Pet Transport Panama to USA: 2026 Guide

Panama’s placement on the CDC high-risk list means dogs follow the foreign-vaccinated high-risk country path. Three requirements sit above the standard health certificate. First, a serology titer at a CDC-approved laboratory confirming rabies immunity of at least 0.5 IU/mL. Second, the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form, completed by the attending vet and endorsed by a MIDA-DINASA government vet. Third, a reservation at a CDC-registered facility at the US arrival airport.

If the titer passes, no quarantine applies after the facility examination. Without a valid titer, the dog enters 28-day quarantine at the CDC facility. The Certification form is valid for only 30 days from the vet’s signature, so timing the DINASA endorsement step against your travel date requires careful planning. The DINASA is the Dirección Nacional de Sanidad Animal, which operates under Panama’s Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA).

Panama City Tocumen International (PTY) is Copa Airlines’ main hub, which gives direct access to multiple US CDC-registered airports without a connection. Copa flies PTY to Miami (MIA), Houston (IAH), New York JFK, Los Angeles (LAX), and other US cities. Miami is the closest CDC-registered airport to Panama and handles significant volumes of Central American pet cargo.

American Airlines connects PTY to MIA and JFK, and United Airlines offers PTY to Houston IAH. All three airports (MIA, JFK, IAH) are on the CDC’s registered facility list. Confirm with the carrier that live animal cargo is accepted on your specific booking. Copa Airlines is typically the first airline to call for Panama City cargo given its network strength from PTY.