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Pawhopper

Pet travel route

Dog or cat from Panama to Uruguay: official requirements

Possible. With nothing done yet, start at least 3 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: dogs: microchip (ISO 11784, HDX or FDX-B), linked to the certificate, rabies vaccination, valid on arrival (21 days after a first vaccination) and dogs: negative leishmaniosis test within 60 days before entry and 4 more.

Rules checked up to 13 October 2026From 5 official pages

In short

Limited official guidance. The authority for leaving Panama publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. MIDA's pages describe only the basic steps for the export licence. They don't say how far ahead to apply, how long the licence is valid or whether any other office must sign. A 2026 Ministry of Health decree has a section on export certificates for dogs and cats, but the official gazette blocks automated readers and we couldn't check it there: ask MIDA (560-5890) and the Ministry of Health before you travel.

At a glance

How early to start (dogs)

3 weeks

if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet

Set by: Rabies vaccination, valid on arrival (21 days after a first vaccination) (at least 21 days before entry, for a first vaccination)

No official wait

if it is already microchipped and vaccinated

The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.

On this route (dogs)

  • Parasite treatment before travel
  • Extra disease test

Part of this route is still under review, so we don’t say what it doesn’t need.

How early to start (cats)

3 weeks

if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet

Set by: Rabies vaccination, valid on arrival (21 days after a first vaccination) (at least 21 days before entry, for a first vaccination)

No official wait

if it is already microchipped and vaccinated

The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.

On this route (cats)

  • Parasite treatment before travel

Part of this route is still under review, so we don’t say what it doesn’t need.

Prefer a feed reader? Panama rule changes · Uruguay rule changes

Panama → Uruguay

What your pet needs

In the order you do them. Each step says whether Panama (leaving) or Uruguay (entering) asks for it.

Dogs

Taking a dog or cat out of Panama (MIDA): we summarised this from a short or older official page and it is still under review, so it may be incomplete.

  1. Get ready

    1. IdentificationEntering Uruguay

      Dogs: microchip (ISO 11784, HDX or FDX-B), linked to the certificate

      Your dog must be identified with a microchip whose number is on its international health certificate. The chip must meet ISO 11784 and use HDX or FDX-B technology (read with an ISO 11785 reader); if it doesn't, bring a reader that can read it. MGAP's pages don't ask for a microchip for cats.

      Details and the official words

      “Deberá estar chipeado conforme a Resolución Nº 273 de DGSG de 27/08/2018,”

      “A partir del 1ºde octubre de 2018, los animales de la especie canina no residentes, deberán ingresar y egresar del país, con identificación individual mediante dispositivo electrónico (microchip), asociado al Certificado Sanitario Internacional expedido por la autoridad sanitaria competente del país de origen.”

      “Los microchips colocados en el extranjero, deberán cumplir con la norma ISO 1 1784 y aplicar la tecnología HDX o FDH-B. Los mismos se leerán con un lector compatible con la norma ISO 11785. En caso que el dispositivo colocado no cumpla con las normas precedentes, el responsable deberá proveer de un lector que permita la lectura del microchip al ingreso al país.”

    2. VaccinationEntering Uruguay

      Rabies vaccination, valid on arrival (21 days after a first vaccination)

      Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies with a vaccine authorised in the country it comes from, and the vaccination must still be valid (as the manufacturer states) when it enters Uruguay. After a first vaccination, wait at least 21 days before entering Uruguay. The certificate gives the date, type, batch and brand of the vaccine.

      Details and the official words

      For dogs, MGAP adds that a dog coming from a country or zone that meets WOAH's conditions to be declared free of rabies may enter without the vaccination if the certificate or passport states this. MGAP doesn't publish a list of such countries, so we show the vaccination: ask MGAP (dsacomercio@mgap.gub.uy) if your dog comes from a rabies-free country.

