Pet travel route
Dog or cat from New Zealand to Panama: official requirements
Possible. With nothing done yet, start at least 4 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: rabies vaccination from 3 months old, at least 30 days before the trip, dogs: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus vaccinations and internal and external parasite treatments before boarding and 2 more.
Rules checked up to 12 October 2026From 4 official pages
In short
- Dogs and cats differ on this route: choose Dog or Cat to see just yours.
- On this route: parasite treatment before travel and tell the authority in advance.
- No rabies blood test, import permit or quarantine on this route for a pet that meets the rules.
Limited official guidance. The authority for leaving New Zealand publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. MPI's own pages and its export requirements for each destination answer automated requests with a bot check, so these steps come from New Zealand Customs' page on moving pets overseas. It says what is needed in general: the exact contents of the export certificate depend on the destination, so ask MPI or a registered pet exporter before you book.
At a glance
How early to start (dogs)
4 weeks
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet
Set by: Rabies vaccination from 3 months old, at least 30 days before the trip (30 days before the trip)
5 days
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Tell MINSA 3 to 5 business days before your pet arrives (3 to 5 business days before arrival: 7 to 5 calendar days is our conversion (always within that range on working weeks without holidays), not an official figure)
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (dogs)
- No rabies blood test
- No import permit
- No quarantine
- Parasite treatment before travel
- Tell the authority in advance
How early to start (cats)
4 weeks
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet
Set by: Rabies vaccination from 3 months old, at least 30 days before the trip (30 days before the trip)
5 days
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Tell MINSA 3 to 5 business days before your pet arrives (3 to 5 business days before arrival: 7 to 5 calendar days is our conversion (always within that range on working weeks without holidays), not an official figure)
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (cats)
- No rabies blood test
- No import permit
- No quarantine
- Parasite treatment before travel
- Tell the authority in advance
Rule-change alertsChecked daily
Know the moment the rules change from New Zealand to Panama
We check the official sources every day. If a rule changes, you get a notification on this device.
- Free
- No email or account
- Turn off any time
- 1Tap Share in Safari
- 2Choose Add to Home Screen
- 3Open Pawhopper from your Home Screen, then tap Turn on alerts here
Alerts are on
We’ll notify this device when a rule changes from New Zealand to Panama.
New pet travel guides are on for this browser.
Pawhopper · now
Rule change for pets travelling from New Zealand to Panama
Leaving rules: Costa Rica, Panama and Viet Nam. Tap to see what changed.
Prefer a feed reader? New Zealand rule changes · Panama rule changes
We keep only this browser’s push address and the countries, until you turn alerts off. Privacy
New Zealand → Panama
What your pet needs
In the order you do them. Each step says whether New Zealand (leaving) or Panama (entering) asks for it.
Dogs
Get ready
VaccinationEntering Panama
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.”
VaccinationEntering Panama
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.”
In the days before you travel
TreatmentEntering Panama
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.”
PaperworkNew Zealand and Panama
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
Export certificate signed by an MPI Official Veterinarian: The destination's export certificate is completed, signed off by an official veterinarian and travels with your pet. If you don't use a registered pet exporter, an MPI Official Veterinarian signs the export certificate before your pet leaves.
“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.”
“Certificates are forms that need to be completed, signed off by an official veterinarian, and travel with your pet.”
“If you are not using a pet exporter, you will need an MPI Official Veterinarian to sign the export certificate and AWEC prior to export.”
NoticeEntering Panama
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”
Travel day and arrival
On arrivalEntering Panama
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.”
Only in some cases
Official stamp · only in some casesLeaving New Zealand
Animal Welfare Export Certificate (AWEC), if needed
Pets leaving New Zealand may also need an Animal Welfare Export Certificate from MPI, which ensures animals travel and arrive in good health. Without a pet exporter, an MPI Official Veterinarian signs it before export.
The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.
Details and the official words
The Customs page doesn't say which trips need an AWEC. Ask MPI or a registered pet exporter for your destination.
Cats and dogs exported to Australia are exempt (New Zealand Gazette notice No. 1195, 2001), so this step isn't shown for Australia.
“Pets being taken out of New Zealand may also need an Animal Welfare Export Certificate (AWEC) from MPI.”
“AWECs ensure that animals travel and arrive in good health.”
“Cats and dogs exported to Australia.”
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.
- Every pet leaving New Zealand must meet the destination country's requirements. MPI has agreed export requirements and certificates with most countries; the requirements set what the export certificate must say.
- Customs advises contacting a registered pet exporter to organise the export. Some airlines only take animal bookings through a pet exporter, not from the public.
Cats
Get ready
VaccinationEntering Panama
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.”
VaccinationEntering Panama
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.”
In the days before you travel
TreatmentEntering Panama
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.”
PaperworkNew Zealand and Panama
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
Export certificate signed by an MPI Official Veterinarian: The destination's export certificate is completed, signed off by an official veterinarian and travels with your pet. If you don't use a registered pet exporter, an MPI Official Veterinarian signs the export certificate before your pet leaves.
“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.”
“Certificates are forms that need to be completed, signed off by an official veterinarian, and travel with your pet.”
“If you are not using a pet exporter, you will need an MPI Official Veterinarian to sign the export certificate and AWEC prior to export.”
NoticeEntering Panama
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”
Travel day and arrival
On arrivalEntering Panama
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.”
