Home/Resources/Pet Relocation Hubs/Latin America

Across The Pond Pets · Pet Relocation Hubs

Latin America Pet Relocation Hubs

Q: Does the hub my pet passes through affect shipping cost?

It can. Layover length, whether a transit facility is needed, and the destination country's requirements all factor into routing and cost.

Q: Do these hubs apply if my pet is traveling in-cabin instead of as cargo?

Less directly. Pets traveling in-cabin stay with their owner during connections. These hubs are most relevant for pets traveling as air cargo or in the hold.

When your pet's move includes a connecting flight, it doesn't just wait in a cargo cart between planes. The region's major airports have dedicated offices and holding areas for animal inspection and care in transit. Here are the hubs your pet is most likely to pass through on a move between the United States and Latin America.

Hubs Covered

Regions: USA, Mexico, South America

100%

Verified Against Official Sources

Unlike general airport guides for Europe or Asia, this guide focuses specifically on the connection and entry points our families use most: departure hubs in the United States, and the main entry and connecting points across Mexico, Central America, and South America. Knowing which office will inspect your pet — and what documents it will ask for — helps you plan connection timing before you book the flight.

What Each Hub Actually Does

Not every hub serves the same function. Some are transit care stops — water, a walk, a clean crate between flights. Others are the official government office where your pet's documents are checked before entry is authorized. Several do both.

Layover Care Entry Inspection Government Office Primary Connection Hub

United States

Los Angeles International

LAX — our home base of operations

Entry InspectionGovernment Office

One of the USDA-approved ports of entry for international pet imports into the U.S., including CDC-regulated dog entry from high-rabies-risk countries. LAX is also our home base — we coordinate directly with the cargo counters and USDA staff at this airport for every move that passes through it.

Across The Pond Pets tip: If your move starts in Southern California, LAX is almost always your departure point. See our destination guides for country-specific requirements.

Miami International Airport

MIA — the main gateway to Latin America

Entry InspectionGovernment OfficePrimary Connection Hub

MIA is the largest gateway between the United States and Latin America and the Caribbean, and a hub for American Airlines, plus a focus city for Avianca and LATAM. It's one of the few U.S. airports with a USDA-authorized Animal Care Facility — alongside LAX, JFK, and Atlanta — a requirement for certain pets to clear entry at that point.

Across The Pond Pets tip: Miami's heat drives frequent seasonal embargoes during summer. For shipments through Miami, we favor early-morning flights and confirm temperature restrictions before booking.

Mexico

Mexico City International Airport

AICM — OISA / SENASICA office

Entry InspectionGovernment Office

Every dog or cat entering Mexico through AICM passes through the Agricultural Health Inspection Office (OISA), operated by SENASICA. There, the Certificate of Good Health (valid for a maximum of 15 days) is checked and the zoosanitary import certificate (CZI) is issued on arrival — no prior application needed for most travelers coming from the U.S. or Canada.

Across The Pond Pets tip: Mexico doesn't require quarantine or a rabies titer test, which simplifies the process considerably — but the health certificate has to fall within that 15-day window, so we schedule the vet visit right before departure.

Central America

Tocumen International Airport

Panama City (PTY) — Copa Airlines hub

Layover CareEntry InspectionPrimary Connection Hub

Known as the "Hub of the Americas," Tocumen is Copa Airlines' base and the most-used connection point between North, Central, and South America. It has a rest area for pets in transit inside Terminal 1, and every pet entering Panama goes through veterinary inspection by MIDA (the Ministry of Agricultural Development) before release.

Across The Pond Pets tip: Copa's pet cargo program doesn't operate every day of the week — this can dictate your travel date more than flight availability does. Confirm current operating days before booking your route through Tocumen.

South America

El Dorado International Airport

Bogotá (BOG) — Avianca's main hub

Entry InspectionGovernment OfficePrimary Connection Hub

El Dorado is Avianca and Avianca Cargo's main hub and Colombia's busiest airport. The Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA) operates a dedicated office for document and physical inspection of pets — recently expanded from 34 to 364 square meters — where the Sanitary Inspection Certificate (CIS) is issued for pets entering Colombia.

Across The Pond Pets tip: Domestic flights within Colombia don't require ICA certification, but every international entry or exit does. We confirm ICA pre-registration ahead of arrival to avoid delays.

Quick Reference: Hub Comparison

A general overview. Procedures at each airport can change — we always confirm current details with your coordinator before travel.

Hub	Airport	Authority	Primary Function
Los Angeles International	LAX	Airport / USDA	USDA and CDC import port
Miami International Airport	MIA	Airport / USDA	Entry inspection, primary connection hub
Mexico City International	AICM	SENASICA (OISA)	Zoosanitary import certificate
Tocumen International Airport	PTY	MIDA / Copa Airlines	Layover care, entry inspection
El Dorado International Airport	BOG	ICA	Sanitary Inspection Certificate (CIS)

Before You Book a Connecting Route, Confirm This

Regardless of which hub your pet passes through, these are the factors that determine whether the connection goes smoothly.

Minimum safe connection time for pets

A connection with a pet generally needs more handling time than the minimum a human passenger is allowed.

Health certificate validity window

Most countries in the region require the certificate to be issued within 10 to 15 days of travel.

Cargo program operating days

Programs like Copa Pets don't operate every day — this can set your travel date more than flight availability does.

Destination country's import authority

SENASICA (Mexico), the ICA (Colombia), and MIDA (Panama) each run distinct certification processes.

Seasonal heat embargoes

Miami and Panama both apply frequent temperature restrictions during the hottest months of the year.

Whether the hub allows visits during layover

Most are cargo facilities with restricted access and don't allow owner visits during transit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my pet stay overnight at these hubs?

Only if the connection requires it. Most are designed for short layovers — a few hours of care, feeding, and rest between flights — not multi-day boarding. A longer stay usually comes with an added cost.

Can I visit my pet during the layover?

Generally, no. These are restricted-access cargo facilities, not public boarding kennels, and most don't allow visits during transit. Some offer photo updates — it's worth asking your coordinator.

Does the hub my pet passes through affect shipping cost?

It can. Layover length, whether your pet needs a transit facility, and the destination country's inspection requirements all factor into routing and cost. Our team accounts for this when planning your pet's itinerary.

Do these hubs apply if my pet is traveling in-cabin instead of as cargo?

Less directly — pets traveling in-cabin stay with their owner during connections and don't pass through these cargo facilities. These hubs are most relevant for pets traveling as air cargo or in the hold as documented baggage, which is common for larger pets and most international relocations.

Planning a Move Through One of These Hubs?

We coordinate directly with airlines and destination-country authorities so your pet's connection goes smoothly — no matter which hub it passes through.

Get a Free Quote Browse Destination Guides

Procedures, schedules, and requirements at each airport and airline are set independently and can change. This guide is a general reference compiled from published airline, airport, and official government sources; always confirm current procedures with your coordinator before booking.