      “Los perros deben estar vacunados contra la rabia con vacunas autorizadas por la Autoridad Veterinaria del país de origen / procedencia y con inmunidad vigente según el plazo de validez otorgado por el laboratorio fabricante de la vacuna.”

      “Los gatos deben estar vacunados contra la rabia con vacunas autorizadas por la Autoridad Veterinaria del país de origen / procedencia y con inmunidad vigente según el plazo de validez otorgado por el laboratorio fabricante de la vacuna.”

      “Cuando se trate de animales vacunados por primera vez, la vacuna debe haber sido aplicada al menos VEINTIÚN (21) días previos al ingreso a Uruguay.”

      “Si el animal proviene de un país o zona que cumple con las recomendaciones establecidas en el Código Terrestre de la ORGANIZACIÓN MUNDIAL DE SANIDAD ANIMAL (OMSA) para ser declarado libre de Rabia, podrá ingresar sin la vacunación contra esta enfermedad, debiéndose certificar esta condición en el CVI o Pasaporte.”

  2. In the days before you travel

    1. TestEntering Uruguay

      Dogs: negative leishmaniosis test within 60 days before entry

      Dogs from a country that hasn't declared itself free of leishmaniosis to WOAH need a negative leishmaniosis test (IFAT, ELISA or direct agglutination for antibodies, or a molecular test for the parasite), done to WOAH's manual no more than 60 days before entering Uruguay. The result goes on the certificate or passport.

      The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.

      Details and the official words

      MGAP doesn't list which countries have declared themselves free of leishmaniosis to WOAH, so we show the test for every dog. Ask MGAP (dsacomercio@mgap.gub.uy) whether your dog's country of origin is exempt.

      “Para los países que no se declaren como libres de Leishmaniosis ante la OMSA, se exigirá la prueba de detección de la respuesta inmunitaria negativa a dicha enfermedad (IFAT, ELISA o prueba de aglutinación directa), o detección del agente (por métodos moleculares), en un plazo no mayor de SESENTA (60) días anteriores a la fecha de ingreso del canino a Uruguay.”

    2. Vet examEntering Uruguay

      Vet examination within 10 days before the certificate

      Within the 10 days before the certificate is issued, a vet licensed in the exporting country examines your pet and confirms it is clinically healthy, shows no sign of parasites and is fit to travel to Uruguay. It must be free of signs of infectious and parasitic diseases.

      Details and the official words

      “Su mascota fue sometida, dentro de los diez (10) días previos a la fecha de emisión del CVI, a un examen clínico efectuado por un profesional veterinario matriculado en el país exportador, que acredite que dicho animal se encuentra clínicamente sano, sin evidencias de parasitosis y que está apto para su traslado hacia Uruguay.”

      “Su mascota debe estar libre de síntomas y signos de enfermedades infecciosas y parasitarias.”

    3. Vet examLeaving Panama

      Certificate of good health from a qualified vet (no more than 72 hours old) and an up-to-date vaccination card

      A qualified vet (médico veterinario idóneo) examines your pet and issues a certificate of good health, no more than 72 hours old when you collect MIDA's licence. Bring the up-to-date vaccination card (combined vaccine and rabies) and the record of parasite treatments, originals and one set of copies.

      Details and the official words

      “Es indispensable portar la Cartilla de Vacunación actualizada (múltiple y rabia), y un Certificado de Buena Salud emitido por un médico veterinario idóneo con una vigencia no mayor a 72 horas.”

      “Cartillas actualizadas de vacunas (múltiple y rabia) y desparasitaciones.”

    4. TreatmentEntering Uruguay

      Internal and external parasite treatment within 15 days before the certificate

      Your pet is treated against internal and external parasites within the 15 days before the certificate is issued (or the passport is endorsed), with products approved in the country it comes from. The date and product go on the certificate. For dogs, the internal treatment must contain praziquantel.

