Importing Personal Effects into Paraguay: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2023 · Download the Paraguay Import Guide (PDF)

General comment

• For immigrants and returning citizen packing list and bill of lading must be with the stamp from Paraguayan Consulate/Embassy in origin. In case that any Paraguayan Consulate/Embassy is located in the country, the documents must be legalized at the nearest Paraguayan Consulate or Embassy.
• The customs does not accept the apostille of HAYA.
• The customs does not accept “SEA WAYBILL”.
• Immigrants coming to the country for labour purposes will be required to submit the employment letter issued by the local company they will work for, as well as the receipt that will be given to them when applying for the permanent residency at the Immigration offices.
• In case that the client is coming to the country just as an immigrant, without any labour contract, they will required submitting the temporary residence card. ▪ All shipments must be re weight at the Paraguayan port, if the shipment has a difference of more than 4%, a correction to the manifest will be required. The cost will be USD 90.00.
• All particular shipments must be considered as CASUAL IMPORTER applying the 80/20
• regulation process.

• Please avoid to ship with MAERKS, SAFAMARINE, SEALAND because the local representative does not allow personal effects and the container cannot tranship.
• The timeframe to get the customs clearance done for:
• Immigrants- Returning citizen: from 8 to 10 days.
• Diplomatic: 4 days approx.
• Please mention in the BL port of discharge: Asuncion, Paraguay.
• If you ship with MSC, there will be extra charges of USD 150.00.

Removal goods Non-Citizens

• Original ID card
• Temporary residence CARNET issued.
• Certificate of Customs.
• 2 copies of the packing list.
• 2 copies of the OBL or AWB showing the real weight of the cargo and the tare weight of the container.

• The Paraguayan Customs Offices does NOT accept "Express Release OBL” or “Sea Waybill”.
• The packing list, the B/L or AWB, and the car commercial invoice must have the stamp of the Paraguayan Consulate at origin.
• Temporary Residence (this has to be done within the 6 months of emission. valid undefined time).
• Within the first six months of this type of residence, foreigners have the right to import their household goods without paying taxes.
• Transhipments through the Port of Buenos Aires will be managed via the Paraguayan Franco Port.
• A US$ 90.00 charge will apply to all OBLs.

• The procedure to obtain the radiation permit takes about 3 months and may be obtained if all the documents requested by the immigration office are completed.
• Removal goods consist of used household effects, which have been in the owner’s use and possession abroad for at least one year, and will be for the continued use of the owner at his new residence.
• If your agent has to translate the inventory/packing list into Spanish, or make corrections to the B/L or AWB, extra costs may be invoiced to the origin agent without notice.
• According to the Central Customs Office and following the Circular #29, all documents require the “CONSULAR VISA”.

Diplomats removals

• Diplomatic passport.
• Diplomatic accreditation by Paraguayan Governments.
• Diplomatic Franchises.

• Diplomats can import alcohol in their shipments - please mentioned in the packing list as rest of winery. If the client wants to ship alcohol in big quantities, the Embassy needs to provide diplomatic franchises for these.
• Diplomats can import food in their shipments -please mentioned in the packing list as rest of warehouse. If the client wants to ship food in big quantities, the Embassy needs to provide us diplomatic franchises for these.
• Duty free entry.

• In order to start the procedure to obtain the diplomatic franchise, the owner must be first accredited by the Paraguayan Government and must be in Paraguay min. 4 weeks before the arrival of his shipment.

Returning citizens

• Same as above.
• Returning Paraguayans (minimum two years outside the country) need to have the
• Following documents in order to benefit from tax exemption:
• Paraguayan documents.
• Country of origin document.
• List of the goods and bill of lading with stamp by the Paraguayan Consulate at origin.
• Letter/Certificate of residence issued by the Paraguayan Consulate at origin.
• Repatriation identification.
• Sworn declaration
• Passport copy.

• The Paraguayans returning have the right to import their goods without paying duties, therefore, they must go to the repatriation
• Office (with the required documents).

