Paraguay Customs and Couriers: Choose Wisely & Save Money

Before you get that exciting “Your Order Has Shipped!” email. There are a few things to take into concideration before you place your order. You first need to understand Paraguay customs and couriers. Choosing the right Paraguay courier and navigating customs impacts cost and delivery ease for expats and digital nomads.

International shipping to Paraguay, and specifically when going through Paraguayan customs, can be complex if you lack information. This guide helps expats and digital nomads make informed decisions about Paraguay customs and Paraguay couriers in Asuncion for your shipments. Learn the best options for Paraguayan couriers so that your delivery is fast and cost-efficient.

We’ll cover major international couriers (DHL, FedEx, UPS) and local Paraguayan couriers (Saspy, SendIt, Globalbox) for your shipments. Ship smarter to Paraguay by understanding your Paraguay courier and Paraguay customs choices.

Part 1: Standard Couriers (DHL, FedEx, UPS) & Paraguay Customs: Expat Shipment Guide

A. Standard Couriers & Paraguay Customs for Personal Shipments

DHL, FedEx, and UPS are global couriers used for Paraguay shipments. When shipping to Paraguay, understand their service within Paraguay customs, especially for personal goods.

While offering door-to-door courier service, their customs assistance for personal shipments in Paraguay may be less comprehensive than expected. Paraguay customs procedures should be considered.

Their strength is reliable international transport for international shipments. However, Paraguay customs clearance can have unique aspects. Their active management of complex customs issues for standard personal goods shipments might be limited. Set realistic expectations when using these couriers for Paraguay shipments.

B. Essential Documents for Paraguay Customs Clearance

Regardless of courier, proper documents are crucial for Paraguay customs. For DHL, FedEx, or UPS personal goods shipments to Paraguay, correct paperwork is essential for Paraguay customs.

Documents are prerequisites for Paraguay customs, not guarantees of effortless clearance for shipments.

• Commercial Invoice: Required by Paraguay customs, even for “personal effects.” Declare contents and value for your shipment.
• Bill of Lading/Air Waybill: Confirms transport, needed for tracking shipments by couriers and customs.
• Packing List: Helps customs understand shipment contents.
• Certificate of Origin: May be needed for specific items by customs.
• Identification: Cédula or passport for Paraguay customs.

Certification & Stamping: Paraguay Customs Formalities: These are Paraguayan customs requirements, but don’t guarantee smooth customs, especially with standard couriers for personal goods shipments to Paraguay.

Power of Attorney: Usually Not Needed: Typically not required for transport by couriers like DHL, FedEx, UPS for shipments. However, it doesn’t guarantee full customs support.

C. Paraguay Import Taxes & Fees: Impact on Your Shipment Cost

Understand Paraguayan import taxes for shipping to Paraguay, especially with standard couriers. You may need to engage with the tax structure for your shipment.

Basic customs fees, import duties, VAT, CIF valuation, and no de minimis threshold apply in customs. These affect your shipment cost. Budget accordingly when shipping to Paraguay.

Cost of Paraguay Shipments: Fees and taxes plus CIF valuation can significantly increase shipment costs. Consider this when using standard couriers.

Customs Brokerage for Paraguay Customs: Standard couriers offer basic presentation to customs but limited in-depth brokerage. Complex customs issues may require a separate broker, adding expense to your shipment.

D. Standard Courier Process & Paraguay Customs: Expat Involvement

Standard courier process for shipments to Paraguay requires potential expat involvement with customs, especially for goods:

1. Arrival Notification: Package arrives in Paraguay, undergoing customs.
2. Document Submission: Provide documents to customs.
3. Customs Assessment: Paraguay customs assesses duties/taxes.
4. Payment: Pay duties, taxes, Paraguay courier fees for your shipment.
5. Delivery: After customs clearance and payment.
6. Potential Delays: Paraguay customs delays can occur, leading to fees for shipments.

Customs Assistance Level: Clarify courier’s customs assistance beyond basic transport for your shipment. Understand service limits for customs.

E. Practical Tips for Standard Couriers & Shipments

For DHL, FedEx, or UPS shipments to Paraguay, make informed choices regarding customs and couriers.

Practical tips for Paraguay shipments:

• Accurate Documents for Customs: Ensure complete, correct paperwork for customs.
• Prepare for Paraguay Customs Engagement: Be ready to engage with customs if needed.
• Clarify Courier Customs Assistance: Ask about courier’s customs services for your Paraguay shipment.
• Budget for All Costs: Include all customs fees and courier charges.
• Consider Alternatives: For budget shipments, explore alternative couriers.