      Details and the official words

      “Desparasitación interna y externa donde conste fecha y producto aplicado, realizada dentro de los QUINCE (15) días previos a la fecha de emisión del CVI o a la intervención del Pasaporte, con productos veterinarios aprobados por la Autoridad Veterinaria del país de origen/procedencia. El antiparasitario interno deberá contener como principio activo Praziquantel.”

      “Desparasitación interna y externa donde conste fecha y producto aplicado, dentro de los QUINCE (15) días previos a la fecha de emisión del CVI o a la intervención del Pasaporte, con productos veterinarios aprobados por la Autoridad Veterinaria del país de origen/procedencia.”

    5. PaperworkPanama and Uruguay

      International veterinary certificate (CVI) from the official authority

      Your pet enters with an international veterinary certificate (CVI) issued by the official veterinary authority of its country of origin, stating the examination, parasite treatments, rabies vaccination and (dogs) microchip and leishmaniosis test. An official pet passport is accepted instead only if an official vet of that authority has signed and stamped it before boarding. Present it with your pet at MGAP's office at the border.

      Details and the official words

      MGAP's entry pages don't say how long the certificate stays valid for entry; its exit page says certificates for travel within Mercosur are valid for 60 days. Ask your vet to issue it as close to travel as the 10-day examination and 15-day parasite windows allow.

      MIDA export licence: request it on SITERPA, collect it in person: Request the export licence (Licencia Fitozoosanitaria de Exportación) online on MIDA's SITERPA portal with the red 'MASCOTAS' button, and note the request number. Then collect it in person at Plaza Edison (ground floor, single window) in Panama City or at MIDA's offices in Herrera or Chiriquí, with the vet's certificate and the vaccination card (originals and copies). One licence per species, 10 balboas each, paid by deposit at Banco Nacional (bring the slip).

      Executive Decree 8 of 26 February 2026 (Ministry of Health) has a section on export certificates for dogs, cats and ferrets. The official gazette blocks automated readers, so we couldn't check it there. A copy on the UN's legal database (not an official source) says the certificates must be presented to the ministry's National Directorate of Food Control and Veterinary Surveillance 5 working days before the trip for evaluation and signature. Ask MIDA and the Ministry of Health whether this applies before you book.

      “Al momento del ingreso al país, debe presentar en el paso de frontera de ingreso, un Certificado Veterinario Internacional (CVI), emitido por la autoridad oficial de su país de origen, conforme a la Resolución Mercosur GMC 17/15, donde consten las siguientes declaraciones:”

      “Al momento del ingreso al país, debe presentar, en el paso de frontera de ingreso, un Certificado Veterinario Internacional (CVI), emitido por la autoridad oficial de su país de origen, donde consten las siguientes declaraciones:”

      “Vacuna antirrábica vigente (en el CVI deberá constar fecha de vacunación, tipo, serie y marca de vacuna).”

      “El Ministerio de Desarrollo Agropecuario (MIDA) a través de la Dirección Ejecutiva de Cuarentena Agropecuaria (DECA) emite las Licencias Fitozoosanitarias de Exportación de mascotas (caninos y felinos).”

      “Para lo cual los usuarios deben Ingresar a SITERPA , dando click al botón ROJO llamado «MASCOTAS» para registrar los datos requeridos y enviar la solicitud del documento vía web.”

      “Para finalizar el proceso de exportación y retirar la Licencia (que tiene un costo de B/. 10.00), el solicitante debe presentarse personalmente en las oficinas designadas (Plaza Edison en Panamá o en las provincias de Herrera y Chiriquí) con la documentación original y copias.”

      “Se emite una Licencia por Especie y cada Licencia tiene un costo de 10.00 balboas (debe entregar el slip del depósito realizado al Banco Nacional”

  3. Travel day and arrival

    1. On arrivalEntering Uruguay

      Show your pet and documents at MGAP's border office

      When you enter Uruguay, present your pet and its documents at MGAP's office at the border crossing. No import authorisation is needed for a dog or cat travelling with you, and there is no charge.

