What documents you need to import into Panama

Commercial invoice

It must reflect the real transaction: who sells, who buys, what goods, how many and at what value. The most common error is an overly generic description. "Spare parts" says nothing; "hydraulic pump spare parts, model X" does.

Packing list

It details how the goods are distributed: how many pieces, what each contains, weight and dimensions. It must match the invoice. If the invoice says 200 units and the packing list adds up to 198, clearance stops until it is resolved.

Transport document

The ocean bill of lading (BL) or the air waybill (AWB). It is the title to the cargo and must be consigned correctly. An error in the consignee's name or tax ID means corrections, time and sometimes a carrier fee.

Certificate of origin

It is not always mandatory, but when a trade agreement reduces the tariff, this is what allows that benefit to be applied. It is worth asking your supplier whether they can issue it before the cargo ships: obtaining it afterwards is much harder.

The costliest mistake

Shipping before reviewing the documents. Correcting a BL with the cargo already on board is expensive and slow. Reviewing it before sailing costs one email. On every operation we coordinate, we review the documentation before departure for exactly this reason.