🇦🇬 How to import from Panama to Antigua and Barbuda?

Antiguans and Barbudans who wish to purchase tax-free products from the Panama Free Zone have three main methods at their disposal. The first is to make online purchases through Bridgemarkets Marketplace, a platform that offers a variety of products and handles the shipping logistics to Antigua and Barbuda. The second option is to buy directly from the websites of Panamanian stores, using the Official Directory of the Free Zone, which classifies wholesale merchants by product category and provides detailed information for wholesale purchases, including the appropriate selection of a logistics company for shipping by sea or air.

The third alternative is to travel personally to Panama to make purchases in the showrooms in Colon. It is recommended to plan this visit with the help of DIZOLICOL to identify the stores that offer the specific products of interest. Given the large extent of the Colon Free Zone, the largest in America and the second largest in the world, meticulous planning is crucial to make the most of the available time. After shopping, the buyer must coordinate the transport of the products to Antigua and Barbuda with a logistics company.

HOW TO BUY WHOLESALE IN THE FREE ZONE?

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN PANAMA

REQUEST ONLINE CATALOG

Importar desde la Zona Libre de Colón en Panamá hasta Antigua y Barbuda

📦What products can be imported from Panama to Antigua and Barbuda?

Panama has become a crucial center for wholesale trade in Latin America, standing out for its diversity of products and the presence of international brands. Its efficiency in the management and delivery of merchandise gives it a competitive advantage over markets like China, which, although having lower prices, sometimes suffers from availability and quality issues. Regarding trade relations with Antigua and Barbuda, these have gained importance in recent years. According to UN COMTRADE data, Antigua and Barbuda imports Panamanian products worth approximately 8 million dollars annually, demonstrating a strong commercial connection between the two countries.

As for the products that Antigua and Barbuda can import, what Antiguan and Barbudan businessmen acquire the most in the Panama free zone:

✅ Beauty and Perfumes
✅ Sunglasses
✅ Shoes
✅ Jewelry
✅ Textiles and Clothing
✅ Furniture
✅ Technology
✅ Food



Agriculture



Food



Manufacturing Articles



Cars & Motorcycles



Babies



Beauty & Perfumes



Footwear/ Shoes



Cigars & Liquors



Sports



Electricity



Home Appliances



Electronics



Outdoors



Hardware



Hygiene



Home Goods



Lighting



Musical Instruments



Gardening



Jewelry & Watches



Toys



Glasses & Frames



White Goods



Marine



Medicine



General Merchandise



Christmas



Office & School



Industrial Products



Clothing & Accessories



Security



Textiles



Cruise Visitors

📄What are the requirements to import merchandise into Antigua and Barbuda?

Before determining the requirements to import to Antigua and Barbuda, it is essential to define under which legal entity (Company, Natural Person, or Mercantile Society) the documents will be presented at the Antigua and Barbuda Customs. One can also consider using the services of a certified Customs Broker by the General Directorate of Customs of Antigua and Barbuda, who can manage all procedures with the General Directorate of Customs Services. The first step in the import process is to register with the various government agencies involved in authorizing the entry of products into the country. It should be noted that, to import certain items into Antigua and Barbuda, it is necessary to obtain specific licenses and permits. Importers must ensure they verify the validity and specificity of these requirements, as regulations may change and vary depending on the type of product imported.

Commercial Invoice
Bill of Lading (BL) or Air Waybill (AWB)
Authorization before the customs authority for the customs broker to carry out the clearance on behalf of the exporter
Letter of instructions to the customs broker (specific and detailed information of the operation, delivered directly to the customs broker)
Import declaration
Cargo Manifest including quantity and number of products
Certificate of Origin
Sanitary or Phytosanitary Certificates (if applicable)
Import License (if applicable)
Insurance policy (optional)

🚢How much does freight cost from Panama to Antigua and Barbuda?