Summary: Standard couriers offer reliable transport to Paraguay for shipments. However, it is best to understand whether there will be assistance with Paraguayan customs. Be informed about costs and services before you arrange shipping.

Part 2: Exploring Alternative Paraguay Couriers (Saspy, SendIt, Globalbox) for Expat Shipments: Deeper Dive

A. Alternative Couriers & Paraguay Customs: More Choices for Streamlined Expat Shipments

Beyond standard giants, Paraguay offers excellent alternative Paraguay couriers. Saspy, SendIt, and Globalbox provide diverse, appealing models for expat Paraguay shipments, especially for personal goods and online shopping, often simplifying customs processes.

B. Saspy Express: Lockers, Speed, and USA/China/Europe Shipping

Saspy Express is a Paraguay courier known for its speed and unique locker delivery system, offering international shipping from the USA, China, and Europe, and handling Paraguay customs. Their locker system is particularly convenient for flexible pickups around Asuncion.

• Pricing: From the USA, around $21.50-$22.50 USD to Saspy Lockers (Asunción/Greater Asunción vs. Interior). Weight-based pricing from other origins may vary. Note: Products over $100 USD or special categories may have extra tariffs. Insurance is available at 3.5% of declared value. This relatively fixed pricing from the USA to lockers can offer predictable costs for Paraguay shipments.
• Shipping Origins: USA (Miami), China (Guangzhou), Europe (Madrid, Spain). Saspy Express covers key regions for expat online shopping and personal shipments to Paraguay.
• Speed: Estimated delivery time of 24-72 hours (after arrival in Paraguay, subject to locker availability) is very fast, ideal for urgent Paraguay shipments.
• Services: Courier service for online purchases, consolidation, deconsolidation, customs clearance, air/sea/land cargo options (for larger shipments), and even a “Traveler Service” for US pickups. Saspy Express offers a comprehensive suite of shipping options for various expat needs in Paraguay.
• Delivery Options: Saspy Lockers (convenient self-service pickup at numerous locations), office pickup, or home delivery, providing flexibility for receiving Paraguay shipments.
• Key Features: Free registration, physical addresses in USA/Europe/China, website and mobile app tracking, multiple branches (14+ in Paraguay), smart lockers, and inspection of incoming packages for security. The smart locker network is a standout feature for convenient package retrieval in Paraguay.

Ideal for Saspy Express: Expats and digital nomads prioritizing speed and convenience, especially for smaller to medium-sized online purchases from the USA, China, or Europe. The Saspy Locker network offers a unique and flexible delivery solution in Paraguay. Those valuing predictable pricing for USA shipments to lockers will also find Saspy appealing.

C. SendIt: Weight-Based Pricing, Premium Membership, and Wide Origin Network

SendIt is another popular Paraguay courier, focusing on weight-based pricing and a broad network of shipping origins, including the USA, China, Spain, and importantly, regional South American countries like Argentina and Brazil. They also handle Paraguay customs clearance and offer a Premium membership for added benefits.

• Pricing: $21.90 USD/kg for air shipping from the USA to Asuncion Pricing is weight and or volumetric weight-based and this $21.90 USD/kg rate from the USA provides a more concrete base for comparison A key feature remains their All-Inclusive Plan tariff and a Premium membership $2.99/month provides a $2 USD/kg discount on top of this base rate bringing the effective price down to 19.90 USD/kg for Premium members from the USA Carefully consider the weight and dimensions of your typical shipments and whether the Premium membership’s discount and other perks justify the monthly fee Pricing from origins other than the USA will vary.
• Shipping Origins: Extensive origin network: USA, China, Argentina, Peru, Panama, Brazil, and Spain (currently in the process of moving). SendIt stands out for offering shipping from South American countries, which can be advantageous for expats needing to ship items from within the region to Paraguay.
• Speed: Air cargo typically arrives within 72 hours (from the USA). Maritime cargo (sea freight) is also offered, taking 60-90 days for larger, less urgent Paraguay shipments.
• Services: Package forwarding, consolidation, customs clearance, shopping assistance (if you need help purchasing items online), maritime shipping (for bulky items), and automatic insurance (up to $100 USD standard, $300 USD with Premium). SendIt provides a wider range of services, including shopping assistance and sea freight, catering to diverse expat needs.
• Membership: Free registration, but a SendIt Premium membership ($2.99/month) offers significant benefits: $2/kg discount, free premium delivery in Asunción, higher automatic insurance, and priority processing. Frequent shippers should evaluate the Premium membership for potential cost savings and enhanced service.
• Key Features: Free registration, mobile app tracking, 14 branches across Paraguay, online payments, constant status notifications, free standard delivery in Asunción, option for extra insurance, and processes packages under $100 USD as personal shipments. The branch network and mobile app provide convenient access and tracking for Paraguay shipments.

