Moving to Panama from US
A new beginning with SDC International Shipping.
Are you moving to Panama from the USA? SDC International Shipping is a mover to Panama and other countries of Central America and will move your household goods, personal effects, and cars anywhere you need.
As you are researching, planning, and preparing for a life-changing experience, you don’t need to worry about the logistics of your move. Simply forget about that by letting an international professional mover ship your belongings to your new destination. So if you are looking for a company to ship your stuff, SDC International Shipping will make your relocation overseas a success.
Shipping Household Goods to Panama
If you are a returning Panamanian citizen, you can import furniture, electronics, appliances, and clothes free of tax, given that these are used household items and personal effects. Also, you must have lived in the USA or abroad for at least two years to qualify for a duty free-exemption.
If you are still bringing new household items, you’ll have to pay 20% of their cost, insurance, and freight value (CIF).
The same rules apply to non-Panamanian citizens, but they must obtain a residence permit or visa beforehand to import personal belongings.
Preparing for shipment is not an easy task. If you hire an SDC international household mover, we’ll take care of every aspect of your move to Panama. For example, we’ll help you make a detailed inventory with the value of each item listed in it. If you need to bring restricted items, we will provide wooden packing crates. Finally, we will help you figure out different tax rates and regulations if you are moving to Panama from the USA as a Panama Pensionado visa holder.
Cars and Other Vehicles Shipping to Panama
Unless you are an accredited diplomat, a member of an international organization, or a US contractor, you will have to pay import tax to ship a vehicle to Panama.
You need to know that customs in Panama charge 27%-30% of the CIF value for the vehicle clearance. Besides, customs clearance involves lots of bureaucracy and inspection. Then you may ask: Is it worth shipping my car to Panama? In our view, it is. We can arrange transportation of your vehicle in a 40ft container with your household goods to cut the costs. Or, you can opt for RoRo shipping, another cost-effective shipping option. As for paperwork, as an experienced car mover, we’ll help you submit all documents in Panama to the relevant authorities before shipping the auto to the country. The required documents include:
- Passport
- Pollution certificate
- Commercial certificate
- Consular document
- Tax payment proof
- Original Bill of Lading
On a Pensionado Visa, you may not pay any taxes on the car import. However, different regulations apply depending on what type of car you are bringing to Panama. Anyway, it’s better to consult with our Panama logistics expert to know about the fees.
Piano and Artwork Shipping to Panama
Moving pianos and artwork requires separate training, customized packing, and treating during transit. At SDC International Shipping, we use special equipment and climate-controlled containers and warehouses. We pack fine art and antiques with a large quantity of padding and encase them in wooden crates. Our overseas piano movers and artwork shippers are licensed and insured professionals who know how to handle your valuable items.
Moving to Panama: Air Freight or Ocean Freight?
We can move your household items via ocean or air freight. Sea freight is the cheapest way to move to Panama. If you are moving a large house, we’ll offer a Full Container Load (FCL) service. For smaller shipments, Less than Container Load (LCL) is the best option.
What if you need to send your stuff urgently like you can’t wait 6-8 weeks (this is how long ocean freight typically takes)? Well, it isn’t a problem. Our air freight logistics solutions cover weekly departures to the Panama City Airport.
Main ocean ports in Panama:
- Balboa
- Colon
- Panama City
- Manzanillo
- Cristobal
Cargo airport:
- Panama City (PTY)
Moving To Panama from the USA: More Services from SDC
When moving to Panama from the USA, you will want to make sure that your relocation is trouble-free. Apart from the services mentioned above, we offer other long-distance moving services to transport your household goods in the safest and most affordable way possible:
We offer perfect shipping solutions to individuals, families, and retirees. Our skills, experience, and knowledge make us your most trustworthy partner when moving to Panama from any place in the USA.
Popular Destinations for Moving to Panama from the USA
The most popular destination for expats in Panama is Panama City. We can arrange door-to-door service to any city, but typically the ones below are where the most Americans are concentrated:
- Panama City
- San Miguelito
- Las Cumbres
- La Chorrera
- Tocumen
- Pacota
Why Moving to Panama with SDC International Shipping
Trust is not hard when you know who you trust.
“SDC team is great. They packed my things so fast and when watching them doing the job, I can’t help but praise their professionalism. They also included insurance in case my things got damaged on the way over. Fortunately, I got my shipment and when I started unpacking, nothing was broken. Thank you, SDC, for your great service!” – Lily Z.