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Car shipping from USA to Panama

Ship a Car to Panama from the USA

Ship your car to Panama with a trusted US-based international shipper. Since 2007, West Coast Shipping has transported tens of thousands of cars, SUVs, and trucks to Panama from every US state, including vehicles from auctions, dealers, and private sellers.

Save on car shipping to Panama with our weekly consolidated container service from California, Florida, and New Jersey. Get instant car shipping rates to Cristobal, Panama with our online calculator.

Shipping multiple vehicles to Panama each month? Request wholesale container rates below.

Calculate Your Car Shipping Rate to Panama

West Coast Shipping

Why Choose West Coast Shipping for Car Shipping to Panama

With over 17 years of experience in car shipping from the USA to Panama, we’ve helped thousands of customers move their vehicles safely and on time. Our comprehensive door-to-door car shipping service to Panama includes:

  • Expert car shipping to Panama with certified asbestos testing included
  • Weekly container consolidation that can cut shipping costs to Panama by up to 50%
  • Complete ROVER system setup and full customs-clearance documentation handling
  • Nationwide vehicle pickup through our export facilities in California, Florida, and New Jersey
  • Door-to-door delivery to major ports in Panama, including Cristobal
  • Specialist knowledge of Panama import regulations and asbestos requirements
Get Your Panama Car Shipping Rate

We collect your vehicle from anywhere in the US using open or enclosed car transporters. The car is then transported to our nearest export warehouse in California, Florida or New Jersey.

You always have the option to deliver/drop off the vehicle yourself.

With nearly 2 decades of experience in loading containers, we make sure that your cars are safely secured for their journey overseas.

Our team works closely with US Customs to clear cars for export.

For a seamless car import experience, we work with reliable partners worldwide to ensure your cars arrive safely and are properly cleared with import customs.

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Export Locations for Car Shipping to Panama
We ship cars to all major ports in Panama, including Cristobal. With export facilities in California, Florida, and New Jersey, we make it easy to ship a car to Panama from anywhere in the United States.

Learn more about our locations here.

International Car Shipping Methods

AIRPLANE

Need your vehicle fast? Air freight delivers in just 3-10 days, making it the quickest shipping option—significantly faster than container or RoRo shipping. Exact timing depends on customs and documentation.

SHIPPING CONTAINER

Our containers fit 1-4 vehicles—running or non-running—and offer cost-saving consolidation shipping. For high-value cars, we provide dedicated 20ft or 40ft containers.

RORO VESSEL

RoRo shipping requires vehicles to be operational and empty. Available ports and rates vary. Note: This method is only available for oversized cars

RORO VESSEL

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What Vehicles Can We Ship to Panama?

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Vehicles

We safely transport all types of personal vehicles to Panama with reliable, cost-efficient shipping options tailored to your needs.

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Motocycle

Shipping a motorcycle internationally can feel overwhelming, but we make the process simple, secure, and fully guided from pickup to delivery.

Motocycle
Importing_Electric_and_Hybrid_Vehicles_to_the_U.S._2025_Guide

Electric & Hybrid Cars

EVs and hybrids require special handling and documentation. Our team ensures your electric vehicle is shipped safely and meets Panama compliance standards.

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Race & Rally Cars

We specialize in transporting race and rally cars with the care and protection required for high-value performance vehicles.

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Classic Cars

Classic and vintage vehicles deserve expert handling. Our team provides secure, enclosed, and monitored transport to protect your collector car every step of the way.

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Luxury Cars

From high-end sedans to exotic sports cars, we offer premium shipping solutions designed to protect luxury vehicles during the entire journey.

Shipping_Salvage_&_Non_Running_Cars_to_Ghana

Salvage & Project Cars

We regularly ship salvage, damaged, and project cars to Panama. Whether your vehicle is partially running or in need of repair, we can handle secure transport and all required documentation.

Heavy_Machinery

Heavy Machinery

From construction machinery to agricultural equipment, we offer secure solutions for shipping heavy units of all sizes to Panama.

Oversized_Vehicles

Oversized Vehicles

If your vehicle exceeds standard dimensions, we can help. Our oversized shipping options handle trucks, vans, large SUVs, and custom-built vehicles.

Car shipping costs to Panama

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car from the USA to Panama?

Base car shipping costs to Panama from the USA include:

  • Cost to ship a car through Container shipping costs start at $2,750 for standard vehicles
  • Air freight available for expedited delivery to Panamanian airports
  • Import duties: 10% duty + 10% GST for cars under 30 years old, 0% duty + 10% GST for cars over 30 years

Additional costs and savings to consider:

  • Our container consolidation service saves up to 50% on shipping costs to Panama
  • Optional Cargo Damage Protection available for peace of mind
  • Door-to-door service includes all handling and documentation fees
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Get an Instant Car Shipping Quote

Our online car shipping calculator provides instant rates for shipping cars to Panama, including estimated duties, taxes, GST, and port fees. Calculate your exact cost to ship a car from the USA to any major port in Panama.

