Load Movement Process

Imports and Exports General Processes

Freight Movement

Circulation Requirements

Documentation

Imports and Exports General Processes

Panama import and export involves public and private sector. Below are the steps to be followed to export and import from/to Panama.

Imports

Step	Description
1	Receive a bill from a forwarding agent.
2	Receives bill of lading/way bill.
3	Documentation is given to a custom broker.
4	The custom broker classifies the bill by tariffs, because a bill can have different products under different custom tariffs.
5	The duties are paid according to the tariffs that would be the CIF value of the products.

Exports

Step	Description
1	The exporter should give a commercial bill which demonstrates a sale and exit of the product.
2	The exporter should request a reservation with a shipping line or freight agency that backs up the exit date and mode of transport that will be used for the export of the product.
3	Once the reservation is done, the exporter should give the reservation number with the commercial bill of the exportation to a customs broker, and then the broker should manage the duty payments in the VICOMEX (Unique window for exports).
4	After the duties are paid, the delivery of the merchandise is done in the place that is going to be consolidated in the case of bulk cargo, in case of a single vessel, it could be picked up in the port or selected site to take it to the warehouse and load the merchandize.
5	As soon as vessel is full, a trucker takes the bill, liquidation of exportation so the vessel can access pass the border.
6	The exporter should send via courier the original bills to the customer.
7	In case that the Bill of Lading/Road Waybill is printed in Panama then it should also be sent via courier, but if the Bill of Lading/Road Waybill was created in the destination then only the original bill needs to be send via courier.
8	The trucker should return to the client the original bill and liquidation documents.

Freight Movement

The following tables describe the documents and equipment regulations needed to move freight within Panama and internationally.

Ground Freight Transportation

Type of Movements	Required Documentation	Required equipment for all vehicles within Panamanian Territory
Internal movements	License type F or G License plate Weight and dimensions card Vehicle insurance Goods insurance Commercial bill	One lift capable of raising one vehicle Tools to replace a tire Spare tire Fire extinguisher type BC Two cues to block the vehicle Basic tools for emergency repairs Reflective security triangle
Bond to Bond movements	License type F or G License plate Weight and dimensions card SIGA Vehicle insurance Goods insurance
Long-haul movements	License type F or G License plate Weight and dimensions card Vehicle insurance Goods insurance TIM (International Transit of Merchandise) DUT (Unified Transit Declaration)

Additionally, as described in the previous table, all cargo vehicles must have a Certificate of Registration of Land Freight Transport Vehicles. The certificate is valid for twelve (12) months.

Requirements to Cross Borders

Country	Requirement
Country	Electronic Guide	Insurance	Fumigation	Vehicle Record	Vehicle History of Use	Driver’s License	Carrier ID	Road Waybill	Manifest	Invoice	Narcotic Revision
Costa Rica	x	× ⁽¹⁾	× ⁽²⁾	x	x	x	x	x	x	x
Nicaragua	x	x⁽³⁾	x⁽⁴⁾	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x⁽⁵⁾
Honduras	x			x	x	x	x	x	x	x
Guatemala	x			x	x	x	x	x	x	x
El Salvador	x			x	x	x	x	x	x	x

Notes:

Costa Rica
- (1) Insurance Cost: $18.00
- (2) Fumigation Cost: $8.00
Nicaragua
- (3) Insurance Cost: $12.00
- (4) Fumigation Cost: $7.00
- (5) Narcotic Revision Cost: $30.00 to $100.00 plus container seal

Circulation Requirements

In order to move freight, the Panamanian laws establish a number of documents required for circulation. There are two governmental entities involved in the process of obtaining the documentation, the Transit and Ground Transportation Authority (ATTT) and the City Hall. The documentation and process required are compiled in the following table.

