APA Agency
The Panamanian Food Safety Agency (APA) regulates the importation of food, sweets and supplements.
- Cost: $6 per notification
- Time: 5-8 business days
Customs Procedures Special
Special
Procedures
We manage the necessary permits and procedures for importing regulated products into Panama.
Guide to Times and Costs
Each product has different requirements under Panamanian law. Check here the estimated costs and times for each procedure.
These procedures are the management or diligence required by a good due to its condition or nature. They are often needed to leave the country of origin or enter the destination country.
You can learn more about products that require special procedures in the following information table:
New Provision
Amendment to Law 1 on Medicines and Other Products for Human Health requiring a Sanitary Registry Exemption procedure for Public or Private acquisition worth $500 for importation.
| PRODUCT | COST | ESTIMATED TIME | QUANTITY LIMIT | INFORMATION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Medicines, Vitamins, Vitamin Supplements | $8 (per box) | 3-5 (business days) for invoices under $100.00 CIF | ___ | |
 Shampoos, Creams, Perfumes, Cosmetics | $8 (per box) | 10-15 (business days) for invoices over $100.00 CIF | 3 products per person, no more than 500 ml per month. | |
 Food and Candy. | $6 (per notification) | 5-8 (business days) | 3kg (3 times per year) | |
 Supplements (Without Vitamins). | $6 (per notification) | 5-8 (business days) | 5kg (3 times per year) | |
 Oils, Paints. | $10 (handling) $25 (memorial) | 3-5 (business days) | ___ | |
 Wood derivatives, Fabric carpets, Paper or books. | $14 (handling) $25 (memorial) | 6-8 (business days) | ___ | |
 Reagents, Pregnancy tests. | $25 | 3-5 (business days) | ___ | |
 Hazardous Material. | $10 - $20 (per package) | 15-30 (business days) | ___ |
Restricted Merchandise
Restricted merchandise refers to goods that by legal mandate require authorization from one or more competent entities to be subject to a specific customs regime.
- Pepper Spray
- Seeds
- Plants
- Products classified as Hazardous Material
- Pesticides, Agrochemicals
- Fertilizers
- Supplements, Medicines and Vitamins for Animals
- Agricultural Products
- Pet Food
- Products containing cannabis, HEMP and Hemp
- Plant Fertilizers
- Shampoo or Conditioner for Animals and similar
- Animal collars with medicinal content
- Air Rifles and their parts
- Paintball Guns
- Drones
Before sending these products to your Miami address, verify the procedures and requirements you must fulfill for their importation.
Note: The importation of counterfeit merchandise and replicas is prohibited. These goods will be confiscated by the National Customs Authority.
Prohibited Merchandise
Prohibited merchandise refers to goods that by legal mandate are prohibited from entering or leaving the national territory.
- Ammunition
- Rice
- Weapons, parts, spares and accessories
- Matches, Blasting Caps, Lighters
- Poisons
- Money
- Explosives, Gunpowder
- Infrared telescopic sight
- Fireworks
- Drugs and narcotics
- Electronic Cigarettes, parts and similar
- Controlled Medications
- Supplements with DMAA
- Cannabis and its derivatives
- Counterfeit Merchandise or Replicas
- Acetone
- Perishable Products
- Corpses, Live Animals
- Vaporizers
- Hemp Supplements/Vitamins/Oils
- Weapon Replicas, Collection Weapons
- Molds for cases/Weapons
Do not send these products to your Miami address. They cannot be transported and you will have to assume the costs of returning them to the supplier or destruction.
Note: The importation of counterfeit merchandise and replicas is prohibited. These goods will be confiscated by the National Customs Authority.
The Pharmacy and Drugs Department of the Ministry of Health is the entity responsible for monitoring and guaranteeing that medicines, as well as products that come into contact with the skin such as makeup, perfumes, creams, etc., are safe, effective, and comply with the quality standards established in current national and international sanitary regulations.
The Pharmacy and Drugs procedure is necessary for importing medicines and personal use products that come into contact with the body.
Legal Basis: Executive Decree 13 of March 1, 2023, Article 332, numeral 2.
Product Examples:
- Medicines
- Vitamin Supplements
- Vitamins
- Cosmetics
- Body creams
- Perfumes
- Shampoo
- Personal care products
- among others
Requirements:
- Letter of responsibility signed in ORIGINAL.
- Commercial Invoice
- Copy of ID or passport
- Medical prescription, issued by a Panamanian doctor, in case of medication (See details below of basic requirements the prescription must contain to be accepted Click Here)
-
Technical data sheet for Medicine Products:
- Product Trade Name
- Presentation Format (liquid, cream, etc)
- RX Format (mg, ml, grams, ounces)
- Quantities
-
Technical data sheet for Topical Use Products:
- Product Trade Name
- Presentation Format (liquid, cream, etc)
- Image
Estimated processing time: 3 to 5 business days.
Cost: $8
Notes: In the case of cosmetics and personal use products, only up to 6 products per person and a volume not exceeding 500ml per month will be allowed (DOES NOT APPLY FOR KITS).
