Import regulations by Panama customs

Imports;

Tobacco:500 cigarettes or 500 grams of tobacco
Alcohol:3 bottles
Perfume: for personal use
Gifts:valued PAB 50

Export regulations by Panama customs

Exports:
Prohibited:
Firearms, ammunitions, and weapons
Pharmaceuticals and medicine
Psychotropic drugs
Live animals
Toxic waste
Fertilizer

Eligible/Ineligible Products
Eligible Products:
Red meat and red meat products.
Beef and beef products including canned beef products. The vertebral column (including the transverse process of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, the wings of the sacrum, and the vertebrae of the tail) must be removed from animals 30 months of age and older. Eligible beef and beef products must be produced under an approved AMS Export Verification (EV) program for beef to Panama. Veal is not subject to an approved EV program; however, an EV program is necessary if the facility also handles non-conforming product in which case the EV program is required to ensure control of the non-conforming product. Information about the EV program for Panama and a list of EV approved establishments can be obtained from the following website: http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/arc/bev.htm.*

Other Panama customs information

Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for those travelling to Darin. Travellers arriving from non-endemic zones should note that vaccination is strongly recommended for travel outside the urban areas, even if an outbreak of the disease has not been reported and they would normally not require a vaccination certificate to enter the country.

Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to Panama. However, cholera may be a slight risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination, as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness; see the Health appendix.

Typhoid fevers are common, but polio is not present.

There is a low malaria risk, predominantly of the Plasmodium vivax form in three provinces throughout the year: Bocas de Toro, Darin and San Blas. The risk of transmission in the remaining six provinces is negligible.

Food drink: Mains water is normally chlorinated and safe. Bottled water is available. Drinking water outside main cities and towns may be contaminated and sterilisation is advised. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.

Other risks: Hepatitis A and E occur. Dengue fever may occur.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, see the Health appendix.

Health care: Modern and reliable private medical services are available. According to current legislation covering sanitary matters, Panama offers healthcare facilities to all nationals and foreign travellers who may require them, independent of any reciprocal agreement with a particular country. International travellers are, however, advised to take out medical insurance.

www.embassyofpanama.org