Once you have decided to move to Panama, a practical question follows: should you ship your belongings, or start fresh? The answer depends on what you own, where you are moving from, and your residency status. This guide explains how shipping and moving to Panama works in 2026, including customs, duties, and the valuable import-tax exemption available to some new residents.
Should You Ship at All?
Before booking a container, do the math. Furniture and appliances are available locally, and shipping is expensive and slow. Many expats ship only irreplaceable or high-value items (quality furniture, tools, specialty electronics) and buy the rest in Panama. If you are renting furnished at first, you may not need to ship much at all; see our renting guide.
Sea Freight vs. Air Freight
- Sea freight (containers): the standard choice for a full household. You can book a full container (typically 20 or 40 foot) or a shared “less than container load” (LCL) for smaller shipments. Transit times vary by origin but often run several weeks.
- Air freight: far faster but much more expensive, best for a small number of urgent or valuable items.
Panama’s Pacific and Atlantic ports and its role as a shipping hub make sea freight relatively accessible. Most people use an international moving company that handles pickup, ocean transit, and customs clearance.
The Import-Tax Exemption for New Residents
Panama has historically offered a one-time exemption allowing certain new residents to import household goods (and in some cases a vehicle) with relief from import taxes, within limits and time windows. The exact eligibility, value caps, and paperwork depend on your residency category and current regulations. This benefit can save a significant amount, but the rules change, so confirm the current terms with a Panamanian immigration attorney or licensed customs broker before shipping.
Customs and Duties
If you do not qualify for an exemption, imported goods are subject to import duties and taxes assessed on their value. A licensed customs broker (corredor de aduanas) is essentially required to clear a household shipment. You will need a detailed, valued inventory of everything in the container, ideally in Spanish, and your passport and residency or visa documents.
Prohibited and restricted items exist, so check before shipping anything unusual. Used items should be clean; agricultural inspection can flag soil or pests.
What You Will Need
- A detailed packing inventory with declared values.
- Passport and immigration or residency documentation.
- A licensed customs broker to file the clearance.
- Proof relevant to any exemption you are claiming.
Moving with Pets
Panama allows people to bring cats and dogs, but there is a process. You will generally need an up-to-date rabies vaccination, a health certificate from a veterinarian issued close to travel, and often an import permit arranged in advance. There may be a home-quarantine period on arrival rather than a kennel quarantine. Requirements change, so verify the latest rules with the relevant Panamanian authority and your airline before you fly.
Vehicles
Importing a car is possible but often not worth it once you add shipping, duties, and the cost of bringing an older vehicle up to local standards. Many expats sell their vehicles before moving and buy locally. If you do import, use a customs broker and confirm any exemption eligibility first.
Choosing a Moving Company
The mover you choose largely determines how smoothly your relocation goes. Look for an established international relocation company with experience shipping to Panama specifically, since local customs procedures reward familiarity. A good mover handles professional packing, provides a valued inventory, arranges ocean transport, and coordinates with a customs broker at the Panama end for door-to-door service. Ask each company directly whether their quote includes destination charges, customs clearance, and delivery to your home, or only port-to-port transport, because unexpected destination fees are a common complaint.
What to Leave Behind
Some items simply are not worth shipping. Bulky, inexpensive furniture, older appliances, and anything easily and cheaply replaced locally usually cost more to ship than to rebuy. Electronics that run on a different voltage or that you can buy locally may also not be worth the space. Panama uses the same electrical standards as the United States (120 volts, standard North American plugs), which is convenient for American movers, but always confirm compatibility of large appliances before shipping them.
Timing and Storage
Coordinate your shipment with your housing. Because sea freight takes weeks and customs clearance can add more time, do not ship until you have a confirmed address, ideally after you have secured a rental through our renting guide. If your goods will arrive before you have a home, factor in temporary storage costs. Many expats deliberately live minimally with a few suitcases for the first month or two, then ship once settled.
Practical Tips
- Get quotes from multiple international movers and read reviews carefully.
- Insure your shipment; sea transit carries real risk of damage.
- Photograph and document valuable items before packing.
- Do not ship anything you would be devastated to lose or wait months to receive.
- Time your shipment to arrive after you have secured housing.
- Keep your inventory, receipts, and immigration documents organized and accessible.
Because customs rules and exemptions change frequently, treat this as an overview and rely on a licensed customs broker for current requirements. Once your goods arrive, get set up with essentials using our guide to internet, mobile and utilities in Panama.
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