vaccinations
Before the trip your dog must also be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus.
Details and the official words
“Caninos: RABIA, DISTEMPER, HEPATITIS, LEPTOSPIROSIS, PARVOVIRUS.”
Treatment
Internal and external parasite treatments before boarding
Your pet is treated against internal and external parasites before boarding, and the treatments are stated in its documents. The pages give no time window: ask your vet.
Details and the official words
“Indicar los tratamientos endo y ectoparasitarios realizados previos al embarque.”
On arrival
Checks at Tocumen airport: MIDA quarantine and MINSA zoonosis offices
At Tocumen International Airport, go to MIDA's agricultural quarantine office and then MINSA's zoonosis office with your pet and documents, and pay in cash: MIDA's import licence (10 per species) and inspection (15 per animal), and MINSA's entry and inspection fee (40 per animal).
Details and the official words
“Pasos a seguir en Panamá – Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen, presentarse en:”
“B/. 10.00 (dólares) en efectivo por concepto de “Licencia Fito‐zoosanitaria de Importación”; (1) una licencia por especie.”
“B/. 15.00 (dólares) en efectivo por la Inspección Veterinaria por animal.”
“Ingreso de animales menores e inspección veterinaria: B/. 40 (dólares) en efectivo por animal.”
Vet exam
Registered vet certifies the destination's requirements
A registered vet certifies that the destination's health requirements are met: vaccines, treatments, certificates and so on, using products approved by SENASA in Argentina.
Details and the official words
“El veterinario matriculado debe certificar el cumplimiento de las exigencias sanitarias que solicita el país de destino”
Good to know
- If strict home quarantine is required, MINSA charges 130 balboas (US dollars) instead of 40. The 2026 pages don't say when it is required or for how long (an older MINSA form from 2013 said 40 days). Ask MINSA (cam@minsa.gob.pa) when you send your advance notice.
- If any requirement isn't met, your pet will be held and/or sent back by the airline it arrived on.
- Your pet must not have fresh or healing wounds.
- All fees at Tocumen are paid in cash (balboas, at par with US dollars). MIDA's office is open 24 hours; MINSA's zoonosis office is open every day from 7 am to 10 pm.
- The destination country sets both the health requirements and how many calendar days the certificate stays valid, so check its deadlines before you plan the appointment.
- Treatments given abroad are not valid for the SENASA certification. Vaccination certificates from a foreign vet can be accepted if they are in force and meet the destination's requirements.
- On the day of travel bring the CVI and the original rabies vaccination certificate, which always stays with the owner.
What your cat needs
Cats
Notice
Tell MINSA 3 to 5 business days before your pet arrives
Email cam@minsa.gob.pa 3 to 5 business days before arrival with the request for entry of dogs, cats and ferrets, the export health certificate and the vaccination card.
Details and the official words
The 2026 pages name a 'Solicitud de Ingreso de Perros, Gatos y Hurones' form that we couldn't find online: ask MINSA for it.
“Notificar de 3 a 5 días hábiles anticipadamente, la llegada de su mascota, enviando “la Solicitud de Ingreso de Perros, Gatos y Hurones, el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación del país de procedencia y la cartilla de vacunación”.”
“Enviarlo a cam@minsa.gob.pa”
Paperwork
Official export health certificate, apostilled, at most 30 days old
The health authority of the country your pet comes from issues an official export health certificate stating that the pet was examined and is in good health. It must be legalised with an apostille (or by a Panamanian consulate) and be no more than 30 days old.
Details and the official words
SENASA International Veterinary Certificate (CVI): SENASA issues the CVI based on the destination's requirements. Every certifying office works by appointment (self-service booking is possible up to a month before the trip in offices that offer it, from a computer, not a phone). Go on the day with the vet's original documents and the copies required. The CVI is issued in the name of the person travelling with the pet.
A digital CVI exists only for travel by land to Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay and Chile.
“Documento oficial “Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación”, expedido por la Autoridad Sanitaria del país de procedencia, legalizados mediante “Apostillado” por Cancillería o Consularizado en oficinas diplomáticas panameñas con un máximo de treinta (30) días de emisión, donde conste que las mascotas (Perros, gatos y hurones) han sido examinados clínicamente presentando buen estado de salud.”
