International · PE

How to Ship to Peru from the US

Peru is a growing South American economy with a large urban population in Lima and expanding ecommerce activity. US goods — particularly electronics, clothing, supplements, and specialty food — are popular. Peru has a free trade agreement with the US (in effect since 2009), which reduces or eliminates many tariffs on US-origin goods, making Peru a friendlier destination than some neighbors.

Peruvian VAT (IGV) is 18% on most goods. The US-Peru FTA has phased out most tariffs on US-origin products. Peru's de minimis threshold is $200 USD — packages below this value may be exempt from duties. Above $200, duties (often 0% for FTA-qualifying goods) plus 18% VAT apply. Serpost (Peru Post) handles USPS final-mile deliveries; courier services are more reliable.

Typical 1 lb cost

$22-$42 USD

Typical transit

6-14 business days

Carrier Options to Peru

USPS Priority Mail International

8-14 business days. Final delivery by Serpost. Variable reliability.

DHL Express Worldwide

3-5 business days. Best option for Peru. Strong Lima coverage.

FedEx International Priority

3-5 business days. Reliable for Lima and major Peruvian cities.

UPS Worldwide Expedited

4-6 business days. Good for commercial shipments to Lima.

Customs Forms Required

CN22 for items under $400 USD. CN23 + commercial invoice for items over $400. Certificate of origin useful for claiming US-Peru FTA duty rates.

Commonly Prohibited Items

  • ✕Narcotics and controlled substances
  • ✕Firearms and weapons without Peruvian SUCAMEC authorization
  • ✕Counterfeit goods
  • ✕Certain food products without SENASA permits
  • ✕Live plants and soil without phytosanitary certificates
  • ✕Pre-Columbian cultural artifacts (strict Peruvian heritage law)

Peru-Specific Shipping Tips

  • 💡 De minimis is $200 USD — packages under this value may clear without duties
  • 💡 US-Peru FTA covers most US-origin goods at 0% duty — include certificate of origin
  • 💡 Peruvian postal codes are 5 digits (Lima uses codes like 15001 for Lima 1)
  • 💡 Use DHL or FedEx — Serpost reliability is inconsistent for international packages
  • 💡 Pre-Columbian artifacts or reproductions may be flagged by customs — include documentation that items are modern reproductions

Frequently asked questions

How long does shipping to Peru take?
USPS Priority Mail International: 8-14 business days via Serpost. DHL/FedEx/UPS: 3-6 business days. Lima customs clearance is typically 1-3 business days for properly documented packages.
Does the US-Peru FTA reduce import duties?
Yes. The US-Peru FTA (since 2009) eliminated most tariffs on qualifying US-origin goods. Include a certificate of origin to claim these rates. Peruvian VAT (18%) still applies to all imports.
What is Peru's duty-free threshold?
Packages valued under $200 USD may be exempt from import duties in Peru. Above $200, tariffs (usually 0% for US-origin goods under FTA) plus 18% IGV (VAT) apply.
Can I ship to areas outside Lima?
Yes, but cities like Cusco, Arequipa, and Trujillo add 1-4 business days. Remote jungle and mountain areas (Loreto, Puno) may take significantly longer. DHL and FedEx have the best coverage outside Lima.
Can I ship cultural items to Peru?
Be careful with anything that could appear to be a Peruvian cultural artifact. Peru has strict laws protecting pre-Columbian heritage. Modern reproductions are fine but should be clearly labeled as such. Never ship authentic ancient artifacts out of or into Peru without government authorization.

Other International Destinations

ET
Ethiopia
TZ
Tanzania
BS
The Bahamas
TT
Trinidad and Tobago
SV
El Salvador
HN
Honduras

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