When planning shipments from Panama to Antigua and Barbuda, it is crucial to take into account both the container size and the destination port to calculate costs. In Panama, the available loading ports are the Port of Cristobal, Manzanillo International Terminal-Panama, and Colon Container Terminal (Evergreen). In Antigua and Barbuda, the destination ports are the Port of St. John’s and the Deep Water Harbour Port. For small or medium loads, 20-foot containers are a suitable option, with prices starting at $1,110. For larger volumes, 40-foot containers are ideal, starting at $1,290. The transit time is generally 3 days. It is recommended to compare quotes from various transport companies to find the best option.

FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE CENTER FOR $1

COLON FREE PORT

HOW TO SEND THE MERCHANDISE?

📁 How to avoid paying import taxes in Antigua and Barbuda?

Avoiding paying import taxes illegally is not recommended, as it can result in severe penalties, fines, and even legal problems. However, there are legitimate ways to reduce or avoid import taxes in Antigua and Barbuda. Here we present some legal strategies:

Take advantage of Free Trade Agreements: Use bilateral or regional agreements to obtain preferential rates.
Correct Product Classification: Proper categorization can result in lower tariffs.
Research Exemptions and Discounts: Certain items may be exempt or subject to reduced rates.
Customs Expert Advice: Specialized professionals can guide you on legitimate methods to optimize costs.

🛬 What are the Commercial Airports to receive my imports in Antigua and Barbuda?

In Antigua and Barbuda, the main commercial airport that can receive imports is the V.C. Bird International Airport (ANU). This airport is located on the island of Antigua, near the capital, St. John’s. It is the country’s main airport and handles both international flights and air cargo. It is equipped to handle commercial imports and exports, offering customs and cargo services.

⚓What are the sailing times from Panama to Antigua and Barbuda?

Generally, the transit time starts from 3 days of sailing depending on the destination port, in addition to having weekly departure frequencies. Some of the most important ports are:

Port of St. John’s: It is the main port of the country, located in St. John’s, and handles most of the cargo and container traffic. It is equipped with modern facilities for cargo management and customs services.
Deep Water Harbour Port: Located near the main port, Deep Water Harbour is another important facility for receiving commercial cargo. This port handles large volumes of merchandise and has the capacity to receive deep-draft ships.

Some of the shipping lines that offer services from Panama to Antigua and Barbuda are:

- Maersk Panamá, S.A.
- Seaboard Marine
- Hamburg Sud
- Crowley Maritime Corporation
- CMA CGM
- Cosco Shipping Lines
- Sealand
- ZIM
- MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company)

These shipping companies vary in the specific services they offer and in their routes. Therefore, it is advisable to contact them directly for detailed information about their services to Antigua and Barbuda. You can find more information and contact details of these companies in the directory of the Panama Maritime Chamber.

📄Where is the Consulate of Antigua and Barbuda in Panama?

Currently, there is no consulate of Antigua and Barbuda in Panama. For consular matters, you may need to contact the nearest Embassy of Antigua and Barbuda or the consulates general in other countries, such as the United States or Canada, which can provide assistance to citizens of Antigua and Barbuda in Panama.

🏨Where to stay if I travel to make my purchases from Antigua and Barbuda?

Booking in advance can offer considerable savings. Below, you will find the accommodation options preferred by merchants who visit the Free Zone. It is worth noting that these hotels are in strategic nearby locations, providing transportation facilities such as vans or taxis that operate directly within the same zone.

HOTEL LA CUBANA

HOTEL ANDROS

HOTEL SOTELO

We also show you the options for hotels near the Free Zone and if you like you can consult the tentative dates for your trip. We have an agreement with the hotel search portal booking.com to offer our visitors the best deals on accommodation.

HOTELS IN PANAMA

⚓What are the types of maritime containers to send my purchases?

Logistics services for the transport of goods from Panama to Antigua and Barbuda adapt to various needs:

Full Container Load (FCL) Service: Provides 20 and 40-foot containers for large volumes of cargo. In addition, options are available for specific needs, such as refrigerated or special dimension containers, available in the Panama Free Zone.
Less than Container Load (LCL) Service: Ideal for shipments that do not require a full container, with rates based on volume or, in some cases, the weight of the cargo.

These services ensure flexibility and efficiency in the transport of merchandise, adapting to the particular needs of each customer.