1. Driver License – ATTT

Type	Use	Requirements	Examinations	Renovation requirements
F	Trucks over 8 tons	Two year experience with a license type C or D Less than thirty five infringement points acquired within the two years before the request Training course given by the Transit and Ground Transportation Authority or an authorized agent, in which the applicant is credited the ability to drive the vehicle Negative results on drug test Certificate for good mental and physical health	Auditory exam Vision examination Written exam Driver exam	Auditory exam Vision examination Negative results on drug test Review of infringement history
G	Combine Trucks	Two year experience with a license type F Less than thirty five infringement points acquired within the two years before the request Training course given by the Transit and Ground Transportation Authority (ATTT) or an authorized agent, in which the applicant is credited the ability to drive the vehicle Negative results on drug test

2. Other Documentation

Document	Type	Requirement	Content
Unique Record of Vehicle Ownership – ATTT	Written Record	Vehicle inspection by Transit and Ground Transportation Authority (ATTT) or an authorized agent Vehicle inscription on National Section of Unique Record of Vehicle Ownership of ATTT	Manufacturer’s Vehicle Identification Number Description: Brand, model, type, year of production, color, manufacturer’s name, passenger capacity Characteristics: Engine number, chassis number, type of fuel use, type of traction, bearing capacity, tonnage Provenance: Previous owner or dealer’s name, number of customs clearance, liens of legal restrictions Vehicle’s Owner: First name, last name, nationality, marital status, personal identification number or company name
Unique and Final License Plate – City Hall	Plate	Vehicular InspectionCertificate Certificate of Unique Record of Vehicle Ownership City hall certificate of no debt ATTT certificate of no debt Payment of the national circulation tax	Vehicle unique identification number
Weight and Dimension Permit – ATTT	–	$2.00 for permit payment Certificate of no debt by ATTT Brief requesting the permit with $4.00 in stamps. Not required for renovations Expected two days for permit delivery	Vehicle Characteristics Weight allowed by law Dimension allowed by law

Documentation

Documentation Description

The following table shows the instructions to fill the documents needed to move freight and their explanation.

Document	Documentation used to fill the form	Description
SIGA	Subscription to SIGA Bill of Lading or Manifest Commercial Movement Declaration	Required for transportation between bonds within Panama, it is a web portal that compiles the shipment information. Such information can be uploaded by the shipper if it is subscribed to SIGA portal or by a custom management enabler.
TIM (Tránsito Internacional de Mercancías) & DUCA (Declaración Única Centroamericana)	Subscription to TIM Bill of Lading or Manifest Commercial Movement Declaration	Required for transportation between bonds in Panama and bonds in Central America, the document compiles information about the shipment. Each cargo vehicle requires one TIM. Each cargo requires one DUCA*. DUCA is inserted within TIM, and can be one or several if consolidated cargo is transported. DUCA Print Format is distinguished according to the type of operation: DUCA-D: for goods originating in third countries and those that do not apply DUCA-F. DUCA-T: for goods in international land customs transit. DUCA-F: for merchandise originating in the Central American region. In the case of Panama, all exports of originating goods that, when applied in agreement with the countries of Central America, will benefit from 0% tariff.

Document

Documentation used to fill the form

Description

SIGA

Subscription to SIGA
Bill of Lading or Manifest
Commercial Movement Declaration

Required for transportation between bonds within Panama, it is a web portal that compiles the shipment information.

Such information can be uploaded by the shipper if it is subscribed to SIGA portal or by a custom management enabler.

TIM (Tránsito Internacional de Mercancías) & DUCA (Declaración Única Centroamericana)

Subscription to TIM
Bill of Lading or Manifest
Commercial Movement Declaration

Required for transportation between bonds in Panama and bonds in Central America, the document compiles information about the shipment.

Each cargo vehicle requires one TIM.

Each cargo requires one DUCA*. DUCA is inserted within TIM, and can be one or several if consolidated cargo is transported.

DUCA Print Format is distinguished according to the type of operation:

DUCA-D: for goods originating in third countries and those that do not apply DUCA-F.
DUCA-T: for goods in international land customs transit.
DUCA-F: for merchandise originating in the Central American region. In the case of Panama, all exports of originating goods that, when applied in agreement with the countries of Central America, will benefit from 0% tariff.

1. Resolution No. 409-2018 (COMIECO-LXXXV) approved the format of the transit declaration (DUCA), which entered into force on April 1, 2019 and replaces the Central American Single Customs Form (FAUCA) and the Single Declaration of Goods for International Land Customs Transit (DUT).

Sample Documents

Below are some examples of the documents required to move freight: