Routes

Shipping from China to Panama

We're a Chinese freight forwarder operating from the origin, where your goods are made and loaded. Panama is the hemisphere's great logistics hub: the Canal and the Colón Free Zone —the largest free zone in the Americas— make it a gateway and redistribution centre for the whole region. We handle your shipment end to end —transport, documentation and customs—, with the prices you only get by working from the origin itself.

Why work with a forwarder at origin

Better price, no middlemen

You work with the people at the port of departure in China, not a middleman in Panama that subcontracts. Fewer links, better price.

Colón Free Zone

The largest free zone in the hemisphere lets you store, consolidate and re-export Chinese cargo without entering the local tax regime until needed. We know how it works and put it to use for you.

Pacific and Atlantic hub

Panama connects both oceans via the Canal. It's the ideal point to distribute to Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America from a single place.

We assist you in Spanish

We work in writing and assist you in Spanish, as well as English, the common standard in international shipping. Every detail stays clear and documented, no language barrier with the origin.

Ports and entry points in Panama

The best point depends on whether your cargo stays in Panama, passes through the Free Zone or is redistributed. Panama has large terminals on both oceans. We pick what connects best.

Balboa (Pacific)

The great Pacific-side terminal, next to the Canal's southern entrance and Panama City. The main gateway for Asian cargo.

Colón (Atlantic)

The great Caribbean-side complex (Cristóbal, Manzanillo, Colón Container Terminal), next to the Colón Free Zone. A transhipment and redistribution core for the Caribbean.

Colón Free Zone

The largest free zone in the Americas: storage, consolidation and re-export without entering the local tax regime until clearance for consumption. Key to distributing across the region.

PSA Rodman

A modern Pacific-side terminal, an alternative to Balboa, well connected to the country's logistics network.

We also operate with other Panamanian points: Panama City (airport Tocumen PTY) · Manzanillo · Cristóbal

Transit times and transport modes

Sea · 30–40 days

The most cost-effective option. FCL (full container) or LCL (groupage) depending on your volume, to Balboa (Pacific) or Colón (Atlantic). Ideal for volume and for redistributing via the Free Zone.

Air · 6–10 days

For urgent or high-value cargo, via Tocumen (PTY), the region's great air hub. Fast and tracked in real time.

Door to door (DDP)

We handle everything, including import duties and ITBMS, and deliver to your address. You just receive the goods.

Customs and taxes when importing into Panama

We take care of clearance. Panama has one feature that makes it unique: the Colón Free Zone, where goods can enter, be stored and re-exported without paying the local tax as long as they're not cleared for consumption in the country. If the goods do enter the Panamanian market, the ITBMS (VAT) of 7% is paid, calculated on the customs value plus duty, in addition to whatever duty applies to the product. Clearance is processed with the National Customs Authority. We make sure to choose the regime that suits you best —definitive import or transit via the Free Zone— and coordinate clearance at destination, so your cargo enters without surprises.

How it works, step by step

  1. We collect at the factory in China and review the paperwork.
  2. Export clearance at origin and loading via the best Chinese port.
  3. International transport (sea or air) with tracking.
  4. Import clearance or Free Zone transit in Panama: duty, ITBMS and formalities depending on the chosen regime.
  5. Final delivery to your warehouse or address, or redistribution across the region.

Importing from China to Panama?

Tell us what you need to move and whether your cargo stays in Panama or is redistributed. We'll give you a clear quote, with every cost broken down and the Free Zone put to use when it helps. No commitment.