Permits

EXPORT PERMIT APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

FOR COLLECTION IN THE BARRO COLORADO NATURE MONUMENT (BCNM)

IMPORTANT

  • Release of Responsibility
    STRI requires that all scientific investigator and assistants sign a Disclaimer when processing ANAM’s permits.  You can download the disclaimer in English or in Spanish.  Please scan and send to:
    STRI-ANAMpermits@si.edu
  • Avoid return of CITES samples
    CITES Export Permits require an additional signature and official stamp from the National Environmental Authority (ANAM), their Office located in Tocumen International Airport. This signature and stamp is mandatory by customs agencies in the destination country.
          • If you are taking the samples: once your CITES permit is granted, you must go to the ANAM Office at the airport to obtain this additional requirement (signature and stamp);
      • If you send the samples by courier/mail: an additional fee will be charged for local service.  For more information, please contact the Traffic Section at: trafico@si.edu 
  • A permit request application submission does not imply approval of the permit. Panamanian authorities will have the final decision regarding the granting or not of a permit.
  • Permit requests must be completed in Spanish.
  • Be aware that ANAM can take up to 45 working days in order to process your permit application.
  • Please be aware that you will require a Phyto-Zoo-Sanitary Permit (MIDA) to export live samples.  For further information, please visit the following link: http://www.stri.si.edu/english/research/applications/permits/mida/mida.php
  • STRI at this time does not provide a service to deliver voucher specimens to the University of Panama as part of permit compliance. Visitors are responsible for completing all permit requirements before submitting their permit request application to us for processing with the local authorities.


As part of your export permit application, you must submit the following documents:

  1. ANAM Terrestrial and Marine Export Permit Application form in Spanish.
    For your convenience, we can provide a list of independent translators that you may contact directly.
  2. Collecting report in Spanish.
  3. Material Transfer Agreement. Complete requested information, sign and scan it. Material Transfer Agreement English version only for your reference, you must complete, sign and scan the Spanish version.
  4. Copy of passport (non-Panamanian citizens) or "cédula" (Panamanian citizens) and CV in Spanish.
  5. Download, sign, scan and send the letter of commitment along with all the other documents requested. Without this letter of commitment ANAM will not process your application. The letter with original signature will also be required.   You will have to send this letter via Courier to STRI. 
  6. Once you collect, you are required to deposit a set of samples collected, along with a "carta remisoria". When you have complied with this requirement, you will need a proof of deposit letter from the appropriate/corresponding Museum:
    1. Flora: “Herbario de la Universidad de Panamá”. You must obtain a proof of deposit letter "carta remisoria", signed by the Herbarium. Please complete the “carta remisoria” and contact Lucila Guillen, email: lucilapma@gmail.com, herbariopma@gmail.com, tel.: 523-6590. The Herbarium of the University of Panama will now charge $10.00 for the certification of deposit of samples.  When you do the deposit, to the herbarium, go to the cashier located at the Science’s Faculty, which is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Once you have paid, go to the herbarium with the receipt, so they can give you the certification.  The $10.00 is for each certification they issue.  ALL FLORA SAMPLES MUST BE DEPOSITED IN THE HERBARIUM IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PANAMA.  STRI WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY FLORA SAMPLES.
    2. Fauna:
      • Invertebrates: “Museo de Invertebrados de la Universidad de Panamá (MIUP)”.  You must obtain a proof of deposit letter "carta remisoria" (Insect Deposit Form), signed by the MIUP.  Please read the Specimen preparation donation guidelines and complete the Insect Deposit Form.
      • Vertebrates: “Museo de Vertebrados de la Universidad de Panamá”. You must obtain a proof of deposit letter "carta remisoria", signed by the Vertebrates Museum. Please contact Dr. Víctor Tejera e-mail: museover@ancon.up.ac.p, tel.: 523-6217 or Ricardo Pérez, email: rijperez@yahoo.com
    3. Marine biological and fresh water samples: “Museo de Biología Marina y Limnología”.  You must obtain a proof of deposit letter "carta remisoria", signed by Marine Biological and Limnology Museum.  The samples must be deposit in a labeled glass bottle.  Please contact Professor Edgardo Muñoz, email: edgardoabdiel@yahoo.com.

Please send all the above documents to Office of Permits:
STRI-ANAMpermits@si.edu