Car Shipping Panama
Delivering Your Car To Panama From The USA
Shipping A Car To Panama.
Typical Prices – What's the Cost?
- Most auto transport costs to Panama from the U.S. fall between $1,500 and $4,300.
- Additional costs can accrue for vehicles that are oversized (or won’t fit in a container), premium services, and vehicles shipped from more distant parts of the United States.
Cost & Time For Shipment
To/From Cristobal | Ground | Ocean | Days |
---|---|---|---|
San Jose to Cristobal | $200 | $2,900 | 5+19 |
Las Vegas to City | $450 | $2,900 | 5+19 |
Phoenix to Cristobal | $550 | $2,900 | 6+19 |
Columbus to the Area | $550 | $2,900 | 5+16 |
Charlotte to Cristobal | $575 | $2,900 | 6+16 |
Atlanta to City | $700 | $2,900 | 6+16 |
Denver to Cristobal | $775 | $2,900 | 7+19 |
Memphis to City Limits | $800 | $2,900 | 6+16 |
Miami to Cristobal | $925 | $2,900 | 7+16 |
Dallas to Cristobal | $1,025 | $2,900 | 7+19 |
*Prices and times are estimated. They can vary depending on the season and the type of vehicle.
*Save the ground transport cost by delivering the auto to the nearest port.
*Allow an additional 10 days to process the documents.
*Prices are for 1 car in a dedicated 20ft container. This is the safest and most reliable way to transport a vehicle internationally. Other items may be included in the container to help save you money when moving.
*Using the RoRo (roll on, roll off) method is less expensive and shipments can be completed in fewer days. Contact us now for a free RoRo quote.
It is definitely in your best interests to choose the right international shipper if you’re considering shipment of your vehicle. This should be a company with a great track record of experience in shipping to Panama, and well aware of all the requirements both at the port of origin and the port of destination. A knowledgeable company that knows local rules and regulations can anticipate problems before they occur, and save a great deal of hassle.
There are several ports in the south from which your vehicle might depart, including Port Everglades, Miami, Houston, or Galveston. To determine which port would be closest to your home, you can check a map of U.S. Ports. This will be important in figuring out whether you need to have your vehicle shipped door-to-port (picked up at your home) or port-to-port (you drive it to the port).
Two main ports in Panama could serve as the destination ports, Manzanillo, and Cristobal.
Popular Destinations
- Arraijan
- Chilibre
- Chitré
- Colon
- David
- La Chorrera
- Las Cumbres
- Pacora
- Panama City
- San Miguelito
- Santiago
- Tocumen
- Vista Alegre
Cost Factors
Several things factor into the cost of transporting your vehicle. One of those was mentioned above, the door-to-port vs. port-to-port plan for getting the vehicle to its point of origin. The next thing to determine is whether it will be shipped in an exclusive container (the most expensive option), a shared container (slightly less expensive), or shipped via RORO, (roll-on/roll-off). This term means your car must be capable of being driven on and off the ship; during transport, it will be exposed to the open air.
The cost may also be affected by the size of your car, the time of year (when fewer departures are scheduled), and the quantity of insurance paid, if any. Taxes and other port-imposed charges can add up to a significant amount, especially in Panama.
Your carrier will probably be aware of all these and can help you plan for them. When the necessary options above have been decided, your carrier will be able to give you a fairly accurate quote for the entire operation.
Required Documents
- Passport.
- Driver's license.
- Proof ownership.
- Bill of lading.
- Packing list.
- Certificate of origin.
- Eligibility. Make sure your auto is eligible to be shipped to another country. The exact laws governing eligibility are listed in Title 19 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, but in general, refer to the documentation requirements and rules regarding lienholder permission.
- File with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This is one of those areas that may be handled by your shipper, but be sure and confirm this. Documentation must be submitted to this agency at least 72 hours before the vehicle can be exported, and it is advisable to allow even more time.
UPON ARRIVAL
- Retrieving the vehicle. Make sure you are present to pick up the car so that it doesn’t end up being held, pending proper authorization.
- Taxes and Duties. After the vehicle has been successfully shipped and retrieved, you may have to get it inspected and pay additional taxes. Panama taxes are high on imported autos, so for current tax information, check with the Panamanian US Embassy.
Hauling Of Heavy Equipment & Oversized Cargo
The act of shipping heavy equipment or oversized cargo out of the United States and to a country far across the seas is a task that’s better left to licensed transport specialists with a history of successful overseas deliveries. There’s a lot that goes into the planning and preparing of an overseas delivery. Without access to the right equipment and technology, delivering heavy equipment to another country is nearly hopeless. Before you can even ship your oversized cargo, you must first comply with their import laws and provide specified forms of proof to the Customs Department. Luckily, A1 Auto Transport will be there every step of the way.
We have delivered all types of heavy equipment and overseas cargo to other countries throughout the time we have been in business in the industry. To give you an idea of some of the pieces of heavy equipment and oversized cargo we have delivered outside the U.S., here is a small list of examples…
- Tractors
- Backhoes
- Forklifts
- Skidders
- Excavators
- Pavers
- Skidders
- Loaders
- RVs
- Pontoon Boats and Large Water Vessels
- Compactors
- Cranes
- Bulldozers
- Large Vehicles and Dump Trucks
- Haulers and More…
What Transport Methods May I Use?
The type of cargo you wish to have imported into Panama will predict which of our overseas transport methods are open to you. Below, we’ve included a summary of each international transport service we have available…
- Container delivery is ultimately the safest form of international transport. As long as your heavy equipment can fit into a 40ft container, you can take advantage of this enclosed method. However, anticipate paying a little more for this method of transport due to its extra security.
- Flat rack services include securing your cargo to a metal frame before it is placed atop the water vessel. This is an open-air service.
- RoRo transport is the cheapest and most favored open-air service we offer. It is available to those with functioning vehicles and equipment that can drive onto and off of the boat using a ramp.
- LoLo transport is an open-air service that’s recommended for those with inoperable large vehicles and equipment. A crane is used to lift the cargo on and off of the ship safely.
Relevant Statistics
- Over 10,000 cars are shipped to Panama annually.
- Approximately 85% of vehicles shipped are used cars.
- The average cost is $1,200.
- Around 90% of cars originate from the United States.
- The busiest port for car shipments is the Port of Balboa, handling over 6,000 vehicle imports per year.
General Facts
- Shipping a car to Panama requires proper documentation, including the car's title, registration, and proof of ownership.
- The most common method to ship a car is through a container, where the vehicle is loaded into a container for transport.
- It is important to comply with Panama's import requirements, which may include paying taxes and duties on the imported vehicle.
- Moving can take several weeks or even months depending on the origin and logistics.
- Hiring a reliable and experienced international company is recommended to ensure a smooth process and compliance with all necessary regulations.
Other Services
- Overseas Moving Services to Panama
Related Information & FAQs.
- What determines the cost to haul a car to Panama through a US transporter?
- Hire a professional to ship your vehicle overseas to Panama
- Learn about the process of moving a car from Miami to Panama
- What is the cost of delivering from the US to Panama through RO