Procedure guide · Living in Panama
Importing Household Goods to Panama
How to bring your belongings to Panama with the pensionado tax exemption: requirements, documents and customs steps.
- For
- Pensionado residents
- Exemption
- USD 10,000
- Process
- National Customs Authority
- Updated
On this page
In short
If you obtain residency as a pensionado, you can import your household goods tax-free up to USD 10,000, as well as a vehicle under the conditions set by law. The process is handled with the National Customs Authority, usually through a customs broker.
Requirements
- Hold pensionado residency (Pensionado Visa).
- The goods must be for personal and household use, not for sale.
- Their value must not exceed the exemption limit.
- The import must be made within the period set by the regulations.
Required documents
Pensionado resident card
Detailed, valued inventory of the household goods
Bill of lading or air waybill
Passport
Step by step
01
Get pensionado residency
The exemption depends on it.
02
Prepare the inventory
Detailed and valued, before shipping.
03
Hire the shipping company and a customs broker
The broker handles the declaration in Panama.
04
Request the exemption and clear the goods
With the National Customs Authority.
Costs
- International shipping
- Depends on volume and origin
- Customs broker and storage
- Depends on the case
- Taxes on the excess
- If the value exceeds the exemption limit
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring my car?
The law also provides an exemption for a vehicle, with its own conditions and deadlines. Check the requirements before shipping it.
What happens if my household goods exceed the exemption limit?
You pay import taxes on the excess. That is why it is best to prepare the valued inventory before shipping.