Importing Furniture to Panama: What the $25,000 Exemption Really Covers

Importing furniture to Panama under the household-goods exemption: what it covers, what it doesn't, and when to build locally instead.

Many people relocating to Panama hear about the household-goods import exemption, often cited around a US$25,000 value, and assume shipping their furniture is the obvious move. Sometimes it is. Often, once you weigh the full picture, commissioning locally is the smarter path. Here is an honest look, without the sales spin.

What the exemption does and doesn't cover

The exemption can reduce duties on used household goods brought in under a relocation, within limits and conditions that change, so verify the current rules with a licensed customs broker or the authorities. What it does not remove: ocean freight, insurance, local transport, crating, and the risk of damage or humidity in transit. Furniture built for a dry climate can also struggle once it arrives in the tropics.

Ship the heirlooms, commission the rest

A sensible middle path: ship the pieces with real sentimental or heirloom value, and commission the rest locally, sized to your new home and built for Panama's climate. That way you avoid freight on bulky items, sidestep climate mismatch, and skip the reseller margin. From our workroom to your home, with no middleman.