      Details and the official words

      “Presentar la documentación solicitada y la mascota, en las oficinas del MGAP dispuestas en los pasos de frontera al momento del ingreso al país.”

      “Si ingresa a Uruguay junto con su perro o gato, no es necesario presentar autorización de ingreso emitida por MGAP.”

      “Perros y gatos: no tiene costo.”

Good to know

  • MGAP accepts an official pet passport instead of the certificate only if it is valid, holds all the health information required and has been signed and stamped by an official vet of the animal health authority of the country before boarding. A passport without that official validation is not accepted.
  • If your pet arrives as cargo at Carrasco airport (even on your own flight), MGAP must be told at least 72 business hours before arrival by email to aeropuertoic@mgap.gub.uy, with the documents scanned.
  • Staying less than 30 days? You can leave Uruguay with the same certificate you entered with, as long as it states how long it is valid; otherwise you need a new certificate from MGAP to leave.
  • These are only the basic steps for leaving Panama. You are responsible for checking and meeting every requirement of the destination, which may include extra paperwork for your pet.
  • If your dog will come back to Panama, tell MIDA when you apply: it gives more information for that case.

Cats

Taking a dog or cat out of Panama (MIDA): we summarised this from a short or older official page and it is still under review, so it may be incomplete.

  1. Get ready

    1. VaccinationEntering Uruguay

      Rabies vaccination, valid on arrival (21 days after a first vaccination)

      Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies with a vaccine authorised in the country it comes from, and the vaccination must still be valid (as the manufacturer states) when it enters Uruguay. After a first vaccination, wait at least 21 days before entering Uruguay. The certificate gives the date, type, batch and brand of the vaccine.

      Details and the official words

      For dogs, MGAP adds that a dog coming from a country or zone that meets WOAH's conditions to be declared free of rabies may enter without the vaccination if the certificate or passport states this. MGAP doesn't publish a list of such countries, so we show the vaccination: ask MGAP (dsacomercio@mgap.gub.uy) if your dog comes from a rabies-free country.

      “Los perros deben estar vacunados contra la rabia con vacunas autorizadas por la Autoridad Veterinaria del país de origen / procedencia y con inmunidad vigente según el plazo de validez otorgado por el laboratorio fabricante de la vacuna.”

      “Los gatos deben estar vacunados contra la rabia con vacunas autorizadas por la Autoridad Veterinaria del país de origen / procedencia y con inmunidad vigente según el plazo de validez otorgado por el laboratorio fabricante de la vacuna.”

      “Cuando se trate de animales vacunados por primera vez, la vacuna debe haber sido aplicada al menos VEINTIÚN (21) días previos al ingreso a Uruguay.”

      “Si el animal proviene de un país o zona que cumple con las recomendaciones establecidas en el Código Terrestre de la ORGANIZACIÓN MUNDIAL DE SANIDAD ANIMAL (OMSA) para ser declarado libre de Rabia, podrá ingresar sin la vacunación contra esta enfermedad, debiéndose certificar esta condición en el CVI o Pasaporte.”

  2. In the days before you travel

    1. Vet examEntering Uruguay

      Vet examination within 10 days before the certificate

      Within the 10 days before the certificate is issued, a vet licensed in the exporting country examines your pet and confirms it is clinically healthy, shows no sign of parasites and is fit to travel to Uruguay. It must be free of signs of infectious and parasitic diseases.

      Details and the official words

      “Su mascota fue sometida, dentro de los diez (10) días previos a la fecha de emisión del CVI, a un examen clínico efectuado por un profesional veterinario matriculado en el país exportador, que acredite que dicho animal se encuentra clínicamente sano, sin evidencias de parasitosis y que está apto para su traslado hacia Uruguay.”

      “Su mascota debe estar libre de síntomas y signos de enfermedades infecciosas y parasitarias.”

