Overview

The border crossings in general have an average performance, there are difficulties inasmuch for tourists, as for cargo transport.  Each state institution manages their installations as per their capacities, there is no overall general administrator of the infrastructure. 

In Paso Canoas, the access road from Costa Rica lacks parking spaces and the presence of street vendors causes long queues.  In Guabito, there are limitations in the physical space available for the inspection of merchandise and vehicles at the entry and exit of the country. In addition, there are no areas for luggage inspection nor scanners.  

Paso Canoas

Daily Capacity 

Inflow is constant, during holidays tourists entering/exiting increases, cargo in less quantities.  Lanes are distributed in 6 lanes: 2 exit lanes for cargo and 1 for tourism; two (2) entry lanes for cargo and one (1) for tourism.  Cargo volume entering surpasses 2,000 vehicles monthly, while cargo volume departing surpasses 1,200 vehicles monthly.  As to tourism, such transcends to 700 vehicles a month during peak season, whereas their departure does not outstrip 500 vehicles a month.

Customs Clearance

The entity that regulates the establishment and compliance with of customs requirements is the National Customs Authority. General rates are placed by merchandise and bulks. 

For customs clearance of merchandise destined for commerce the following is required:

• Merchandise Declaration Form (DM, in Spanish)
• Central American Single Declaration Form(DUCA, in Spanish)
• Non-Nationalized Goods Transfer Form (TI TT, in Spanish)
• And that established in article 321 of the Central American Uniform Customs Code and its Regulations (RECAUCA, in Spanish).

In case of urgent shipments (for humanitarian aid), the clearance procedure to be applied shall be that established in the Article 556 of the RECAUCA, and will be dispatched through simple and expedite procedures, in coordination with the competent authorities.  Whenever relief shipments arrive consigned to entities of social interest, of charity, non-governmental organizations, associations and/or foundations of public interest, introduction of the merchandise will be authorized, as long as the bill of lading is endorsed to the government entity in charge of channeling the aid/help. 

Restrictions apply in cases where goods require a special treatment or approval by an institution other than Customs, whenever the bill of lading is incomplete or whenever a delay in procedure is encountered by the customs assistant.  For border crossing through Central America, the Single Declaration Form (DUCA) and its supporting documents are required: cargo manifest, waybill and invoices.

For more information on customs in Panamá, please see the following link: 1.3 Customs Information.

Relevant Additional Information

In addition to Customs procedures, whenever applicable, cargo and vehicles must also meet the requirements of other institutions, such as: the National Immigration Service, the Transportation Authority, the Judicial Investigative Directorate and the Health Ministry.  

The requirements to pass vehicle control are the following:

• Copy of Passport or Citizenship I.D. Card
• Vehicle Title  
• Vehicle Insurance
  • If the vehicle is not yours, you must provide a Power of Attorney.

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List.

Guabito

Daily Capacity

The inflow is of approximately 60 to 80 vehicles per day, with a sole entrance/exit lane (temporary measure while the Binational Bridge over the Sixaola River is under construction. The bridge is at its final stages of construction, scheduled to be delivered during the first half of 2020). Inbound traffic is approximately between 45 to 60 vehicles on average, whereas outbound traffic is at 15 to 20 vehicles.

Customs Clearance

There are no restrictions, except the non-compliance of documentation required by Customs, previously cited under Section 2.3.1.1 Paso Canoas. The documents required to dispatch goods are:

• Central American Single Declaration Form (DUCA, in Spanish)
• Statement and supporting documents (Declared value for carriage, consignment note, Cargo Manifest, DUCA F, Invoice, payment slip.

Once completed the project of the binational bridge over the Sixaola River, the compound will have two exit and two entry lanes, in addition to platforms and pedestrian ramps for travelers.  

For more information on customs in Panamá, please see the following link: 1.3 Customs Information. 

Relevant Additional Information

Currently there is a need to increase the operational capacity to receive three times more cargo than the volume handled currently.   One of the main clients, will shift from entering 90 to 100 containers a month to 300 containers, in addition to other types of cargo.   

 For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List.

Overview

Panama limits to the east with the Republic of Colombia, and does not have an established legal border crossing to manage conventional cargo.  Nonetheless, the Quarantine Directorate of the Ministry of Agricultural Development has several control and monitoring checkpoints throughout the border sector of the Province of Panama with the Province of Darien, in order to determine the phyto- and zoo-sanitary measures of the livestock and others transiting through the area.

It’s worth mentioning that the stretch of jungle between Panama and Colombia is known as “El Tapón del Darien”, typically known for its great immigrant activity as well as great risks for emigrants due to the lack of drinking  water, exposure to the natural elements,  abuse, theft and exploitation. During 2019, people that crossed Darien, belonged to more than 50 different nationalities, the majority were heading towards the United States or Canada.