Panama Expat Forum

volcan357
Joined 2013
Posts: 1681

4 years ago

Customs and Duty

4 years ago

One positive thing about Panama is that when you order something from outside the country the duty or taxes charged are very reasonable. A number of Latin American countries charge exorbitant duty and taxes if you have anything shipped in from outside the country. This is true of several countries that supposedly have a much lower cost of living than Panama. Also in general it is cheaper to buy and maintain a car in Panama as compared to several other Latin American countries. It is fairly easy to find a good deal on a used car in Panama. There is a big selection. I recently renewed my tags on my old Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep and it costs me 165 dollars including insurance, inspection and the new plates. Keeping my vehicle in repair is fairly cheap and the cost of diesel is lower than many other countries. I've brought into Panama a large commercial mower, a Massey Ferguson tractor and several hundred small items shipped in through a private mail service during the past 20 years. Never once was I charged what I considered to be an unreasonable amount of duty. And when you fly in you can bring in pretty much anything you want that fits in your luggage. Or at least that has been my experience. Anyhow this is something to take into consideration when comparing the cost of living of Panama to other countries. I have heard stories of people having mailed items to the Dominican Republic and having to pay an outrageous sum to receive their item. Same with Nicaragua and several other countries. So if you occasionally like to order items from Amazon or eBay it is something to take into consideration.

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

Living in Panama Guide

Our Guide to Living in Panama is a perfect primer for readers interested in Panama. Covers healthcare, cost of living, best places to live, residency, visas, real estate, moving tips and the pros and cons of living in Panama.

Panama Forum
Join our Panama forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Panama.

Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Panama.

Best Places to Live in Panama

If you're dreaming about living in Panama, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Panama in 2023.

Healthcare in Panama

Expats have differing opinions about healthcare in Panama. Many advice against public hospitals and healthcare, but some recount good experiences. This article covers public vs private healthcare, cost of healthcare, obtaining prescription medications and much more.

Cost of Living in Panama

Expats in Panama enjoy a relatively low cost of living. However, it's important to do your research to make sure you'll actually enjoy those saving while creating a high quality of life as an expat in Panama.

Moving to Panama Guide

Do you have to buy a round trip ticket when moving to Panama? How difficult is it to bring my dog? Should I buy a home in Panama? Can I find health

Real Estate in Panama

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Panama.

Pros & Cons of Living in Panama

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Panama.

Retiring in Panama

Advice for people retiring in Panama.

Panama Visa & Residency Guide

This article covers the ins and outs of the most common tourist and residency visas that expats and global nomads obtain when moving to and living in Panama.

10 Tips for Living in Panama

If you've recently arrived in Panama, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Panama.

Additional Information:

Visit our Panama Index for a Full List

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

Contribute
Help others in Panama by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Panama.