Post actualizado el día octubre 25, 2026 by DeiviSanzPlay
The questions that really come up when importing into Paraguay
First-time importers often approach this topic with a mistaken idea: that it all comes down to paying the customs clearance fee. In practice, most problems occur before and after customs: in tariff classification, in the importer’s registration, and in the supplier’s documentation. These answers are intended for those who already have an operation in mind and need to make informed decisions.
Frequently asked questions about import procedures in Paraguay
Do I need to be registered as an importer to bring in merchandise?
Yes, if the import is commercial. An individual can import, but must have an active RUC and be listed in the registry of importers of the Dirección Nacional de Aduanas (National Customs Directorate). For low-value or non-commercial shipments, simplified regimes exist, with value and quantity limits that should be verified in the current regulations, as they are updated with some frequency.
A common mistake: buying and shipping before having the RUC enabled as an importer. The merchandise arrives, sits in storage, and storage costs accumulate while the situation is regularized.
What documents does Customs require in practice?
The base is usually: commercial invoice, transport document (air or ocean B/L), packing list, and the customs declaration submitted by a licensed customs broker. Depending on the product, sanitary, phytosanitary, or origin certificates or specific registrations with INAN, SENACSA, or the Ministry of Health are added.
Important nuance: not all products require the same. A batch of spare parts does not carry the same permits as food, cosmetics, or medicines. Generalizing here leads to rejections at the border.
Can I clear my own import?
Customs clearance is carried out by a registered customs broker. The importer can handle prior procedures, but the submission of the declaration is the responsibility of the licensed professional. Hiring a broker is not a superfluous expense: it is the person who knows the correct classification and avoids observations.
How are import taxes calculated?
The starting point is the CIF value (merchandise + freight + insurance). On that base, the import duty is applied according to the tariff heading, and then VAT and other internal levies when applicable. The rate varies widely: there are products with low tariffs and others with high protection.
Here a real limitation appears: there is no single, definitive calculator. Tariff classification depends on the technical description of the product, and two similar items can fall under different headings with different rates.
How long does an import take?
It depends on the route. An express air shipment can be resolved in days; a complete ocean import, with prior procedures and inland transport, is usually measured in weeks. The most common delays do not come from customs but from incomplete supplier documentation or certificates requested late.
What happens if the product requires prior registration?
There are categories that cannot be imported without prior registration or authorization: food, supplements, cosmetics, medical devices, veterinary products, or plant material. If the registration has not been processed, the merchandise is not released. This is probably the point where most novice importers lose money.
Is it profitable to import in small quantities?
Not always. When freight, insurance, broker, storage, and inland transport are added up, fixed costs weigh heavily on small volumes. Importing ten units can cost more per unit than buying locally. The calculation must be made with the total landed cost, not with the supplier’s price.
A concrete case that illustrates the problem
An importer bought electronic accessories and described them on the invoice as «accessories.» At customs, that generic description made it impossible to assign the tariff heading with precision, generated an observation, and forced the declaration to be redone with complementary technical documentation. The cost was not the tariff: it was the time and the storage. Lesson: the commercial invoice must describe the product with technical detail, model, and use.
What should be verified before buying
- Active RUC and enabled importer status.
- Probable tariff heading of the product and applicable tariff.
- Whether the product requires prior registration or certificate.
- Incoterm agreed with the supplier and who assumes insurance.
- Broker hired and estimated costs in writing.
According to official Customs documentation, regulations and simplified regimes are updated periodically; each requirement should be confirmed with the broker or the corresponding institution before shipping. No guide replaces that case-by-case verification.
