The third option is to travel personally to Panama to make purchases in the Colon showrooms. It is advisable to research in advance on DIZOLICOL to identify the stores that offer the products of interest. Given the magnitude of the Colon Free Zone, the largest in America and the second in the world, with an area of 1,064.58 hectares, it is vital to plan the visit carefully to make the most of the available time. After making the purchases, the buyer must coordinate the shipment of the products with a logistics company.
🇦🇷 How to import from Panama to Argentina?
📦What products can be imported from Panama to Argentina?
📄What are the requirements to import merchandise into Argentina?
Before starting with what I need to import to Argentina, it is important to determine under what legal figure (Company, Natural Person, or Mercantile Society) the documents will be presented at the Argentine Customs. There is also the option of hiring the services of an accredited Customs Agent by the General Directorate of Customs of Argentina, who can represent you in procedures with the General Directorate of Customs Services. The first step in the import process is to register with the various government entities involved in approving the entry of products into the country. To import certain items into Argentina, specific licenses and permits are required.
- Registry of Importers and Exporters of the Federal Administration of Public Revenues (AFIP).
- Fiscal Key with security level 3 or 4
- Declare economic solvency, in case of not having it, a surety policy for importers can be requested.
- Certificate of Criminal Record
- Commercial Invoice
- Bill of Lading (BL) or Air Waybill (AWB)
- Certificate of Origin
- Advance Sworn Import Declaration (DJAI)
- Sanitary or Phytosanitary Certificates (if applicable)
- Mercantile Registry Certificate (if applicable)
- Import License (if applicable)
- Payment of relevant Duties and Taxes (if applicable)
🚢How much does freight cost from Panama to Argentina?
The choice of container size and destination port will directly influence the expenses. From Panama, loading port options include the Port of Cristobal, the Manzanillo International Terminal-Panama, and the Colon Container Terminal (Evergreen). All of these have destinations in Argentine ports such as the Port of Buenos Aires, Puerto Madryn, Mar Del Plata, Zarate, or Bahia Blanca. Therefore, it is essential to choose the port that best aligns with your cargo requirements and the amount of merchandise. The journey usually takes between 35 and 45 days.
A 20-foot container (20ft) is a suitable option for smaller or medium loads. The estimated cost to ship it from Panama to Argentina starts at $1,185, which could be a more affordable alternative if your business is in its early stages. On the other hand, if you plan to ship large volumes, a 40-foot container (40ft) might be more appropriate. Although its cost, starting at $1,590, is higher than the 20-foot container, it can be more economical for large batches of merchandise.
To ensure you get the best price, it is advisable to request quotes from various transport companies and compare them with each other.
📁 What are the import tariffs in Argentina?
In Argentina, the import process is regulated by a system of tariffs and fees that depend on the type of product and its origin. Import duties are determined under an «ad valorem» scheme, meaning a percentage on the value of the imported merchandise. Rates vary considerably, with taxes that can be 0%, 8%, 14%, 16%, 18%, 20%, 25%, and up to 35%, in addition to applying additional duties in certain cases, such as anti-dumping measures, countervailing duties, and specific tariffs. These tariffs are calculated based on the CIF value of the merchandise, which includes the FOB value plus freight and statistical insurance of 1% of the CFR value.
In addition to these tariffs, importers must consider several additional taxes. The applicable VAT is generally 21%, although it is reduced to 10.5% for imports of capital goods, computing, or telecommunications. An additional 20% VAT, a 6% income tax, and a 3% gross income tax are also applied in applicable cases. Customs fees include an official customs fee of $10.00 and a customs digitization fee of $28.00. Furthermore, for products with wooden packaging, an additional fee (SENASA Wood) of USD 18 plus VAT is charged.
🛬 What are the Commercial Airports to receive my imports in Argentina?
