PA
Panama
✈️
FR
France

Pet Transport Panama to France: 2026 Guide

20-26 weeks
Typical preparation
None
No quarantine required
High
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
Regulations verified

Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities. How we source our data →

Overview
France applies the EU unlisted country process to pets from Panama: FAVN titre test at an EU-approved laboratory, a mandatory 90-day wait from the blood draw date, and a MIDA-DINASA endorsed EU health certificate. Allow five to six months. There is no EU-approved laboratory in Panama, so the blood sample must be shipped internationally. Copa Airlines and American Airlines from Panama City connect to US hubs with onward Air France Cargo service to CDG.
Step by step

The Panama to France process

1
First step.
Microchip (ISO 11784/11785) before vaccination

Responsible: Panamanian vet

2
After chipping. 30-day wait before titre test.
Rabies vaccination

Responsible: Panamanian vet

3
30+ days post-vaccination. International sample shipping from PTY to EU-approved lab. 90-day wait starts from blood draw date.
FAVN titre test at EU-approved laboratory

Responsible: Panamanian vet + EU-approved lab

4
Cannot be shortened.
90-day mandatory wait from blood draw date

Responsible: N/A

5
During the wait.
Book cargo PTY to CDG via US or European hub

Responsible: Owner or agent

6
Within 10 days of travel. Allow sufficient time for DINASA endorsement.
MIDA-DINASA endorsed EU health certificate

Responsible: MIDA-registered vet + DINASA

7
Travel day. PTY to CDG typically 12-16 hours via US or European hub.
Arrive CDG. SIVEP inspection by DGAL officers.

Responsible: Airline + DGAL/SIVEP

Checklist

France: entry requirements

RequirementDetail
MicrochipISO 11784/11785. Implanted before vaccination.
Rabies vaccinationRequired. 21-day post-primary vaccination wait before travel.
Rabies titre testRequired. Panama is an EU unlisted third country. FAVN or ELISA test at EU-approved laboratory. Blood drawn 30+ days after vaccination. Minimum 0.5 IU/mL. Mandatory 90-day wait from blood draw date before entering France. Source: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131, April 2026.
QuarantineNone for compliant arrivals.
Import permitNot required.
Health certificateEU-format certificate endorsed by MIDA-DINASA, issued within 10 days of travel.
Leaving Panama

Export requirements

RequirementDetail
Export permitNo formal export permit required for companion animals from Panama.
Health certificateEU-format health certificate from a MIDA-registered vet in Panama, endorsed by the Dirección Nacional de Sanidad Animal (DINASA) of MIDA. Issued within 10 days of travel to France. Departure airport: Tocumen International (PTY), Panama City.
Costs

What this route typically costs

1FAVN titre test (blood draw, EU lab, international shipping): USD 150-400
2MIDA-DINASA EU health certificate and endorsement: USD 50-150
3Cargo PTY to CDG via hub: EUR 900-2,500
4IATA crate: EUR 80-300
5Pet transport agent: EUR 400-1,000
6Total typical range: EUR 1,500-4,300 over 5-6 months
Critical points

Read before you book

⚠ Panama is EU unlisted for pet travel. The FAVN test and 90-day wait apply even though Panama has diplomatic and trade links with EU member states.
⚠ The 90-day wait starts from the blood draw date, not when results arrive. Plan accordingly.
⚠ France has Category 1 and Category 2 breed restrictions. Check French breed legislation before travel with Rottweilers, pitbull-type dogs, or similar.
⚠ International sample shipping from Panama City to an EU-approved lab requires correct biological packaging. Use an experienced vet or specialist agent.
Carriers

Airlines on this route

Air France via Paris CDG
Air France Cargo connects multiple points to CDG. PTY to MIA or another US hub, then Air France Cargo to CDG. CDG is France's primary live animal entry point and handles Central American cargo regularly.
Cargo Only
Copa Airlines to US hub, then Air France
Copa connects PTY to Miami (MIA) and New York (JFK). Air France Cargo from MIA or JFK to CDG. A well-established two-leg routing for Panamanian pet cargo.
Cargo Only
Iberia via Madrid
Iberia flies PTY to Madrid (MAD). Air France or Iberia Cargo from MAD to CDG. MAD to CDG is a short additional leg.
Cargo Only
KLM via Amsterdam
KLM Cargo from AMS to CDG is very short. PTY to AMS via Copa to US hub then KLM, with final CDG leg, is an alternative for specific timing needs.
Cargo Only

The EU unlisted country process and Panama

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131 (April 2026, replacing EU 576/2013) classifies third countries as either listed (rabies control systems assessed as equivalent to EU standards) or unlisted. Panama has not undergone EU equivalence assessment for pet travel and is treated as unlisted. This means the full titre test pathway applies: a FAVN test at an EU-approved laboratory, blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination with a result of at least 0.5 IU/mL, and a mandatory 90-day wait from the blood draw date before entering France.

Panama has no EU-approved laboratory domestically. Blood must be drawn at your Panamanian vet and shipped to an EU-approved lab in Europe or North America. Allow two to three weeks for shipping and processing. The 90-day clock starts from the draw date, so it is already running while you wait for the result. A pet owner who draws blood on day one has served 14-21 days of the 90-day wait by the time the result arrives.

Routing from Panama City to Paris CDG

The most practical routing from Tocumen International (PTY) to Paris CDG goes via Miami. Copa Airlines or American Airlines connect PTY to MIA in around three hours. Air France Cargo from MIA to CDG is a well-established route for cargo from the Americas. CDG is France’s primary entry point for live animal cargo, with DGAL/SIVEP officers stationed at the airport for document inspections.

Iberia via Madrid offers another option for those who prefer a European hub connection. The MAD-CDG leg is short, but it adds another connection point for live animal cargo. Confirm that each airline and each leg accepts live animal cargo before booking. Some transatlantic routes have seasonal restrictions on live animal cargo related to temperature embargoes.

FAQ

Common questions

No. EU pet travel classifications are based entirely on the country’s rabies surveillance and control regime as assessed by the European Commission. Political or historical relationships with EU member states or third countries have no bearing. Panama is unlisted because it has not undergone EU equivalence assessment.
No. The 90-day wait from the blood draw date is mandatory under EU rules and cannot be shortened regardless of the titre result, how many tests are done, or the titre level achieved. It is a fixed statutory waiting period.
France restricts Category 1 dogs (pitbull-type, Tosa, Boerboel, and others) from entering the country and requires Category 2 dogs (Rottweiler, American Staffordshire Terrier crosses, etc.) to comply with specific conditions including muzzling and registration. If your dog falls within these categories under French law, check the legislation at the French Ministry of Agriculture website before starting the import process.
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

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