“deberán tramitar un Certificado Veterinario Internacional (CVI) emitido por Senasa en base a las exigencias sanitarias del país de destino”
“Todas las oficinas certificadoras atienden con TURNO PREVIO”
“El CVI se emite a nombre de la persona que se traslada con el perro o gato.”
Vaccination
Rabies vaccination from 3 months old, at least 30 days before the trip
Your pet is vaccinated against rabies from 3 months of age, at least 30 days before the trip for a young animal; for an adult the vaccination must be within its validity. The vaccination card shows the dates, brand, batch and expiry.
Details and the official words
The page ties the 30 days to young animals ('cachorros'). We also apply it to an adult's first vaccination, to be safe: ask MIDA if your adult pet's first rabies vaccination was less than 30 days before the trip.
“La vacuna antirrábica para caninos, felinos y hurones ha sido aplicada a partir de los tres (3) meses de edad y con treinta (30) días previos al viaje (cachorros). Y en los animales adultos las vacunas estén dentro del periodo de vigencia.”
“Indicar las fechas de vacunación, marca, lote y fecha de expiración en su cartilla de vacunación.”
Vaccination
Cats: rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia vaccinations
Before the trip your cat must also be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus and feline panleukopenia.
Details and the official words
“Felinos: RABIA, RINOTRAQUEITIS VIRAL FELINA, CALICIVIRUS FELINO, PANLEUCOPENIA FELINA.”
Treatment
Internal and external parasite treatments before boarding
Your pet is treated against internal and external parasites before boarding, and the treatments are stated in its documents. The pages give no time window: ask your vet.
Details and the official words
“Indicar los tratamientos endo y ectoparasitarios realizados previos al embarque.”
On arrival
Checks at Tocumen airport: MIDA quarantine and MINSA zoonosis offices
At Tocumen International Airport, go to MIDA's agricultural quarantine office and then MINSA's zoonosis office with your pet and documents, and pay in cash: MIDA's import licence (10 per species) and inspection (15 per animal), and MINSA's entry and inspection fee (40 per animal).
Details and the official words
“Pasos a seguir en Panamá – Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen, presentarse en:”
“B/. 10.00 (dólares) en efectivo por concepto de “Licencia Fito‐zoosanitaria de Importación”; (1) una licencia por especie.”
“B/. 15.00 (dólares) en efectivo por la Inspección Veterinaria por animal.”
“Ingreso de animales menores e inspección veterinaria: B/. 40 (dólares) en efectivo por animal.”
Vet exam
Registered vet certifies the destination's requirements
A registered vet certifies that the destination's health requirements are met: vaccines, treatments, certificates and so on, using products approved by SENASA in Argentina.
Details and the official words
“El veterinario matriculado debe certificar el cumplimiento de las exigencias sanitarias que solicita el país de destino”
Good to know
- If strict home quarantine is required, MINSA charges 130 balboas (US dollars) instead of 40. The 2026 pages don't say when it is required or for how long (an older MINSA form from 2013 said 40 days). Ask MINSA (cam@minsa.gob.pa) when you send your advance notice.
- If any requirement isn't met, your pet will be held and/or sent back by the airline it arrived on.
- Your pet must not have fresh or healing wounds.
- All fees at Tocumen are paid in cash (balboas, at par with US dollars). MIDA's office is open 24 hours; MINSA's zoonosis office is open every day from 7 am to 10 pm.
- The destination country sets both the health requirements and how many calendar days the certificate stays valid, so check its deadlines before you plan the appointment.
- Treatments given abroad are not valid for the SENASA certification. Vaccination certificates from a foreign vet can be accepted if they are in force and meet the destination's requirements.
- On the day of travel bring the CVI and the original rabies vaccination certificate, which always stays with the owner.
Government fees we know of
- MIDA import licence (one per species, cash)10 USD
- MIDA veterinary inspection (per animal, cash)15 USD (+15 per extra pet)
- MINSA entry and veterinary inspection (per animal, cash)40 USD (+40 per extra pet)
Vet, lab and courier costs are not included. The final amount can depend on how many tests or pets are on the certificate.
Common questions
Does my dog need a rabies blood test to go from Argentina to Panama?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for a rabies blood test.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog into Panama?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for an import permit.
Will my dog be quarantined in Panama?
Not on the routes we have verified: the official rules list no quarantine for a pet that meets the requirements.
Does my dog need a microchip?
The official rules we have verified for this route don't list a microchip requirement.