Bringing your dog to Panama: paperwork, flights, quarantine

Why I wrote this — I transported my Australian Shepherd from France to Panama City at 9 months old, in Air France cargo CDG→PTY (11h direct). 8 months of prep, ~2,300 € total fees, 30h of research because no up-to-date guide in French or English clearly explained the MIDA process. Here’s what I wish I’d known before starting.

Global timing — plan 8 months

Realistic calendar for a clean import:

1. Month -8: ISO 11784/11785 microchip (40–80 €).
2. Month -7: rabies vaccine post-microchip (60–100 €).
3. Months -7 to -2: core vaccines up to date.
4. Month -2: order the IATA kennel.
5. Months -6 to -2: MIDA import permit (100 USD).
6. Month -1: official vet certificate + Hague apostille.
7. Months -2 to -1: book the flight with the pet option.
8. D-7: parasite treatment.
9. D-2: final vet visit and signed paperwork.
10. Day 0: boarding.

Tight but doable.

The MIDA permit — the real bottleneck

The MIDA (Ministerio de Desarrollo Agropecuario) issues the import permit. Online process since 2023:

1. Account on the MIDA portal.
2. Upload copies of:
   • dog passport (EU/equivalent ID);
   • rabies certificate with vet stamp;
   • microchip and ID;
   • full vaccine card.
3. Pay 100 USD.
4. Issued in 5–10 business days.

The permit is valid 30 days. Trigger it 4 weeks before departure, no earlier.

The IATA kennel — the underestimated line item

Air France and Copa require an IATA-compliant kennel (Live Animal Regulations). For Mango (12 kg), I used a Petmate Sky Kennel IATA 300 at 180 €. Avoid “airline-friendly” kennels that aren’t IATA — they’re refused at boarding.

Criteria:

• Height letting the dog stand without lowering its head;
• Width 1.5× the dog lying down;
• Vents on 3 sides (or 4, depending on carrier);
• Metal locks (plastic clips are refused).

The flight — carrier and hold

My choice: Air France CDG–PTY with Mango in a pressurized, heated hold. Cost: 350 € for the dog (12 kg + kennel). Booked via AF Pet Policy 14 days ahead.

Alternatives:

• Copa Airlines: cabin if dog + kennel < 8 kg, hold up to 32 kg.
• American Airlines: hold only into PTY, temperature constraints in summer (refused if t° > 29 °C on arrival).

Avoid layovers (USA in particular): your dog has to be re-collected and re-declared at each transit.

Arrival at PTY — the moment of truth

On landing, the dog comes out via cargo (separate terminal, 800 m from passenger terminal). Plan for:

• 30–60 minutes to retrieve the kennel;
• on-site MIDA control, paperwork verification;
• 65 USD MIDA customs fee;
• presentation of your Panama address (lease or Booking).

Tip — Hire a pet relocation agency (300–500 USD) to handle the cargo exit. At PTY, that’s the only stretch where my nerves frayed.

Home quarantine (40 days)

Once out of the airport, the dog must spend 40 days in home quarantine. MIDA may visit once. In practice, rare. Quarantine just means you can’t kennel the dog away from your home.

You can walk it, get local vaccines, see a Panama vet. You just can’t leave it in a boarding kennel or with a friend during a trip.

Real costs — my 2025 ticket

Useful next reads: Cheap flights to Panama City, Open a bank account, Friendly Nations Visa.

The Bring Your Dog to Panama Guide ($29) covers letter templates and the trusted vet list in Panama City.