A Quarantine for Domestic Animals form must be presented to the Ministry of Health Authorities three days before arriving in Panama. In addition to the form, which requires basic information about the pet and owner, the owner must include a USDA Sanitary Certificate signed by both a USDA vet as well as the pet's normal vet, a vaccination certificate, a $30 money order payable to Consulado General de Panama and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Veterinarians are available in Tocumen Airport, situated outside of Panama City, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. Monday through Friday. Pets arriving on weekends or after hours will be detained at the airport until a veterinarian can inspect them. Room and board for pets kept in the airport is $3.50 per day. As of 2010, the vet check and import license fee was $16.
Most pets are cleared by the airport veterinarian for home quarantine. Pets on home quarantine are required to stay under the supervision of the owner, though they are allowed outside. After several weeks, the dog will be cleared from quarantine or issued an order for treatment.
