Moving To Peru

Planning a move to Peru from the USA? Here is all you need to know.

Peru is famous for its Inca Trail leading to the iconic Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a country located in South America and known for its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and ancient ruins. Peru also offers breathtaking natural beauty, such as the Amazon rainforest, the Andes Mountains, and the stunning Lake Titicaca.

The capital city, Lima, is a vibrant metropolis with a thriving food scene, while Cusco preserves the colonial architecture and is a hub for exploring the nearby Sacred Valley. Overall, Peru is a destination that offers stunning landscapes, rich history, and unforgettable experiences.

If you are planning to call Peru your home and looking to settle down then go through the rest of this guide to understand the processes you need to follow for a smooth transition when you move to Peru from the USA.

How International Sea & Air can help for moving to Peru

When it is an international relocation, be always prepared to handle lots of differences. It is not only limited to different climates, different cultures, different food-habit but a lot more. That is why international relocation is always challenging. So, when you are moving to Peru from the USA give yourself enough time to prepare mentally and get proper resources to help you make a hassle-free move.

Our professional team at International Sea & Air Shipping is here to help you in your relocation to Peru from the USA. With us you can look forward to a smooth transition and move overseas. We understand the challenges at every step of your relocation to Peru from the USA and we have the expertise to make them easier for you!

Our team of experienced professionals at International Sea & Air Shipping are equipped with knowledge to guide you at every step. You can look forward to world class professional assistance where we provide end to end specialised moving services for all types of relocation from the origin to the destination countries. So, let our professionals handle your international relocation, the packing of your household goods, choosing container and freight services, and other tidbits of your relocation to Peru from the USA while you focus on the post-move settling down in your dream island country.

Customs Regulations for Peru

Passport (original) with last entry stamp into Peru or:
- Work contract (notarized copy issued by local company approved by the Peruvian Ministry of Labor)
- Resident visa (original)
- Wedding certificate (notarized copy indicating marriage to a Peruvian citizen)
Bill of Lading or Air Waybill (two original sets for ocean shipments, must state: “used household goods and personal effects” and include net and gross weight)
Detailed inventory – avoid PBO items (in English or Spanish)
Packing list (copy)

Customer’s presence in Lima, Peru is required for Customs clearance
All shipments inspected by Peruvian Customs Authorities with the exception of foreign diplomatic shipments
Client must have proof that they have lived outside Peru for a minimum of 13 consecutive months before last entry
Shipments should arrive one month before or up to six months after Customer’s arrival in Peru
Customer cannot have imported another household goods shipment in the last two years
Household goods and automobiles shipped together must be clearly stated as such on the Ocean Bill of Lading
Peruvian Custom’s Authority will review declared weight of shipment
- Customer will be fined $250.00 USD if actual weight is 5 percent more or less than declared weight

In Peru, some articles may not be imported whatsoever. These items include, but may not be limited to:

Illegal drugs and narcotics
Pornographic materials
Firearms and explosives
Raw ham from Italy and Portugal
PISCO alcohol which has not been made in Peru (will be destroyed by Customs Authorities if discovered)

Some articles may have restricted quantities or require special authorization/ payments of duties and taxes to clear Customs in Peru. These items include, but are not limited to:

Arms and ammunition (requires proof of ownership and license obtained by Ministry of Interior before departure)
Import of sausages, salami, ham and cheese is allowed if holding original sanitary certificate issued by the manufacturer
Radio, telephones, fax machines, modems, routers and other telecommunication devices (require license from Ministry of Interior)
- Receipts, manuals or technical brochures also required
Refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners (Import Authorization from the Ozone Technical Office in Peru required before arrival)
- Must contain original manufacturer declaration stating gas will not damage the ozone layer
- Must also present the user manual, technical brochure or photographs of technical specification plates for each appliance
Works of art and antiques (original invoices needed)
Small quantities of food (10 percent of an air shipment)
Liquor (more than 5 liters requires a permit)

Customers moving to Peru may import one new or used vehicle:

Vehicles not belonging to diplomats require an inspection before clearance can be completed
Used car does not exceed five years of the date of manufacture or 80,000 kilometers at the time of importation
Used diesel vehicles are prohibited

You will need the following documents:

Passport (original) with last entry stamp into Peru
Original Bill of Lading (two sets)
The car’s make, model, year, engine serial number and VIN number
Customs Form (DUA) and Tax ID Form (RUC)
Title, registration and insurance policy
- Letter to Customs required if insurance not yet obtained
Purchase invoice
Inspection certificate from origin (from SGS, Bureau Veritas or similar companies)
- Must state carbon emission does not exceed 9 percent in volume
Declaration of value (issued by owner – for used cars only)
Technical sheet (issued by authorized engineer in Peru)

When importing a pet to Peru, the requirements are:

A veterinarian good health certificate (containing products used against parasites)
Rabies vaccination certificate
Official health certificate for export of pets (issued by country of origin)
Pets arriving without proper documentation will quarantined or returned to their place of origin
Upon arrival, Customer is required to fill out a legal form declaring that the animals has not been fed bovine meat
- Required if arriving from: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Rep., Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland (Rep. of), Israel, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom (incl. Channel Isl., Isl. of Man and Northern Ireland) or the United States

Belongings of foreign Peruvian diplomats duty free
Import duties and excise tax levied on all used cars
Household goods and personal effects dutiable
- Duties are assessed based on value given by the Peruvian Customs Authorities after the shipment is inspected

The following items are considered duty free:

Medicine for personal use
For passengers over 18-years-old:
- 20 packets of cigarettes or 5 cigars or 250 grams of shredded/threaded tobacco
- 5 liters of alcohol (beyond this amount requires permit and is taxable)
Other good for personal consumption or gifts not totaling $300 USD
One item not exceeding value of $100 USD
2 kg of non-prohibited foodstuffs
Electrical items for personal use (no more than 1 per person)
Phonographic records, magnetic tapes, compact discs or cassettes (up to a total of ten units)
5 visual recording cartridges (camera or camcorder rolls/cassettes)

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) 315-4170

About Peru

Bordered by Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile and the Pacific Ocean, the South American country of Peru is a biodiverse landscape made up of coastal regions, mountains, arid plains and tropical locales like the Amazon Rainforest. It also home to the remote slope of Nevado Mismi, the source of the Amazon river, and shares control of Lago Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake.

Filled with remnants of ancient cultures, Peru is home to the remains of civilizations like the Inca Empire and the Norte Chico civilization, one of the oldest civilizations in the world.

As for its culture, the 25 regions of Peru contain a multi ethnic (mostly Spanish speaking) population of around 30.8 million people. A developing country with a high Human Development Index (HDI) and one of the fastest growing economies in the world, Peru’s main economy derives from mining, manufacturing, agriculture and fishing.

What to expect when you are moving to Peru from the USA?

Moving to Peru from the USA can be an exciting transition. However, before making the move, there are a few things to consider. Familiarize yourself with the culture, language, and living costs in Peru. Research the visa and residency requirements and make sure to have all necessary documentation in order.

Additionally, explore job opportunities and healthcare options in Peru. It is important to have a plan in place for housing and transportation. Lastly, adjust your financial arrangements and notify relevant authorities about your move. Moving to a new country requires careful planning, but with the right preparation, you can have a successful move to Peru from the USA.

Visa process to move to Peru

When it comes to international relocation to Peru from the USA you will have to thoroughly understand the document that you need to obtain to justify the duration of your stay in this country. Here are some tips and information that can help you.

If you are a resident of any of these countries including most of the North & South American countries, Western European countries, and the Oceanic countries and you want to enter Peru as a tourist, you will not need a visa. However, it is mandatory to have a valid visa for the citizens of almost all African and Asian countries to enter Peru even as a tourist.

The country allows permanent residency only in two cases – either you are in Peru for job purposes or you have come to the country to reunify with your Peruvian spouse on a family visa. Apart from these two there are only tourist visas of 90 days and an extended tourist visa of 183 days.

Note that there are three types of visas that you can obtain to move in Peru from the USA:

The tourist visa (90 days)

The 90 days tourist visa is actually a stamp, which is given to you at the immigration office once you arrive at the airport in Peru. To obtain this visa you will need to show a return ticket valid within that 90 days.

The extended tourist visa (183 days)

This is the extended version to the short term tourist visa and valid for 183 days. In this case also it is actually a stamp given in the passport once you arrive at an airport in Peru. A stay in Peru beyond the allotted 183 days will be fined.

The business visa (visa de negocios)

If you have a plan to move to Peru from the USA for conducting business in this country then you have to obtain the Business visaTo obtain this approval you will have to show a valid passport and then you have to get your company write a letter in Spanish to the Peruvian Chamber of Commerce explaining the nature and duration of your business and also the length of your stay in Peru.

Top tips to move to Peru from the USA

Obtain a Permiso Especial para Firmar Contratos

When you move to Peru from the USA for a long term stay and you want to sign a contract for securing a house or to work you have to first obtain a special permission paper.

Get health insurance

In Peru healthcare is not of very high quality and it is advisable that you invest in good international healthcare insurance before moving to Peru from the USA.

Get a SIM Card

You will need to have an unlocked mobile where you can use a prepaid SIM card. Claro and Movistar are the two main mobile service providers in Peru.

Learn Spanish, at least some basic phrases

This will help you a lot when you move to Peru from the USA. Not only in daily life but also for official work it will be helpful to know basic Spanish.

You can also check out for some of the neighboring countries of Peru –