The Panamanian Food Safety Agency (APA) is a governing state entity created with the objective of managing and verifying procedures for agro-industrial and industrial food production, as well as food export and import.
Legal Basis: Resolution AUPSA-DINAN-055-2016, Article 6: Paragraphs 3 and 4.
Products:
- Dietary and Food Supplements
- Candy
- Cookies
- Sodas
- Food
Requirements:
- Commercial Invoice
- Copy of ID or Passport (Resident card is not valid)
- Product Image(s)
- Product technical data sheet
Estimated processing time: 5-8 business days.
Cost: $6 per notification or description.
Notes:
For personal consumption you can only import up to:
- 3 Kilograms of Supplements per person, only 3 times per year and 6 kilograms per family group.
- 5 kilograms of food per person, only 3 times per year or 10 kilograms per family group.
Any Supplement containing vitamins within its component is excluded from this procedure and moves to PHARMACY AND DRUGS PROCEDURE.
Required for importing products classified as flammable. This is a process requested by the Panama Fire Department.
Products:
- Oils
- Paints
- Oil derivatives
- Perfumes
- Splash
- Aerosol paint
- Fire extinguishers and their parts
- among others
Requirements:
- Copy of ID or Passport
- Purchase Invoice
Estimated processing time: 3 to 5 business days.
Cost: Handling ($10.00) and Memorial ($25.00). Does not include customs handling.
The Executive Directorate of Agricultural Quarantine of the Ministry of Agricultural Development is responsible for protecting agricultural health, applying strict sanitary and phytosanitary measures to prevent the possible introduction, establishment, and spread of exotic diseases and/or pests that affect human, animal, plant life, and the environment, thus contributing to expedite, timely, and safe agricultural commercial exchange.
It is necessary for importing timber products in all their forms, by-products and/or derivatives, as well as everything related to Plant Health and Animal Health.
Products:
- Wood derivatives
- Fabric carpets
- Paper or books in volume
- among others
Requirements:
- Commercial Invoice
Costs: $14.00 (Does not include customs handling; by legal provisions, all products requiring ANAM or Quarantine procedures must pay import taxes.)
It is important to know that some products require Sanitary Registries and prior processing before arrival, such as:
Restricted Products:
- Agrochemicals
- Fertilizers
- Pesticides
- Seeds
- Animal Supplements
- Animal Medicines
- Others
Requirements:
- Commercial Invoice
- Sanitary Registry
- Prior Procedure Approval
Estimated processing time: 3 to 5 business days.
NEW PROVISIONS FOR CARGO HANDLING UNDER THE QUARANTINE PROCEDURE.
The Ministry of Agricultural Development of Panama has added books to the list of import products requiring the Quarantine procedure and has issued new provisions for their handling.
The import of small quantities of books, whether new or used, without going through this quarantine procedure will be allowed. If you bring boxes of books, even if new, they must go through said procedure. All packages requiring quarantine procedures must be processed with individual tracking. To carry out the procedure, the commercial invoice of the articles to be imported will be required. Please take note of the times to guarantee receipt of your merchandise.
Required for importing laboratory reagent products and pregnancy tests. This is a process requested by the Ministry of Health of Panama.
Products:
- Reagents
- Pregnancy tests
- among others
Requirements:
- Authorization Letter
- Commercial Invoice
- ID
Estimated processing time: 3 to 5 business days.
Cost: $25
Hazardous material is any solid, liquid, or gaseous substance that due to its physical, chemical, or biological characteristics can cause damage to humans, the environment, and property.
The following products are considered hazardous materials:
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Requirements:
- Customer authorization
- Commercial Invoice
Estimated processing time: For the transport of said merchandise we offer two trips per month, one mid-month and one at the end of the month.
Cost: Additional charge ranging from $10.00 to $20.00 per package. Rates for air shipments. If the shipment is made via maritime transport, maritime HAZMAT charges will apply.
Note: Items such as compressors, motorcycle batteries, air bags, seat belts with airbag systems, items with combustion engines, ergonomic chairs, fire extinguishers, multi-use charcoal tablets for quick lighting of incense, generators, among other products, require a special type of certified box packaging and due to their Hazmat classification they are unique within the consolidation; the charge would be between $100.00-$165.00 per package.
Magnets note: The cost of packages containing magnets ranges from $10.00 to $20.00 if their weight is less than 4 pounds and between $100.00 to $165.00 if their weight exceeds 4 pounds.
Other Products: Not detailed or contemplated within the list. For more information check the IATA DANGEROUS GOODS REGULATIONS.
Regulatory entities for special procedures
MINSA (Pharmacies)
The Department of Pharmacies and Drugs oversees the safety of medications, cosmetics and personal care products.
- Cost: $8 per procedure
- Time: 3-5 business days
Quarantine (MIDA)
Protection of agricultural health to prevent pests in wood, carpets and organic products.
- Cost: $14 (handling)
- Time: 6-8 business days
Do you have a
restricted product?
Don't risk customs retaining your cargo. Contact us and we'll guide you through the entire regulated import process.
Consult Special Case