Ideal for SendIt: Expats and digital nomads who want a wide selection of shipping origins, including South American countries. With a base rate of $21.90/kg from the USA (and even lower with Premium membership), SendIt offers very competitive pricing. Expats who anticipate frequent shipments, especially within Asunción, should strongly consider the Premium membership for its discounts and free delivery. SendIt’s shopping assistance and maritime shipping options also cater to a broader range of expat needs for Paraguay shipments.

C. Globalbox: Broader Services for Larger Paraguay Expat Shipments

Globalbox is a Paraguayan courier specializing in shipping from the USA, established in 2011 with a strong Miami presence. They offer membership benefits, air and sea freight, and handle Paraguay customs, catering to both personal and commercial Paraguay shipments with a USA-centric approach.

• Pricing: USA to Asunción is around $21.50 USD/kg for GlobalPass members, $22.50 USD/kg to Ciudad del Este/Encarnación (members), and $23.50 USD/kg at the regular rate. GlobalPass membership unlocks better rates for USA air shipments. Weight-based pricing from the USA provides cost clarity.
• Shipping Origins: Primarily focused on the USA (Miami office), making them a strong choice for expats heavily reliant on US online shopping or shipments from the USA. Also offers shipping from Spain and Argentina, expanding origin options beyond the USA.
• Speed: Air shipments typically arrive within 24-72 hours, providing fast delivery for urgent Paraguay shipments. Maritime shipping (sea freight) is available for larger items with a 45-day transit time, suitable for less time-sensitive, bulky Paraguay shipments.
• Membership: GlobalPass membership offers exclusive rates from the USA, express delivery, extended customer service, priority handling, points accumulation, and higher insurance ($1,000 USD vs. $500 USD regular). The GlobalPass membership provides significant value for frequent shippers from the USA.
• Services: Air freight (door-to-door from USA), sea freight (worldwide origins, consolidated options), customs clearance (air/sea/land), multimodal transport, returns assistance, and international shipping worldwide. Globalbox offers a comprehensive suite of services for diverse shipping needs, including commercial cargo and returns.
• Key Features: Free Miami address upon registration, mobile app tracking, multiple branches in Paraguay, insurance options, consolidation, special services for commercial shipments, shopping assistance (Amazon, eBay, Walmart), and quotations for sea freight within 48 hours. Their long-standing Miami presence (since 2011) and shopping assistance are notable features. complex Paraguay shipping and Paraguay customs needs.

Ideal for Globalbox: Expats and digital nomads who primarily ship from the USA, especially if they value membership perks and predictable USD/kg pricing for air shipments. Those needing air and sea freight options, shopping assistance from US e-commerce sites, and a courier with a long-established USA operation will find Globalbox well-suited for their Paraguay shipments.

D. Comparing Paraguay Courier Options for Expat Shipping

Choose your Paraguay courier based on your needs for Paraguay shipments. Here’s a comparison for expats shipping to Paraguay:

Key Takeaway: Best courier depends on your needs for shipments. Standard international couriers offer speed, alternative Paraguayan couriers offer cost savings and simpler Paraguay customs.

Conclusion: Informed Paraguay Shipping Choices for Expats

Understand Paraguayan customs and Paraguayan couriers for shipments to Paraguay. Informed choices optimize cost and for easy shipments.

Key points on Paraguay customs & couriers:

• Standard international couriers: Reliable transport, but potentially limited Paraguay customs assistance for goods.
• Alternative Paraguayan couriers: Consolidated, customs-inclusive shipments, cheaper options.
• Courier choice: Depends on shipment, urgency, cost, customs assistance needs for shipping to Paraguay.

Make the best shipping decisions for Paraguay!

Share your Paraguay customs & courier experiences below! Help other expats with tips and recommendations for Paraguay shipments!