Pet Transport Panama to Australia: Group 3 Country Process 2026
Moving a dog or cat from Panama to Australia is very doable with the right preparation. Around 32-40 weeks is sensible here, with a few steps that must happen in a strict order. Factor in 10 days of …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Panama to Australia
typically takes around 32-40 weeks.
Expect 10 days of quarantine on arrival.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The Panama to Australia import process
01
First step. Apply through agriculture.gov.au. Allow 4-6 weeks.
Apply for DAFF import permit (Australia)
Responsible: You or your agent
02
After import permit is confirmed.
Microchip (ISO 11784/11785) implanted before rabies vaccination
Responsible: Panamanian vet
03
After microchipping.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Panamanian vet
04
After rabies vaccination (DAFF may specify minimum interval). Ship to DAFF-recognised lab.
RNATT titre test blood draw at DAFF-recognised laboratory
Responsible: Panamanian vet plus DAFF-recognised laboratory
05
Mandatory. Cannot be shortened. This is Australia's requirement, stricter than the EU's 90-day rule.
180-day wait from successful RNATT blood draw date
Responsible: N/A
06
During the 180-day wait.
Book cargo PTY to SYD or MEL
Responsible: You or your agent
07
Within DAFF-specified validity period of travel.
DAFF-approved health certificate from Panamanian vet
Responsible: MIDA-authorised vet
08
Travel day plus 10 quarantine days.
Arrive in Australia; 10-day quarantine at Mickleham ACPD
Responsible: DAFF-managed quarantine facility
Requirements
Australia entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 required.
Rabies vaccination
Required and current.
Rabies titre test
RNATT (Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test) required. Panama is a DAFF Group 3 country. Blood drawn after valid rabies vaccination; result at least 0.5 IU/ml at a DAFF-recognised laboratory. 180-day wait from the date of the successful blood draw before entry into Australia. Source: DAFF agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs (2026).
Quarantine
10 days mandatory quarantine at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACPD), Mickleham, Victoria. All pets from Group 3 countries must complete this quarantine.
Import permit
Required from DAFF before import. Apply through DAFF at agriculture.gov.au.
Health certificate
DAFF-approved health certificate from Panamanian official vet.
Leaving Panama
Export requirements
Export permit
Export health certificate from MIDA Veterinary Authority authorised vet.
Health certificate
Official export health certificate from MIDA (Ministry of Agricultural Development) authorised vet, endorsed by MIDA. Issued within the validity period specified by DAFF.
Costs
What this route typically costs
DAFF import permit fee: AUD 50-150
RNATT titre test at DAFF-recognised laboratory: USD 150-300 plus sample shipping
MIDA export health certificate and endorsement
Cargo PTY to SYD or MEL (long-haul via hub): USD 1,200-3,000 depending on crate size
10-day quarantine at Mickleham ACPD: AUD 2,000-3,500 depending on pet size
Total typical range: AUD 5,000-10,000+ over 32-40 weeks
Critical points
Australia's 180-day wait is twice as long as the EU's 90-day rule. This route requires over 8 months of preparation minimum. Build in buffer.
Quarantine at Mickleham is mandatory and cannot be avoided. Budget for quarantine costs and for collecting your pet from Mickleham, Victoria after the 10-day stay.
The total cargo journey from Panama to Sydney or Melbourne is very long (30+ hours with connections). Discuss welfare preparations with your vet for such a long transit.
DAFF import permit must be secured before starting any other steps. Without it, Australian customs will not allow your pet to enter quarantine.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
LATAM via GRU or SCL
Panama City (PTY) to Sao Paulo (GRU) or Santiago (SCL) then GRU or SCL to Sydney (SYD) or Melbourne (MEL) on LATAM or Qantas. LATAM Cargo handles live animals. Long total routing.
Cargo Only
Copa Airlines via hub connections
Copa Airlines from PTY via US connections (EWR or MIA) then partner carriers to SYD or MEL. Copa Cargo handles pets from PTY. US to Australia is a very long leg.
Cargo Only
Air France-KLM via Europe
PTY via CDG or AMS then CDG or AMS to SYD or MEL. Air France-KLM Cargo handles live animals. Long routing via Europe but potentially better cargo capacity management than via the Americas.
Cargo Only
Meeting Australia's entry requirements
Bringing a pet into Australia involves a fair amount of documentation. Keep everything organised and check each item against the current requirements before you book.
Advice worth following
If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.
Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.
Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
Yes. Panama is a DAFF Group 3 country. All pets from Group 3 countries must complete 10 days of mandatory quarantine at the ACPD facility in Mickleham, Victoria. There is no waiver or reduction. Source: DAFF agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs (2026).
Both tests measure rabies antibody levels (minimum 0.5 IU/ml) and serve the same basic purpose. Australia requires the RNATT result to be at least 180 days old before entry, while the EU requires 90 days. Both must be done at an approved laboratory, and the laboratory must be specifically recognised by the relevant authority (DAFF for Australia, EU for Europe).
Yes. DAFF specifies the required health certificate format for Group 3 countries. Check the current DAFF requirements on agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs before your vet appointment. Your MIDA-authorised vet needs to complete the correct form.
Airline guides
LATAM via GRU or SCL
Copa Airlines via hub connections
Air France-KLM via Europe
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.