Moving to Peru from the USA
You may consider moving to Peru from the USA, be it from Los Angeles, Boston, Dallas, or any other place. Perhaps you are a student who has completed his study program in the US. Or, maybe you are a returning retiree or an expat looking to start a new life in a new country.
Whether a permanent or relatively temporary move, you will likely want to ship your personal belongings. And this is where SDC International Shipping, a licensed door-to-door moving company, steps in. You can rely on our service to move your household goods to any destination in Peru.
Read our guide below on how to move to Peru from the USA and start your journey with SDC today!
Household Movers to Peru – SDC International Shipping
No matter your destination in Peru, there will surely be some items you will consider taking with you. Mostly, it’s a good idea because you might not easily find some equipment and gadgets locally. Besides, some devices might be lacking in quality, so having these items shipped will make sense.
But do you think shipping is a complicated process that will steal joy from a new adventure? Take it easy! As your international household mover, we will deal with this! You can take advantage of our packing services and storage solutions, get marine insurance to protect your shipment, and of course, we’ll help you straighten out the customs requirements.
Still Plan On Clearing Your Items from Customs
However, to be forewarned is to be forearmed, and here’s what you need to know about bringing in household items. First, you will need to present the following documents:
- Your passport
- Bill of Lading
- Proof of resident visa
- Proof of work contract
- Packing list and inventory
Although your shipment can enter the port of Lima a month before you arrive in Peru, you must be present during the clearance process. Also, be prepared to pay duties and VAT on some items unless you qualify for a relocation exemption. The customs officers will determine the amount you need to pay. For general guidance, see this overview of what you can and can’t bring into Peru.
Duty Relief for Genuine Relocations
If you’re genuinely relocating to Peru rather than visiting, you may qualify for duty relief that isn’t widely advertised: household goods up to USD $50,000 in value, plus a single new or used vehicle, can qualify for exemption from import duties. For the vehicle exemption, engine capacity generally can’t exceed 2,000cc and the vehicle’s value must fall within limits set by Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Peruvian citizens returning after more than four consecutive years abroad may also qualify for a separate duty-free vehicle allowance under a different process. Eligibility criteria and thresholds are confirmed by SUNAT (Peru’s customs authority), and your coordinator can help you understand whether your move qualifies before you ship.
Car Shipping to Peru – The Best Service You Can Get
If you’re planning to ship your car to Peru, SDC ships vehicles only inside containers alongside your household goods. We don’t offer standalone RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) service. Your logistics coordinator will help plan container selection and timing for your specific shipment.
Before proceeding, it’s essential to understand Peru’s current vehicle import regulations:
- Vehicle Age Restriction: Used vehicles must be no more than 5 years old. Diesel passenger vehicles face a stricter limit, generally around 2 years. Vehicles over 35 years old may qualify for import under a separate classic-vehicle category.
- Mileage Limit: Vehicles with more than approximately 80,000 kilometers (about 50,000 miles) on the odometer are generally restricted from import.
- Customs Duties and Taxes:
- Used Vehicles: Subject to a 9% ad valorem duty, 30% selective consumption tax, and 18% sales tax, totaling approximately 72% of the vehicle’s CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) value if no exemption applies.
- New Vehicles: Subject to a 9% ad valorem duty, 19% sales tax, and 10% of the CIF value, totaling approximately 38% of the vehicle’s CIF value if no exemption applies.
- Emissions Standards: Since October 2024, Peru requires new light-duty vehicles to meet Euro 6b or equivalent US Tier 3/EPA 2010 emissions standards. Confirm your vehicle’s compliance before shipping, since there’s no equivalent US compliance pathway that automatically satisfies this requirement.
- Steering Wheel Position: Only left-hand drive vehicles are permitted for import.
- Vehicle Condition: Damaged vehicles or those with salvage titles are not eligible for import.
Shipping your car to Peru can be a smooth and stress-free experience when you work with a team that understands the local laws and international logistics.
How SDC International Ships to Peru
We offer port-to-port and door-to-door services when moving to Peru from the USA. With the door-to-door service, we will bring a container to your home, pack and load your things, and pick up your container to transport it to one of the many departure ports in the US.
When sending household goods by sea, you can choose a private container or consolidated shipping. The latter tends to be less expensive as your items will be placed in a shared container along with other consignments. It will take several weeks to get your things to Peru by ocean freight.
Air freight is also available and is the fastest shipping method, though more expensive, typically taking about three to five days to deliver your belongings to Peru. See our air freight vs. ocean freight comparison for the full cost and timing tradeoffs.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship to Peru?
The cost of moving household goods isn’t easy to determine. Many factors are in play, such as distance, insurance, volume and weight of your shipment, and the transportation method.
Request your free quote, and we’ll be happy to provide pricing on shipping your personal belongings to Peru.
Moving to Peru from the USA – Top Destinations
Lima, the capital of Peru, is the most populous city and is home to a large community of expats. Other popular destinations are Arequipa, Cusco, Sacred Valley, and Trujillo.
Once your container arrives in one of the major ports and clears customs, we can deliver it to any place in Peru by truck or train.
Where Else Do We Move To In South America?
More on Moving Services to Peru
Moving to Peru from the USA can be nerve-racking. Luckily, hiring SDC International Shipping means we’ll provide you with all the information and service to make your relocation a success.