Only in some cases
Official stamp · only in some casesLeaving New Zealand
Animal Welfare Export Certificate (AWEC), if needed
Pets leaving New Zealand may also need an Animal Welfare Export Certificate from MPI, which ensures animals travel and arrive in good health. Without a pet exporter, an MPI Official Veterinarian signs it before export.
The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.
Details and the official words
The Customs page doesn't say which trips need an AWEC. Ask MPI or a registered pet exporter for your destination.
Cats and dogs exported to Australia are exempt (New Zealand Gazette notice No. 1195, 2001), so this step isn't shown for Australia.
“Pets being taken out of New Zealand may also need an Animal Welfare Export Certificate (AWEC) from MPI.”
“AWECs ensure that animals travel and arrive in good health.”
“Cats and dogs exported to Australia.”
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.
- Every pet leaving New Zealand must meet the destination country's requirements. MPI has agreed export requirements and certificates with most countries; the requirements set what the export certificate must say.
- Customs advises contacting a registered pet exporter to organise the export. Some airlines only take animal bookings through a pet exporter, not from the public.
Money
What it costs
Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in New Zealand publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.
Government fees on this route
MIDA import licence (one per species, cash)Entering Panama10 USD
“B/. 10.00 (dólares) en efectivo por concepto de “Licencia Fito‐zoosanitaria de Importación”; (1) una licencia por especie.”
Introducción de animales menores a la República de Panamá (MIDA, DECA) · as of 2026-10-12
MIDA veterinary inspection (per animal, cash)Entering Panama · 15 USD for each extra pet15 USD
“B/. 15.00 (dólares) en efectivo por la Inspección Veterinaria por animal.”
Introducción de animales menores a la República de Panamá (MIDA, DECA) · as of 2026-10-12
MINSA entry and veterinary inspection (per animal, cash)Entering Panama · 40 USD for each extra pet40 USD
“Ingreso de animales menores e inspección veterinaria: B/. 40 (dólares) en efectivo por animal.”
Introducción de animales menores a la República de Panamá (MIDA, DECA) · as of 2026-10-12
Government fees in total: 65 USD (each currency separately)
What vets and labs charge Not official figures
Rabies vaccinationyour vet · for: rabies vaccination from 3 months old, at least 30 days before the trip250 NZD
New Zealand: 1 published price
- Mobile Pet Vaccine (Auckland, mobile): Rabies vaccine for export, given at home by a mobile vet service (a call-out fee is charged per visit on top)250 NZD · per vaccine · read 2026-10-13
Other vaccinationsyour vet · for: dogs: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus vaccinations45–126 NZD
New Zealand: 3 published prices
- Mobile Pet Vaccine (Auckland, mobile): Dog core vaccine (Versican Plus DHPPi), mobile home visit; the page says a health check is included free and a $50 call-out fee is charged per visit45 NZD · per vaccine · read 2026-10-13
- Vetcall (Linwood, Christchurch): Dog/puppy vaccination including a full health check; price depends on which vaccines are needed99.80–126 NZD · per vaccination visit · read 2026-10-13
- Kamo Veterinary (Kamo, Whangārei): Dog parvo vaccination at a first/annual visit, including the mandatory health check (lepto and kennel cough are extra add-ons)109.01 NZD · per vaccination visit · read 2026-10-13
No published prices yet for New Zealand: health certificate (vet’s fee), parasite treatment.
Prices that businesses publish on their own pages, quoted as we read them; yours can differ. Ranges are the lowest to highest of these examples, never our estimate. How we collect prices
Airline fees aren’t included: check your airline’s pet page.
Round trip
Coming back to New Zealand
New Zealand only accepts cats and dogs from countries MPI has approved (Categories 1, 2 and 3), and this country is not on those lists. Your pet would have to live in an approved country first, or the exporting country's veterinary authority would have to ask MPI to approve it.
New Zealand only accepts cats and dogs from countries MPI has approved (Categories 1, 2 and 3), and this country is not on those lists. Your pet would have to live in an approved country first, or the exporting country's veterinary authority would have to ask MPI to approve it.
Nearby routes
Other routes
Where this comes from
Official sources
- Introducción de animales menores a la República de Panamá (MIDA, DECA)
- Requisitos para la introducción de animales menores al país (perros, gatos y hurones), Aeropuerto de Tocumen (MIDA/MINSA, March 2026)
- Move your pets overseas (New Zealand Customs Service)
- Additional Exemptions From the Requirements for Animal Welfare Export Certificates Under the Animal Welfare Act 1999, Notice No. 1195 (New Zealand Gazette, 10 May 2001)
Last checked against the official pages: 2026-10-12.
Questions owners ask
Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from New Zealand 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 or cat into Panama?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for an import permit.
Will my dog or cat be quarantined in Panama?
Not on the routes we have verified: the official rules list no quarantine for a pet that meets the requirements.
How early should I start preparing my pet for New Zealand to Panama?
With nothing done yet, start at least 4 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: rabies vaccination from 3 months old, at least 30 days before the trip, dogs: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus vaccinations and internal and external parasite treatments before boarding and 2 more.
Every rule here is quoted from the official page and checked word for word; not legal advice. How we verify · Report a mistake
Read next
Turn this into dates for your pet
Where from, where to, when. You get every step with its deadline and the official page it comes from.