• Time of the dispatch:
• Between 8-10 days from the entrance of the shipment to the customs systems, as
• Long as all the information required by the customs is ready.

Immigrants and non-diplomatic returning Paraguayans

• Copy of Application for temporary residence.
• Certificate of not being a taxpayer in Paraguay.
• Note from the company, (if the client comes to work).
• Copy of the passport with stamp of entry to Paraguay.
• Rent house contract or title of property.
• Bill of Lading duly legalized by the Paraguayan Consulate in origin.
• Packing list duly legalized by the Consulate of Paraguay in origin.

Wedding trousseaux

• Same as above.

• Subject to payment of duties.

Inheritance

• Legalised inheritance certificate.

• Same as above.

New furniture and HHG

• Same as above.

Works of Art & Antiques

• No document required if part of the household effects.

Household appliances

• Same as works of Art.

Electrical appliances

• Same as above.

Presents and Souvenirs

• No document required if part of the household effects.

Machines, appliances, spare parts

• Same as above.

Carpets

• Same as above.

Plants

• Importation with removal prohibited.

Cats and dogs, other animals

• Health and vaccination certificates visaed by the Paraguayan Consulate.
• Certificate free of leishmaniasis.
• AWB.
• Copy of the Client’s passport.

Alcohol

• Import of alcohol is prohibited.

• See under ‘Diplomats removal’ section.

Tins and food

• Food requires health inspection, which may prolong customs clearance process.

• See under ‘Diplomats removal’ section.

Arms, ammunitions, dangerous objects

• Authorisation issued by the Police authorities.

• Military equipment is prohibited.

Fumigation of imported and exported wooden crates

• Paraguayan Government adopted ISPM-15 (International standards for Phytosanitary
• Measures Publication 15) Guidelines for
• Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade (aka NIFM-15) to standardise the treatment of wood packing materials used for the transport of goods.

Exporting Personal Effects from Paraguay: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2023 · Download the Paraguay Export Guide (PDF)

Non-Citizens

• Paraguayan ID card
• Passport
• Proof of residence
• Permanent and/or temporal filing car

• Proof of residence: rent contract, water bill, electricity bill.

Diplomatic

• Diplomatic release
• Passport
• Tax exemption card

• Diplomatic release: Given by the Minister of Exterior Relations in Asuncion, it needs to be requested by the corresponding Embassy.

Paraguayans

• Paraguayan ID
• Company note
• Proof of residence at destination
• Passport

• Company note: If the client is moving due work reasons.

Paraguay Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

Source: IAM Country Guide · Updated 2026-09-05 · Download the Paraguay Country Guide (PDF)

Documents

Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.

• Original national ID card
• Temporary residence Carnet issued by Paraguayan immigration
• Certificate of Customs
• 2 copies of the packing list (detailed, with quantity, description, and unit value for each item)
• 2 copies of the Original Bill of Lading (OBL) or Air Waybill (AWB), showing the actual weight of the cargo and the tare weight of the container
• All documents (packing list and OBL/AWB) must bear the Consular Visa stamp from the Paraguayan Consulate or Embassy at origin. If no Paraguayan Consulate is present in the country of origin, documents must be legalized at the nearest Paraguayan Consulate or Embassy.
• For immigrants coming to work: employment letter from the local company, plus the receipt from the immigration office confirming application for permanent residency
• For immigrants arriving without a labour contract: temporary residence card

• All documents above
• Country of origin document
• List of goods and bill of lading stamped by the Paraguayan Consulate at origin
• Letter/Certificate of residence issued by the Paraguayan Consulate at origin
• Repatriation identification
• Sworn declaration
• Copy of passport

• Diplomatic passport
• Diplomatic accreditation by the Paraguayan Government
• Diplomatic franchise

Specific Information

Important shipping note: Avoid Maersk, Safmarine, and Sealand for Paraguay shipments -- the local representative does not permit personal effects and containers cannot transship. MSC carries an extra charge of approximately USD 150. The BL must state the port of discharge as Asuncion, Paraguay.

