Pet travel route
Taking a dog or cat from Singapore → 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
AVS endorsement of the destination's health certificate: If the destination needs a vet health certificate: a licensed private vet examines your pet and completes the destination's template; if the destination wants an official vet's endorsement, apply on GoBusiness and drop the original template, vaccination records and lab results at the AVS drop-off box (Raffles Building, Singapore Botanic Gardens). Endorsement takes two working days; express isn't available.
If the destination has no certificate template of its own, AVS can issue a QR-verifiable certificate from your vet's certificate; it is valid for only seven days from issue.
“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.”
“The service standard for endorsement of importing country’s veterinary health certificate template is two (2) working days.”
“The QR verifiable veterinary health certificate is only valid for seven days from its date of issue.”
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
AVS export licence (GoBusiness)
Every pet leaving Singapore needs an export licence. Apply on the GoBusiness Licensing Portal within 90 days before you leave: it is valid for 90 days from issue. It costs S$50 and is issued two working days after you submit all documents (S$100 for the one-working-day express service).
Details and the official words
“This licence is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.”
“Licence issuance will take place two working days after submission of all completed documents.”
Only in some cases
On arrival · only in some cases
Pre-export inspection (only if the destination requires it)
If the destination makes a pre-export inspection a condition of entry, request an appointment through NParks eServices at least five days before departure. The inspection is at the Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station during its opening hours. Turning up without an appointment means an inspection fee.
Details and the official words
“at least five days before the animal’s departure”
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.
- AVS tells you to check the destination country's import requirements first: some countries ask for vaccinations, lab tests or a vet health certificate before your pet can enter.
- Once your dog has left Singapore, cancel its dog licence in PALS.
- AVS fees: export licence S$50 (normal, issued 2 working days after complete documents) or S$100 (express, 1 working day); vet certificate endorsement S$23 (normal) or S$46 (express, not available for endorsing a destination's own template).
- On the day, bring your pet to the ground handling agent (SATS Gateway or dnata at Changi) with a copy of the AVS export licence, the original vet health certificate and any other documents the destination needs.
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
AVS endorsement of the destination's health certificate: If the destination needs a vet health certificate: a licensed private vet examines your pet and completes the destination's template; if the destination wants an official vet's endorsement, apply on GoBusiness and drop the original template, vaccination records and lab results at the AVS drop-off box (Raffles Building, Singapore Botanic Gardens). Endorsement takes two working days; express isn't available.
If the destination has no certificate template of its own, AVS can issue a QR-verifiable certificate from your vet's certificate; it is valid for only seven days from issue.
“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.”
“The service standard for endorsement of importing country’s veterinary health certificate template is two (2) working days.”
“The QR verifiable veterinary health certificate is only valid for seven days from its date of issue.”
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
AVS export licence (GoBusiness)
Every pet leaving Singapore needs an export licence. Apply on the GoBusiness Licensing Portal within 90 days before you leave: it is valid for 90 days from issue. It costs S$50 and is issued two working days after you submit all documents (S$100 for the one-working-day express service).
Details and the official words
“This licence is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.”
“Licence issuance will take place two working days after submission of all completed documents.”
Only in some cases
On arrival · only in some cases
Pre-export inspection (only if the destination requires it)
If the destination makes a pre-export inspection a condition of entry, request an appointment through NParks eServices at least five days before departure. The inspection is at the Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station during its opening hours. Turning up without an appointment means an inspection fee.
Details and the official words
“at least five days before the animal’s departure”
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.
- AVS tells you to check the destination country's import requirements first: some countries ask for vaccinations, lab tests or a vet health certificate before your pet can enter.
- AVS fees: export licence S$50 (normal, issued 2 working days after complete documents) or S$100 (express, 1 working day); vet certificate endorsement S$23 (normal) or S$46 (express, not available for endorsing a destination's own template).
- On the day, bring your pet to the ground handling agent (SATS Gateway or dnata at Changi) with a copy of the AVS export licence, the original vet health certificate and any other documents the destination needs.
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 Singapore 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: Every pet leaving Singapore needs an export licence.
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.