How to Export to Paraguay

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Import Regs.: Documentation


The Ministry of Finance, through the National Customs Directorate, is the institution responsible for administering import procedures. These procedures are codified in the Customs Code, Law No. 2.422 of 5 July 2004, which was regulated by Decree No. 4.672/05 that entered into force on 11 January 2005 and replaced the previous Code (Law No. 1.173/85). The new Customs Code includes the requirement that all importers register with the National Customs Directorate. This requirement was previously contained in Resolution No. 239/00. Importers that have registered their companies through the SOFIA computerized system are exempted from this requirement. Resolution No. 1/02 of 7 January 2002. In order to register, importing companies must be entered in the trade register with a business registration certificate (MatrÃcula de Comerciante). There are simplified procedures for imports effected under the maquila or other special regimes.

DGA Resolution #444 of October 19, 2006 allows for photocopies of import documents to be presented to Paraguayan customs provided that these copies are authenticated.

Additional documentary requirements are spelled-out below:

A packing list (an original packing list must be presented -- See Customs Circular #6 of February 2, 2004 for requirement).

In addition, specific products are subject to other documentation requirements, as follows:

Registration requirements for importers and imported products:

Products

Entity

Period

Legal basis
Food products and beverages

MSPBS

5 years

Law No. 836 of 15 December 1980 (Health Code), as amended by Law No. 115 of 4 January 1991
Sugar (HS 1701)

MIC

Annual

Resolution No. 251/02 of 9 January 2002
Substances that deplete the ozone layer

MAG

Annual

Decree No. 3.980 of 6 July 1999
Mate [Hierba mate]

MIC

Annual

Decree No. 17.595/02 of 17 June 2002
Medicines, proprietary pharmaceuticals phytotherapeutic and homeopathic)

MSPBS

5 years

Law No. 1.119 of 21 August 1997; Decree No. 7.442/00
Hygiene products for domestic use and cosmetics

MSPBS

5 years

Law No. 836 of 15 December 1980 (Health Code), as amended by Law No. 115 of 4 January 1991
Toxic or dangerous substances of the type used in domestic sanitary products (Risk 1)

MAG

Once

Law No. 836 of 15 December 1980 (Health Code), as amended by Law No. 115 of 4 January 1991
Agri-chemicals (pesticides, fertilizers and related substances)

SENAVE

Once

Law No. 123/91; MAG Resolution No. 1.000/94
Lubricant oils and fats for automotive and industrial uses

MIC

Annual

Resolution No. 87 of 18 March 2002
Petroleum by-products

MIC

Once for each import

Decree No. 10.911 of 25 of October 2000
Raw materials or machinery to produce compact disks, as well as audiovisual materials and software

RISMOMPP, at the MIC

Annual

Decree No. 1.175 of 27 January 1999, as amended by Decrees No. 10.106/00 of 22 August 2000 and No. 603/2003 of 20 October 2003
Medical, odontological and laboratory instruments, equipment and devices

MSPBS

5 years

Law No. 836 of 15 December 1980, as amended by Law No. 115 of 4 January 1991
Cement

MIC

Annual

Decree No. 18.352/02 of 26 August 2002
Used vehicles

MIC

Annual

Decree No. 17.554 of 17 June 2002
Source: WTO

Note: MAG Ò Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock; MIC Ò Ministry of Industry and Trade; MSPBS Ò Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare; RISMOMPP Ò Register of Importers of Magnetic and Optic Media and Raw Materials for their Production; SENAVE Ò National Plant and Seed Quality and Health Service.

Customs clearance requires the intervention of a customs broker who is authorized to make payments of customs duties and other charges. Article 22 of Law No. 2.422. Customs clearance requires the presentation of a bill of entry or arrival declaration, supplemented by the commercial invoice, the bill of lading, the airway bill (or air consignment note), the declaration of value, together with special documents according to the type of goods, and the certificate of origin where necessary. MERCOSUR Decision No. 16/94; Article 79 of Law No. 2.422/04. Since 2001, a value declaration has been required for all imports with a value above US$500. Decree No. 13.721/01.

Goods covered by tariff preferences require a certificate of origin in order to receive preferential treatment (see section 2 (iv)(d)). The requirements for products subject to sanitary, safety or other controls include, inter alia, prior authorizations, sanitary, phytosanitary or health certificates (section (2)(iv) and (viii)).

* Other documents that may be required, depending on the products imported, are the following:
Documentation

Subject to:

Note
Import authorization

Brand products for which provisional authorization has been obtained by a representative in the country
- Precautionary measures
- From the Attorney GeneralÌs Department
RUA
(single automotive register) registration certificate

Importers using the special inward clearance regime for vehicles in an irregular situation

Aeronautical certificate

Products placed on the list of exceptions for the aeronautical sector
From the National Directorate of
Civil Aeronautics
Taxi federation certificate

Vehicles to be used as taxis
From the Association of Paraguayan Taxi Drivers
CNEA (National Atomic Energy Commission) certificate

Radioactive products

DINAR (National Directorate of Narcotics) authorization

Products controlled by
the anti-narcotics law
(such as chemical precursors)

DIMABEL (Directorate of War Materials) authorization

Firearms, munitions, explosives and the like
Resolution No. 143 of 17 June 1993
SEAM (Environmental Secretariat) certificate

Goods containing substances that could harm the environment
Documents required by the SOFIA computer system


In 2001, a document entitled "Despacho de Importaciones Menores" was introduced for the customs clearance of small imports (up to US$2,500 f.o.b.). Under the regime, only commercial invoices are required by the National Customs Directorate as proof of purchase. However, when other institutions are involved, other types of documents may be required, such as sanitary and phytosanitary certificates or certificates of origin for goods to which tariff preferences apply. Importers of agricultural and horticultural products (with the exception of potatoes, onions, pears, peppers, garlic, plums, apples, peaches and nectarines, in their different plant varieties) are not eligible for this regime. Decree No. 13.749/01 of 6 June 2001, as amended by Decree No. 16.675/02 of 14 March 2002.