    2. Vet examLeaving Panama

      Certificate of good health from a qualified vet (no more than 72 hours old) and an up-to-date vaccination card

      A qualified vet (médico veterinario idóneo) examines your pet and issues a certificate of good health, no more than 72 hours old when you collect MIDA's licence. Bring the up-to-date vaccination card (combined vaccine and rabies) and the record of parasite treatments, originals and one set of copies.

      Details and the official words

      “Es indispensable portar la Cartilla de Vacunación actualizada (múltiple y rabia), y un Certificado de Buena Salud emitido por un médico veterinario idóneo con una vigencia no mayor a 72 horas.”

      “Cartillas actualizadas de vacunas (múltiple y rabia) y desparasitaciones.”

    3. TreatmentEntering Uruguay

      Internal and external parasite treatment within 15 days before the certificate

      Your cat is treated against internal and external parasites within the 15 days before the certificate is issued (or the passport is endorsed), with products approved in the country it comes from. The date and product go on the certificate.

      Details and the official words

      “Desparasitación interna y externa donde conste fecha y producto aplicado, realizada dentro de los QUINCE (15) días previos a la fecha de emisión del CVI o a la intervención del Pasaporte, con productos veterinarios aprobados por la Autoridad Veterinaria del país de origen/procedencia. El antiparasitario interno deberá contener como principio activo Praziquantel.”

      “Desparasitación interna y externa donde conste fecha y producto aplicado, dentro de los QUINCE (15) días previos a la fecha de emisión del CVI o a la intervención del Pasaporte, con productos veterinarios aprobados por la Autoridad Veterinaria del país de origen/procedencia.”

    4. PaperworkPanama and Uruguay

      International veterinary certificate (CVI) from the official authority

      Your pet enters with an international veterinary certificate (CVI) issued by the official veterinary authority of its country of origin, stating the examination, parasite treatments, rabies vaccination and (dogs) microchip and leishmaniosis test. An official pet passport is accepted instead only if an official vet of that authority has signed and stamped it before boarding. Present it with your pet at MGAP's office at the border.

      Details and the official words

      MGAP's entry pages don't say how long the certificate stays valid for entry; its exit page says certificates for travel within Mercosur are valid for 60 days. Ask your vet to issue it as close to travel as the 10-day examination and 15-day parasite windows allow.

      MIDA export licence: request it on SITERPA, collect it in person: Request the export licence (Licencia Fitozoosanitaria de Exportación) online on MIDA's SITERPA portal with the red 'MASCOTAS' button, and note the request number. Then collect it in person at Plaza Edison (ground floor, single window) in Panama City or at MIDA's offices in Herrera or Chiriquí, with the vet's certificate and the vaccination card (originals and copies). One licence per species, 10 balboas each, paid by deposit at Banco Nacional (bring the slip).

      Executive Decree 8 of 26 February 2026 (Ministry of Health) has a section on export certificates for dogs, cats and ferrets. The official gazette blocks automated readers, so we couldn't check it there. A copy on the UN's legal database (not an official source) says the certificates must be presented to the ministry's National Directorate of Food Control and Veterinary Surveillance 5 working days before the trip for evaluation and signature. Ask MIDA and the Ministry of Health whether this applies before you book.

      “Al momento del ingreso al país, debe presentar en el paso de frontera de ingreso, un Certificado Veterinario Internacional (CVI), emitido por la autoridad oficial de su país de origen, conforme a la Resolución Mercosur GMC 17/15, donde consten las siguientes declaraciones:”

      “Al momento del ingreso al país, debe presentar, en el paso de frontera de ingreso, un Certificado Veterinario Internacional (CVI), emitido por la autoridad oficial de su país de origen, donde consten las siguientes declaraciones:”

      “Vacuna antirrábica vigente (en el CVI deberá constar fecha de vacunación, tipo, serie y marca de vacuna).”

