Understanding Peru Customs: Essential Knowledge for International Shippers

As Peru continues to expand its presence in global trade, understanding the country's customs procedures has become more important than ever for international businesses. 

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While it can be complicated, SkyPostal — and our 50 years of experience in the industry — is here to break the process down, ensuring you know absolutely everything there is about Peru customs and what to expect when you start your shipping process to Peru.

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Key Takeaways: 

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• SUNAT’s role in Peru customs: Peru’s customs authority, SUNAT, manages the regulation and enforcement of customs procedures to facilitate trade while ensuring compliance.
• Required import documentation: Key documents like commercial invoices, bills of lading, and certificates of origin are essential for smooth customs clearance in Peru.
• Restricted and prohibited imports: Importers must comply with regulations surrounding restricted items, such as pharmaceuticals, and avoid prohibited goods like narcotics and endangered species.
• Customs compliance strategies: Accurate documentation, proper classification of goods, and valuation are essential for maintaining compliance and avoiding penalties.
• Technological advancements: SUNAT’s digital systems for customs declarations and risk management enhance efficiency and reduce paperwork.
• Working with customs agents: Qualified customs agents help businesses navigate complex regulations, ensuring compliance and avoiding costly errors.

Peru’s Customs Authority: SUNAT 

First, let’s break down what Peru’s customs authority looks like. 

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The Superintendencia Nacional de Aduanas y de Administración Tributaria (also known as SUNAT) is Peru’s primary customs authority, responsible for overseeing the nation’s tax and customs regulations. 

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As a key player in Peru's economic framework, SUNAT facilitates international trade while ensuring compliance with local laws. They also work to regulate the entry and exit of goods, as well as conduct audits and manage custom-related risks. 

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SUNAT has undergone some significant modernization updates recently, allowing Peru customs to work even more efficiently than before. 

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For example, SUNAT has implemented electronic systems for customs declarations and payments, making the process more efficient for importers. (We’ll touch on these advancements more later.) 

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Staying up to date on SUNAT’s procedures helps professionals like you avoid any penalties or delays, as you’ll know what the system requires of you for a successful import process. 

Import Procedures and Required Documentation 

As we just mentioned, successfully navigating Peru’s customs process starts with a clear understanding of the necessary procedures and documentation. And we’re here to walk you through that.

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First, before you begin the shipping process, gather all required documents and ensure accuracy. Customers will then send this information to SkyPostal, who will transmit it directly to customs, simplifying the declaration process through SUNAT’s portal.

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Depending on the risk profile, your shipments may undergo physical inspections.

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Finally, once all duties, taxes, and fees are paid, your goods are cleared for release. 

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Along with following the correct procedure, you also will need to ensure you have all the necessary documentation to get through Peru customs. 

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For customs clearance, you need to have the following: 

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• Commercial invoice: Detailing the value, quantity, and description of the goods.
• Bill of lading or airway bill: Proof of shipment, which we at SkyPostal handle.
• Packing list: Providing detailed information about the contents of the shipment.
• Certificate of origin: If applicable, for preferential tariff treatment under free trade agreements.
• Import licenses or special permits: Required for restricted items.

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Again, make sure you’re double-checking accuracy to avoid delays and ensure that all documents are translated into Spanish if required.

Customs Duties, Tariffs, and Fees

Now, let’s talk about Peru’s customs duties, tariffs, and fees. 

Knowing how to navigate Peru’s tariff system is essential for importers to accurately calculate costs and avoid surprises during customs clearance. 

Import duties are calculated based on the CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) value, typically ranging from 0% to 11%. VAT, currently set at 18%, applies to the total CIF value, duties, and additional fees.

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With SkyPostal’s service, goods under $200 USD are exempt from duties and taxes, saving importers costs. For other items, a consistent rate of 4% duties and 18% taxes is applied.

Finally, keep in mind that importers may also be subject to administrative fees for customs services, warehousing, or storage during the clearance process.

Restricted and Prohibited Imports

Of course, you can’t import just anything in Peru. Thus, you must be aware of both the restricted and prohibited import items before starting your shipping process. 

In terms of restricted imports, special permits and documentation are required for pharmaceuticals and chemicals. Firearms and explosives are also heavily regulated and require government authorization. 

Finally, certain foods and beverages may need health or sanitary certificates, so make sure you’re prepared. 

For restricted items, importers must secure the appropriate permits from relevant Peruvian authorities, such as the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Defense, depending on the nature of the goods. 

Other imports such as drugs and narcotics are strictly banned without exception. Endangered species and related products are also prohibited under international conventions like CITES. 

Customs Compliance and Risk Management 

If you want to avoid penalties, delays, or any other complications with your Peru imports, maintaining compliance is key. 

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This means ensuring that all of your required documents are complete and correctly filled out to avoid customs delays or rejections. With SkyPostal, all values are declared accurately to prevent penalties or increased costs.

Properly classifying goods using the Harmonized System (HS) codes is also essential for determining correct duties and taxes. 

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Unfortunately, errors in classification can lead to penalties or higher costs.

Also, it’s worth noting that SUNAT uses a risk-based system to determine whether shipments need further inspection or verification. Thus, importers with a history of compliance and accurate reporting are more likely to benefit from faster clearance and fewer audits - importers like SkyPostal.

Technological Advancements in Peru’s Customs 

We briefly mentioned at the beginning that Peru’s customs have undergone some impressive technological advancements over the years — making the entire process so much more streamlined. Let’s expand on that a bit. 

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SUNAT’s electronic customs system, for example, helps importers submit customs declarations, track shipments, and pay duties online, significantly reducing paperwork and speeding up the customs process.

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SUNAT utilizes advanced data analytics to assess risks, enabling faster clearance for compliant shipments while targeting high-risk goods for inspection.

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Finally, the digital submission of key documents, such as certificates of origin and invoices, streamlines the customs process, reducing delays caused by manual processing. 

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Every one of these advancements has helped bring SUNAT to where it is today. 

Working With Customs Agents in Peru 

While navigating Peru’s customs procedures can be complex, working with a qualified customs agent can help businesses ensure compliance and avoid costly errors. 

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Customs agents are well-versed in the latest regulations, documentation requirements, and tariff classifications, helping importers avoid delays or penalties. They’ll even help manage the preparation and submission of necessary documents, ensuring that all paperwork is accurate and complete.

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Plus, a good agent can help mitigate risks by staying updated on changes in customs laws and procedures — that way you don’t have to. 

If you don’t know where to start, we have you covered.  

SkyPostal’s established network of customs agents, businesses can access expert assistance for customs clearance in Peru, ensuring smoother and faster processing of shipments.

Discover Your Options for Shipping to Peru 

If you’re aiming to enter the country’s ever-growing market, mastering Peru’s customs is absolutely essential. And, as Peru continues to modernize its customs processes with technological advancements, working with experts like SkyPostal remains crucial for ensuring smooth operations.

For businesses looking to streamline their shipping to Peru, SkyPostal offers expert customs assistance and tailored solutions to help you navigate these complexities with ease. Contact us today to learn how we can support your shipping needs throughout Latin America.