Pet travel route
Taking a dog or cat from Saudi Arabia → 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)
2 weeks
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
Health requirements applied through MEWA and endorsed in the export health certificate: The importing country's veterinary health requirements must be carried out through the Ministry's clinics or offices, then verified and endorsed in the export health certificate.
“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.”
“must be verified and endorsed in the export health certificate”
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.”
Permit
Import permit and conditions from the destination
Attach a copy of the import permit issued by the importing country. It must state the animal health conditions required, and come from the competent authority responsible for livestock in the importing country.
Details and the official words
“A copy of the import permit issued by the importing country must be attached, indicating the required animal health conditions.”
Permit
MEWA export permit (Naama platform)
Request the export permit on the Naama platform at least 15 days before the shipment date. It is valid for 30 days from issue, and your pet must leave through the port named in it.
Details and the official words
“The export permit request must be submitted at least 15 days before the shipment date”
“The export permit is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance”
“The shipment must depart through the port specified in the export permit”
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 Ministry can set and schedule your pet's departure date according to the capacity of the quarantine facility at the exit port.
- All quarantine procedures follow the Veterinary Quarantine Law and the Animal Welfare Law of the GCC states, and their executive regulations as enforced in Saudi Arabia.
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
Health requirements applied through MEWA and endorsed in the export health certificate: The importing country's veterinary health requirements must be carried out through the Ministry's clinics or offices, then verified and endorsed in the export health certificate.
“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.”
“must be verified and endorsed in the export health certificate”
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.”
Permit
Import permit and conditions from the destination
Attach a copy of the import permit issued by the importing country. It must state the animal health conditions required, and come from the competent authority responsible for livestock in the importing country.
Details and the official words
“A copy of the import permit issued by the importing country must be attached, indicating the required animal health conditions.”
Permit
MEWA export permit (Naama platform)
Request the export permit on the Naama platform at least 15 days before the shipment date. It is valid for 30 days from issue, and your pet must leave through the port named in it.
Details and the official words
“The export permit request must be submitted at least 15 days before the shipment date”
“The export permit is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance”
“The shipment must depart through the port specified in the export permit”
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 Ministry can set and schedule your pet's departure date according to the capacity of the quarantine facility at the exit port.
- All quarantine procedures follow the Veterinary Quarantine Law and the Animal Welfare Law of the GCC states, and their executive regulations as enforced in Saudi Arabia.
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 Saudi Arabia 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?
Yes: Attach a copy of the import permit issued by the importing country.
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.