One of the most practical decisions you’ll make before moving to Panama is figuring out what to bring and what to leave behind. The short answer most experienced expats will give: bring less than you think. Panama has improved dramatically as a consumer market over the past decade — Pricesmart (the local equivalent of Costco), Supermercado El Rey, Riba Smith, and the El Machetazo chain cover most everyday needs, and the local secondhand market on Facebook Marketplace and the expat groups is active and well-stocked.
That said, shipping is entirely doable — particularly if you have furniture, specialist equipment, or items you’d spend significantly to replace. The key is going in with clear eyes about the costs, the exemptions available to you, and the timeline.
The First Question: Is It Worth Shipping?
Before planning what to ship, it’s worth asking whether shipping makes sense at all. For many items — furniture, standard appliances, everyday household goods — selling before you leave and buying in-country is more economical once you account for shipping costs, import duties, customs handling, and time. Pricesmart and El Machetazo are particularly useful for electronics, appliances, and household goods at reasonable prices.
Where shipping tends to make sense: Items of personal or sentimental value, specialist equipment, high-quality furniture you’d spend a lot to replace, and electronics.
Where it rarely makes sense: Large appliances that you can replace locally, furniture that isn’t particularly special, and anything that carries high import duties.
Import Duty Structure for Panama
Panama assesses import duties on the CIF value (cost + insurance + freight). The 7% ITBMS (Panama’s sales tax) applies on top of the duty. Panama’s rates are generally lower than Costa Rica’s equivalent import taxes.
Key categories for expats:
| Category | Import Duty |
| Electronics (laptops, tablets, phones, cameras) | Low to 0% (varies by item) |
| Books, documents | 0% |
| Used household goods (qualifying residency shipment) | Duty-free (see below) |
| New household goods | ~15–22% of CIF value |
| Vehicles (under 7 years old) | ~27–30% of CIF value |
The Residency Exemption: A Major Benefit for New Residents
Panama’s most significant benefit for incoming residents is the duty-free importation of used household goods and personal effects. Here is how the exemption works by visa type:
Pensionado Visa holders: Can import used household goods and personal effects entirely duty-free. New items are still subject to duties of approximately 22% on CIF value. Additionally, Pensionado holders may import one vehicle tax-free every two years.
Friendly Nations and other residency applicants: Can import used household goods duty-free once residency is approved or pending (with an attorney letter confirming the application). New items are taxed at applicable rates.
Qualifying businesspersons (earning $1,000+/month): May qualify for tax exemption on one shipment of household goods and one vehicle every two years.
This exemption can save thousands on a full household move and is one of the most tangible financial benefits of formalizing your residency before shipping. Timing the exemption correctly requires working with your immigration attorney and a local customs broker well in advance of your move.
Shipping Individual Packages
For smaller, regular shipments from home, mail forwarding services are the most practical option. Services like JetBox, Mailboxes Etc., and Airbox Express give you a US or other mailing address; you ship items there, and they forward to Panama. This is useful for online purchases from retailers that don’t ship internationally.
Direct pickup services like Aerocasillas operate offices throughout Panama where you receive packages for collection. For individual packages, customs requires a commercial invoice clearly stating contents and declared value. Packages without proper documentation regularly get held.
Transit time from the US by standard courier is typically 7–14 days. From the UK and Europe: 10–21 days.
Shipping a Container of Household Goods
Shipping a full container is the right approach for families moving permanently who have significant furniture or goods that justify the cost. The key to not being surprised: the freight quote is only part of the total cost.
Container sizes:
- 20-foot container: suitable for a 1–2 bedroom household
- 40-foot container: suitable for a 3–5 bedroom household
- LCL (less-than-container-load): for smaller shipments — you pay only for the space you use
Ocean freight (port to port):
- From US East Coast: approximately $1,200–$2,500 for a 20-foot container
- From US West Coast: somewhat higher
- From the UK: approximately £1,500–£3,500
Add 30–40% above your base freight quote to estimate total landed cost, covering: import duties on new items, port handling at Balboa (Pacific) or Manzanillo/Colón (Atlantic), customs broker fees, inland trucking, and possible storage fees if customs processing is delayed.
Timeline: Ocean transit from the US or Canada: 3–5 weeks. Customs clearance: 4–8 weeks. Total door-to-door: 8–14 weeks.
Practical tips:
- Use an experienced international moving company with a specific track record in Panama
- Prepare a detailed, itemised inventory list in Spanish; vague descriptions cause delays and additional inspections
- Purchase cargo insurance
- Hire a local customs broker (agente aduanero) in Panama to facilitate clearance
- Photograph all valuable items before packing and retain receipts
Smart Strategies for Equipping Your Life in Panama
Bring electronics — duties are low and Panama City’s electronics prices can be high for imported goods.
Leave behind or sell large appliances — between Pricesmart, El Machetazo, and the local secondhand market, you can equip a home well without shipping anything.
Use Pricesmart strategically — one of the most practical shopping resources in Panama for expats who want North American brands. Membership is around $35/year.
Check expat Facebook groups and local classifieds — a thriving secondhand market for furniture, appliances, and household goods from expats who are leaving.
If you have Pensionado status, coordinate your shipment carefully — the duty-free exemption for used goods is significant, but it requires working with your attorney and customs broker to claim it correctly.
Importing a Vehicle
Vehicle import duties in Panama are approximately 27–30% of the CIF (assessed) value — significantly lower than Costa Rica’s 52–79% rates, but still substantial. Only vehicles under 7 years old can be imported; right-hand drive vehicles are prohibited.
A worked example: A 5-year-old SUV with an assessed CIF value of $20,000 would incur approximately $6,000 in import duty plus 7% ITBMS on the combined value — adding roughly $7,400–$8,000 in taxes. In many cases, purchasing a comparable used vehicle in Panama is similar in total cost to importing, particularly when you factor in freight, customs broker fees, and the time involved.
Exception: Pensionado Visa holders may import one vehicle tax-free every two years. This is a genuine financial benefit that makes importing an owned vehicle economically viable for qualifying retirees — provided the vehicle is under 7 years old and meets other requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions: Shipping to Panama
What items are exempt from import duty when moving to Panama?
Under qualifying residency statuses like the Pensionado Visa or an approved Friendly Nations application, you can import your used household goods and personal effects completely duty-free. New consumer items are not covered by this exemption and face standard import taxes.
Can I import a car tax-free under the Pensionado program?
Yes. Registered Pensionado Visa holders have the right to import one personal vehicle completely tax-free every two years. However, the vehicle must be under 7 years of age from its manufacture date, and right-hand drive vehicles are strictly prohibited from entering the country.
How long does it take to clear a shipping container through Panamanian customs?
While the ocean transit from North American ports takes roughly 3 to 5 weeks, the localized customs clearance and port handling procedures can pile on an additional 4 to 8 weeks. Preparing a highly meticulous, itemized packing manifest in Spanish is crucial to avoid extensive inspections and storage delays.
What is the difference between shipping a full container versus LCL?
FCL (Full Container Load) means you rent a dedicated 20-foot or 40-foot container solely for your belongings. LCL (Less-than-Container Load) blends your items onto shared cargo pallets, allowing you to pay exclusively for the specific volume you consume. LCL is ideal for partial households but can face slightly longer customs sorting timelines.
Do I need a local customs broker to clear my personal goods in Panama?
Yes. Navigating the localized port systems, tax exemptions, and maritime documentation mandates the use of a licensed Panamanian customs broker (agente aduanero). Most reputable international relocation companies will integrate a vetted local broker into your global moving contract.