Shipping to and from Panama

Mandatory for Customs

6 digits HS CODE is mandatory for all import and transhipment cargo.

Electronic Release

• For document release status please click here.

For all imports the release of the cargo must be done through the electronic release platform as it follows:

• Login with your username and password to the platform www.liberacionesmaersk.com If you do not have a user, please send the request to the following email pa.import@maersk.com.
• Check / ACH / Deposit slip must be attached on the electronic platform.
• Must have the Bill of Lading Original or Sea Waybill COPY to present at the terminal after container is released in the platform.
• Detention & Demurrage Payment, Prepaid Charges (freight): Bank account number: 0550381087- Citi Bank - Maersk Panama, S.A.
• Payments for replacement of Delivery Order, Lost stamps, Return of empty unused equipment: Bank account number: 0550381052- Citi Bank- Maersk Panama, S.A.

Documentation and Customs requirements

• All inquiries related to the customs manifesto, updating indicators and changes in the SIGA should be addressed to pa.import@maersk.com. Also, you can contact our SIGA team at the following number for further details: +507 838-8747 option 4
• To see import document formats click here.

Customs and quarantine requirements

• Customer must present one original bill of lading.
• Commercial invoice
• Customer must present a customs clearance document (liquidacion de aduana),for Colon Free Zone delivery free zone document duly completed.
• Import zoosanitary or phitosanitary and origin certificates for unprocessed animal and vegetal product.

Freight collect approval

For dry containers, charges are accepted without previous notification. For reefer, hazardous, OOG, B/B, personal effects containers are subject to pre-approval, which must be obtained before loading.

Special cargoes 

OOG, B/B and IMO cargo are subject to standard Maersk Line approval procedures. 

Types of BLs

Negotiable Bill of Lading (Original Bill of Lading):

1. This BL can be printed and send by shipper via courier from origin
2. Shipper can request Telex Release order
3. Original BL printing can be assigned by shipper from origin for consignee to be able to print at Panama

Please note this BL can be endorsed
Non Negotiable Sea Waybill
Consignee requires a copy or certified true copy of this BL to seal the release. If you require a freighted or not freighted copy of this BL, you may kindly send an email to pa.import@maersk.com to request the copy.

Necessary Documentation for Release

1. Official letter of authorization stating responsible person to withdraw release at the counters on behalf of the company
2. Check or deposit slip paying the import charges
3. BL originals or Sea Waybill copy
4. All documents must be submitted by the customer at the liberacionesmaersk.com website with their own user and password, please contact pa.import@maersk.com in case you need any assistance with this tool.

Necessary Documentation to retrieve transport orders

1. Booking confirmation
2. Official letter containing the responsible person to retrieve the documentation on behalf of company (Name, ID, Trucking Company Name, Plate)
3. ID or passport copy of the person signing the official letter

Email Adresses for Customer Service Panama

For your convenience and in the means to improve our response time, we kindly remind you the email adresses we have for each areas in a shipment.

In For inland service coordination (Store Door)

Please contact: pa.import@maersk.com

• Road Weight Limitation in Panama: 31,900 Kg (GROSS WEIGHT) for 20', 40' and 45'units. For units that exceed this weight, a fine will be received from Local Transit Authority according to local laws. 
• Not acceptable in PABLB, PAMAN IMO CLASS 1.1/1.2/5.1 (UNNO 1490)/7
• Weight Restrictions. Before leaving the port facilities, containers are weighed in order to establish conformance with the overall weight restriction norm 37,000 Kgs. Weight restriction is determined for overall weight put on road surface, meaning: weight truck + weight truck driver + tare chassis + tare chassis/flatbed + weight genset + weight container + weight cargo, which must not exceed 37,000 kgs (81,400 lbs).

Authorities grant a 5% tolerance. However, the distribution of the cargo inside the container is also a determining factor, as, in addition per-axle limitations exist and are enforced.