Moving To Panama

Your Peace of Mind, Is Our Priority

Customs Regulations for Panama

Passport
Residence Visa (if customer does not have a Residence Visa: a letter from a licensed lawyer and copy of petition for a Residence Visa)
Work Permit (or certificate from attorney)
Certificate of Change of Residence
Detailed inventory (in English or Spanish)
Purchase invoice (for new furniture and household goods)

CUSTOMER MUST BE IN PANAMA AT THE TIME OF CUSTOMS CLEARANCE
Household goods and personal effects are duty free for:
- Foreigners with a Residence Visa
- Panamanians returning after two years abroad
Household goods and personal effects are duty free if:
- Furniture and other goods are used (has been in the possession of the shipper for at least 12 months)
Shipments must arrive within six months of the customer, and should not exceed two shipments
All shipments must be inspected at port of entry (usually at the shipper’s residence at time of delivery)
Customer must pay all fees at the time of clearance, including Customs inspection, Customs charges and Customs Broker’s charges
Customer is responsible for all charges incurred for storage or customs delays

There are some items that can only be imported into Panama if they are of limited quantities, have proper additional documentation, and the shipper has paid all required duties and taxes. Some of these items include, but may not be limited to:

New items (less than six months old, subject to taxes)
Food and beverages (subject to duty and taxes), usually require one or more of the following:
- Sanitary Certificate
- Quarantine allowance per item
- Bill of Lading/Air Waybill
- Transit Letter
- Commercial Invoice
Alcohol (limited quantities)
Jewelry (dutiable)
Coins (dutiable)
Leather goods (must be fumigated and have documentation the fumigation has occurred)
Plants (some are restricted, others are prohibited – it is not advised to include plants in a shipment)

Drugs and narcotics
Plants
Foodstuffs
Straw or hay packing in lift vans
Firearms, weapons, ammunition
Dangerous objects

Shipper and broker must process documentation and pay duties
Customs clearance process is lengthy, demurrage is likely
Duty for vehicle importation is approximately 27 – 30 percent of CIF value
Vehicle must be moved to customs office to be appraised
Documents required:
- Passport
- Commercial Invoice
- Pollution Certificate (unless it is a watercraft)
- Consular document (authorized)
- Certificate of Tax Payment
- Original Bill of Lading

Health certificate and proof of rabies vaccination required (by USDA accredited veterinarian)
Quarantine (30 days) may be required. Dogs, cats and healthy pets will not be quarantined provided:
- Two weeks prior to travel, shipper must file an application for home quarantine
- Cats or dogs must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entering Panama
- Health certificate must be endorsed by the Panamanian Consulate in origin country
- Rabies certificate should also be included for endorsement

NOTE – Customs regulations are subject to change at any time. The proceeding information is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods shipments to this destination and is being provided for general guidance to assist our Agents and Customers. Since such regulations are subject to change without notice, International sea & air shipping cannot be held liable for any costs, damage, delays, or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance. Always double check with your local embassy or consulate.

Call our International Moving Specialists @ 1 (866) 788-1090

How International Sea & Air Shipping can help for moving to Panama

At International Sea & Air Shipping, we have trained moving specialists to aid you with each and every aspect of your move to Panama. We offer a variety of shipping services to meet your needs:

Your moving timeline. When do you need to be in Panama? Should you ship your goods via air or sea freight?
Your real estate plans. Will you be renting or buying a home?
Your fragile items. Do you require packing or custom crating services?
Your family/household size. Are you moving alone or with family? For business or personal reasons?
Your cubic feet estimate. How large is your shipment?

How Much Does a Move to Panama Cost?

While cost is a major concern for most customers moving overseas, it will vary greatly depending on a number of factors. To receive an estimate for your move to Panama, scheduling a home survey with one of our trained moving specialists. He or she will visit your home to assess your belongings in person and accurately determine the cubic footage of your shipment. You will then receive a free quote to ship your goods internationally, based on your individual moving needs.

The cost of your move to Panama is calculated on your shipment’s cubic footage, your shipment method (air vs. sea freight) your required services (packing and custom crating), and more.

About Panama

The tropical Central American country of Panama is situated on the isthmus, which connects North and South America. The country’s landscape is woven with over 500 varying bodies of water, including Rio Chagres, known for its source of hydroelectric power, and the well-known Panama Canal, that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean – making it a hub for international maritime trade.

Panama culture originates from descendants of Indian, African and Spanish heritages, but there is cultural multiplicity here due to its connectivity to North and South America and proximity to the Caribbean, Columbia and Costa Rica. Descendants from Germany, Portugal and Italy can be found in Panama as well.

The country has one of the largest rainforests in the Western Hemisphere apart from the Amazon Basin. It is also the largest free trade zone in the Western Hemisphere, and has the fourth largest economy in Central America – relying on exports like coffee and other agricultural products. Panama’s leading trade partners are: Greece, US, Japan, Germany, Italy, Singapore, and China.

Moving to Panama from the United States

Moving overseas to Central America will surely be a life changing experience for you, but it also requires research, planning and preparation. The last thing you want is to worry about the logistics of your move while you have so much more to plan for.

The most important part of an international move to Panama is hiring professional and trustworthy overseas movers to ship your goods safely to your new destination – that’s where International Sea & Air Shipping comes in. If you are just starting to plan your move to Panama, International Sea & Air Shipping will make everything worry-free, ensuring your overseas relocation is a success.