      “El Ministerio de Desarrollo Agropecuario (MIDA) a través de la Dirección Ejecutiva de Cuarentena Agropecuaria (DECA) emite las Licencias Fitozoosanitarias de Exportación de mascotas (caninos y felinos).”

      “Para lo cual los usuarios deben Ingresar a SITERPA , dando click al botón ROJO llamado «MASCOTAS» para registrar los datos requeridos y enviar la solicitud del documento vía web.”

      “Para finalizar el proceso de exportación y retirar la Licencia (que tiene un costo de B/. 10.00), el solicitante debe presentarse personalmente en las oficinas designadas (Plaza Edison en Panamá o en las provincias de Herrera y Chiriquí) con la documentación original y copias.”

      “Se emite una Licencia por Especie y cada Licencia tiene un costo de 10.00 balboas (debe entregar el slip del depósito realizado al Banco Nacional”

  3. Travel day and arrival

    1. On arrivalEntering Uruguay

      Show your pet and documents at MGAP's border office

      When you enter Uruguay, present your pet and its documents at MGAP's office at the border crossing. No import authorisation is needed for a dog or cat travelling with you, and there is no charge.

      Details and the official words

      “Presentar la documentación solicitada y la mascota, en las oficinas del MGAP dispuestas en los pasos de frontera al momento del ingreso al país.”

      “Si ingresa a Uruguay junto con su perro o gato, no es necesario presentar autorización de ingreso emitida por MGAP.”

      “Perros y gatos: no tiene costo.”

Good to know

  • MGAP accepts an official pet passport instead of the certificate only if it is valid, holds all the health information required and has been signed and stamped by an official vet of the animal health authority of the country before boarding. A passport without that official validation is not accepted.
  • If your pet arrives as cargo at Carrasco airport (even on your own flight), MGAP must be told at least 72 business hours before arrival by email to aeropuertoic@mgap.gub.uy, with the documents scanned.
  • Staying less than 30 days? You can leave Uruguay with the same certificate you entered with, as long as it states how long it is valid; otherwise you need a new certificate from MGAP to leave.
  • These are only the basic steps for leaving Panama. You are responsible for checking and meeting every requirement of the destination, which may include extra paperwork for your pet.

Money

What it costs

Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in Panama publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.

Government fees on this route

Government fees in total: 10 USD (each currency separately)

What vets and labs charge Not official figures

We have no published vet or lab prices for Panama yet.

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 Panama

Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Panama (dogs).

The trip back asks for 8 steps: Tell MINSA 3 to 5 business days before your pet arrives, official export health certificate, apostilled, at most 30 days old, rabies vaccination from 3 months old, at least 30 days before the trip and dogs: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus vaccinations and more.

Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Panama (cats).

The trip back asks for 7 steps: Tell MINSA 3 to 5 business days before your pet arrives, official export health certificate, apostilled, at most 30 days old, rabies vaccination from 3 months old, at least 30 days before the trip and cats: rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia vaccinations and more.

Every step from Uruguay to Panama

Nearby routes

Other routes

Where this comes from

Official sources

Questions owners ask

Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from Panama to Uruguay?

We couldn't find this in our summary of the rules, but that summary is short and still under review. Ask the official authority before you rely on it.

Do I need an import permit to bring my dog or cat into Uruguay?

We couldn't find this in our summary of the rules, but that summary is short and still under review. Ask the official authority before you rely on it.

Will my dog or cat be quarantined in Uruguay?

We couldn't find this in our summary of the rules, but that summary is short and still under review. Ask the official authority before you rely on it.

How early should I start preparing my pet for Panama to Uruguay?

With nothing done yet, start at least 3 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: dogs: microchip (ISO 11784, HDX or FDX-B), linked to the certificate, rabies vaccination, valid on arrival (21 days after a first vaccination) and dogs: negative leishmaniosis test within 60 days before entry and 4 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.

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