Paraguayan Customs does not accept Express Release OBLs or Sea Waybills. Only original OBLs are accepted. The Apostille of The Hague Convention is not accepted in lieu of the Paraguayan Consular Visa stamp; all documents must carry the stamp directly.

Household goods and personal effects must have been in the owner's use and possession abroad for at least 12 months and will continue to be used by the owner at their new residence in Paraguay.

Foreigners holding a valid temporary residence permit may import used household goods duty-free within the first 6 months of obtaining that residence. The process to obtain the permanent residence (radiation) permit takes approximately 3 months.

Returning Paraguayan citizens who have lived abroad for at least 2 years may import goods free of duty and taxes, provided they obtain the required documents from the Repatriation Office before the shipment arrives.

Diplomats may import household goods and personal effects duty-free. To initiate the diplomatic franchise process, the diplomat must be accredited by the Paraguayan Government and must be in Paraguay at least 4 weeks before the shipment arrives.

All shipments are subject to the CASUAL IMPORTER 80/20 regulation process. All shipments are re-weighed at the Paraguayan port; if the weight differs from the manifest by more than 4%, a manifest correction is required at a cost of approximately USD 90. A USD 90 charge also applies to all OBLs.

All documents (packing list, BL or AWB, and commercial invoice for vehicles) must carry the Consular Visa stamp per Circular No. 29 of the Central Customs Office. If the destination agent must translate the inventory/packing list into Spanish or correct the BL/AWB, additional costs may be charged to the origin agent.

Works of art, antiques, household appliances, electrical appliances, gifts, souvenirs, machines, spare parts, and carpets require no additional documentation if included as part of the household goods shipment.

Clearance timeframes: immigrants and returning citizens approximately 8-10 days; diplomatic shipments approximately 4 days.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

• Alcohol (prohibited for non-diplomatic imports; diplomats may include alcohol with appropriate diplomatic franchise documentation, listed as "rest of winery" on the packing list; large quantities require embassy-provided diplomatic franchises)
• Plants (import with removal goods is prohibited)
• Military equipment

Food items, including tinned goods: Permitted in small quantities as part of a removal, but a health inspection is required, which may extend the customs clearance process. Diplomats may include food in larger quantities with appropriate diplomatic franchise documentation; list as "rest of warehouse" on the packing list.

Firearms and ammunition: Permitted with authorization from the Paraguayan police or relevant authorities.

Dangerous objects and weapons: Permitted with authorization from the police or relevant authorities.

Wedding trousseaux: Subject to payment of duties.

Inheritances: Subject to duties; a legalized inheritance certificate is required.

Consignment Instructions

Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air, sea, and road shipments.

Paraguay is a landlocked country. Sea shipments arrive via the port of Buenos Aires and are then handled through the Paraguayan Franco Port for transshipment to Asuncion. The Bill of Lading must clearly state the port of discharge as Asuncion, Paraguay. Do not use Maersk, Safmarine, or Sealand lines; use approved carriers and confirm with the destination agent before booking.

Express Release OBLs and Sea Waybills are not accepted under any circumstances. Only original OBLs are processed. Apostille stamps do not substitute for the Paraguayan Consular Visa stamp; all documents (packing list, OBL/AWB, vehicle invoice) must carry the Paraguayan Consulate stamp at origin before shipping.

Packing lists must be in Spanish (or translated to Spanish by the destination agent at additional cost), fully detailed with quantity, item description, and unit value for every item. Generic descriptions will not be accepted. No item should be listed as "miscellaneous" or similar.

For diplomatic shipments, the diplomat must be in Paraguay and accredited by the government at least 4 weeks before the shipment arrives to initiate the diplomatic franchise. This timeline is firm; late arrival by the diplomat will delay or block clearance.

All wood packing materials must be ISPM 15 compliant. All shipments are re-weighed at the Paraguayan port; budget for the USD 90 manifest correction fee if there is any possibility of a weight discrepancy exceeding 4%.