Market guide · Panama

Import Chinese Cars to Panama

Panama has ports on both sides of the Canal and is one of the busiest vehicle-handling hubs in the region. We have completed deals with buyers in Panama. This guide covers the ports, the tax rules that favour electric cars and what to confirm before ordering.

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At a glance

  • Ports

    Colón side (Manzanillo International Terminal, Colón Container Terminal, Cristóbal) and Balboa on the Pacific[2]

  • Electric cars

    Selective consumption tax: 0% until 31 December 2030, then 5%[1]

  • Hybrids

    Selective consumption tax on hybrid cars: 10%[1]

  • Registration

    Right-hand traffic; confirm registration of your vehicle type with the ATTT[3]

Ports of entry and shipping from China

According to Panama Maritime Authority figures reported in September 2026, Panamanian ports handled 110,409 vehicles between January and August 2026, most of them at Manzanillo International Terminal (MIT) in Colón (about 70,900) and at Balboa on the Pacific side (about 39,500)[2]. Balboa and Cristóbal have been run by transitional operators since early 2026, after the Supreme Court annulled the previous concession, and about 89% of container activity is transshipment[2].

Vehicles from China can arrive by RoRo or container on the Pacific (Balboa) or Atlantic (Colón) side. Which side suits you depends on where the vehicles will be registered or sold; tell us the port your broker prefers and we quote accordingly.

Chinese-market vehicles are left-hand drive and electric models use the GB/T charging standard; check charging equipment and adapters for your market.

Import rules to check

  • Electric cars: Law 295 of 2022 set the selective consumption tax (ISC) on electric passenger vehicles (tariff heading 87.03) at 0% until 31 December 2030 and 5% from 1 January 2031[1].
  • Hybrids: the same law sets the ISC on hybrid passenger vehicles at 10%[1]. Other import taxes and fees still apply, and your customs broker can calculate the total landed cost.
  • Plates: the law instructs municipalities to exempt new electric vehicles from plate fees for five years from the date of purchase[1].
  • Steering and registration: Panama drives on the right[3] and Chinese-market vehicles are left-hand drive. Confirm the registration requirements for your vehicle type with the ATTT (Autoridad del Tránsito y Transporte Terrestre) or your broker before ordering.

Rules and tax rates change. Buyers should confirm the current rules with their customs broker before ordering. Import clearance, duties and registration are handled by the buyer or the buyer’s broker.

Inventory

Vehicles to consider for Panama

Electric cars carry the lowest selective consumption tax until 2030. These EVs and hybrids are from our current inventory.

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Prices are USD reference prices from our database, subject to real-time availability and final confirmation in your written quotation.

How ordering works

Planning an order for Panama? Send the models, quantity and the port you prefer (Colón or Balboa). We reply with a written FOB or CIF quote.

Payment: T/T bank transfer, 20% deposit and the 80% balance when the vehicles arrive at the Chinese port, before export shipment. Minimum order: one shipping container per order.

Prices, Incoterm and shipping option are confirmed in writing before you pay anything. How to Buy · FAQ

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Sources

Public sources checked on 28 September 2026. This guide is general information, not legal or customs advice.

  1. Ley 295 de 2022, Gaceta Oficial 29523-A (PDF)
  2. Infobae (15 Sept. 2026): Panama port and vehicle traffic, January–August 2026
  3. Left- and right-hand traffic by country (reference)

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Custom sourcing

Looking for a model that is not listed?

Send the brand, model, trim, quantity and destination port. We check availability in China and reply with a written quotation — or tell you clearly if we cannot source it.

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