They have several commercial airports that play a crucial role in air connectivity and the transport of passengers and goods. Some of the main commercial airports are:
- Ezeiza International Airport (Ministro Pistarini): Located in the city of Ezeiza, province of Buenos Aires. It is the most important airport in the country and is located 35 km southwest of the City of Buenos Aires. It handles a considerable amount of air cargo, including seeds, perishable cargo such as blueberries and salmon, live animals, pharmaceutical products, and for the automotive industry.
- Jorge Newbery Aeroparque: Situated in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, it is one of the busiest airports and a key option for cargo that needs quick distribution in the capital.
- Cordoba International Airport (Ingeniero Aeronáutico Ambrosio Taravella): Located 11.5 km from the city center of Cordoba. It is one of the most important airports in Argentina and handles perishable products such as fresh salmon and pharmaceutical products.
⚓What are the sailing times from Panama to Argentina?
Generally, the transit time starts from 35 days of sailing depending on the destination port, in addition to having weekly departure frequencies. Some of the most important ports are:
- Port of Buenos Aires: This is the most important port in Argentina and is located in a strategic location, near the capital city. It is responsible for significant container movement in the region and also serves as an embarkation point for tourist cruises.
- Port of Zarate Guazu: Although its infrastructure is not as advanced as other ports, its strategic location and railway connection make it attractive for businessmen. This port can handle up to 1,200 tons per hour and manage the unloading of multiple barges simultaneously.
- Port of San Pedro: Located on the Parana River, 151 miles from the capital, it is characterized by its infrastructure that allows the unloading of large vessels. It is one of the deepest ports and performs lightering operations and fuel provision.
- Port of Ramallo: This port is situated near Buenos Aires and specializes in the transport of wheat, corn, and sorghum. With a capacity to accommodate large vessels, it is also known for its tourist activity.
- Port of San Nicolas de los Arroyos: Found on the Parana River, in the Province of Buenos Aires. This port stands out in the import and export of grains, cereals, and steel, benefiting from its direct connection to Buenos Aires and other important cities.
- Port of Rosario: With direct connections to the Atlantic Ocean and located west of the Parana River, this port is vital for the export of goods in Argentina. It is close to the province of Santa Fe and Buenos Aires, and although its depth is less compared to other ports, it can serve large vessels.
In addition to these, there are other ports in Argentina that also play an important role in international trade, such as Bahia Blanca, Madryn, Mar del Plata, Quequen, and Ushuaia, among others. Each port has its own characteristics and specialties, making them suitable for different types of imports. To obtain detailed information about all ports, I would recommend consulting with the Port Authorities of Argentina.
📄Where is the Consulate of Argentina located?
Currently, it has its Consular Headquarters in Torre Global Bank, 50th Street, 24th Floor, Panama City, and you can contact them by phone at (+507) 302-0003/05/06 or via email at consuladopanama@cancilleria.gob.ar
🏨Where to stay if I travel to make my purchases?
If you book in advance you can save a lot of money; below we show you the hotel options chosen by the merchants who visit us in the Free Zone. Keep in mind that they are close by and you have the option to take a van or taxi that will take you inside it.
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.
⚓What are the types of maritime containers to send my purchases?
Today, there are logistics services designed to meet your specific needs when transporting merchandise from Panama to Argentina.
FULL CONTAINER LOAD (FCL) FROM PANAMA TO ARGENTINA:
We offer you a variety of options in our Full Container Load (FCL) service to Argentina, with 20 and 40-foot containers. If your cargo requires special equipment, such as open-top, flat-rack, or refrigerated containers, among others, our specialized equipment division in the Free Zone will provide you with the most suitable and available alternatives.
LESS THAN CONTAINER LOAD (LCL) FROM PANAMA TO ARGENTINA:
For shipments that do not occupy a full container, you can take advantage of our maritime consolidation service from Panama to Argentina. In this case, the rate is determined by the volume of your cargo. If the weight of the cargo exceeds the maximum limit allowed per cubic meter, a weight-based rate will apply.