 

SHIPPING TIMES TO PANAMA

Transit times from USA to Panama vary by departure location:

  • 2-3 weeks for customs clearance, asbestos testing, and container loading
  • Additional week if using shared container consolidation service
  • 25-30 days sailing time from East Coast ports
  • 35-40 days sailing time from West Coast ports

ADDITIONAL COSTS TO CONSIDER

  • Vehicle Collection: Fees vary by pickup location in the USA
  • Import Duties: 10% duty + 10% GST (under 30 years), 0% duty + 10% GST (over 30 years)
  • Cargo Protection: Optional insurance coverage available

PAYMENT OPTIONS

We accept wire transfers, checks, and ban deposits only. Read more about banking fees when paying from overseas.

We do not accept credit card payments.

Panama CAR SHIPPING ports

Ports & Cities We Serve

Port of Manzanillo – Panama

Manzanillo is one of Panama’s main Caribbean ports and a crucial entry point for vehicle imports. Known for its strategic location near the Panama Canal, it offers efficient RoRo operations, container handling, and quick customs processing. WCS provides complete coordination to ensure your vehicle arrives safely and on schedule.
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Port of Cristóbal

Strategic Panama hub with efficient RoRo and fast customs.

“Excellent communication and genuine interest in our vehicles well being throughout the whole process. Highly recommend them for all your vehicle shipping needs!”
Alexander
San Francisco, California

Car Shipping Protection to Panama During Import

Protect your vehicle during international car shipping to Panama with comprehensive Cargo Damage Protection and mandatory asbestos testing. Our coverage safeguards your car from pickup in the USA through delivery in Panama, while our certified testing ensures compliance with Panama’s import regulations.

Most standard auto insurance policies don't cover international car shipping to Panama. If you decline Cargo Damage Protection, please note that our liability is capped at $500 per the Carriage of Goods at Sea Act. Additionally, all vehicles require successful asbestos testing before being cleared for import into Panama.

Key Protection Features:

  • Comprehensive door-to-door coverage
  • Protection during container shipping
  • Coverage during inland transit
Learn More About Cargo Protection
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Container Shipping Is The Best Option for Cars to Panama

For regular cars, SUVs, and motorcycles shipping to Panama, container shipping is still the recommended method. It offers full enclosure, increased security, and more frequent departures from our US export hubs.

RoRo Shipping from the USA to Panama: Best for Oversized Vehicles & Heavy Machinery

RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) shipping is designed specifically for oversized vehicles, commercial trucks, and heavy machinery that can be safely driven onto the vessel. While pricing is often similar to container shipping, RoRo is the most practical solution for units that exceed standard container dimensions.

If you’re moving a large or heavy vehicle from the USA to Panama, our RoRo calculator and dedicated RoRo page provide fast, accurate quotes tailored to your equipment size and location.

RoRo is ideal for:

  • Heavy machinery (excavators, loaders, tractors)
  • Oversized vehicles and commercial trucks
  • Units that can be driven onto the vessel

Need a RoRo price for your oversized vehicle or machinery?

Visit our RoRo Shipping Calculator or our RoRo Services Page to get a personalized quote instantly.

Calculate RoRo Shipping Cost

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Wholesale Car Shipping to Panama & Worldwide

We provide high-volume dealers, auctions, wholesalers, and event organizers with turnkey car shipping solutions to Panama and other international destinations.

  • End-to-end vehicle shipping solutions between the USA, Panama, and the rest of the world
  • Vehicle collection and export-clearance handling for dealer and auction inventory
  • Private export warehouses in CA, FL, and NJ for loading cars to Panama
  • Vehicle and parts consolidation into shared or dedicated containers
  • Use our carrier bookings or your own long-term contracts
  • Option to work with your preferred import agent when shipping dedicated containers
  • Expedited air-freight options for time-sensitive vehicles
Explore Wholesale Car Shipping Solutions

Documentation for Shipping a Car from the USA to Panama

Shipping a car from the USA to Panama requires specific export documents and import compliance. Here are the main documents you’ll need:

Essential Documentation:

  • Original Vehicle Title (no liens)
  • Bill of Sale
  • Power of Attorney form
  • EIN letter (for US citizens) or Copy of Passport (international customers).

Import Requirements:

  • Mandatory asbestos-testing certification for vehicles shipped to Panama
  • Vehicle must comply with Panama safety and emissions standards
  • Cars over 30 years old are exempt from duty (but not GST)
  • Import approval must be obtained before shipping
  • All vehicles must clear customs inspection on arrival in Panama
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Dedicated Export Team

Your dedicated account manager handles all documentation and customs requirements for shipping your car from the USA to Panama. We ensure full compliance with US export regulations and Panama car-import requirements.

West Coast Shipping in the News

Frequently Asked Questions About Panama Car Shipping

How much does it cost to ship a car from USA to Panama?

The cost to ship a car from the USA to Panama starts at $2,750

How long does it take to ship a car to Panama from the USA?

Shipping time to Panama typically takes 25-30 days from East Coast ports and 35-40 days from West Coast ports.

What documents do I need to import a car to Panama?

Required documents include:

  • Bill of sale
  • Export clearance documents
  • Power of attorney
  • Passport or EIN for US citizens.

All documentation must be complete before shipping your vehicle.

What is the best shipping method to send a car to Panama?

For most vehicles—cars, SUVs, motorcycles, and everyday vehicles—container shipping is the best option. It offers full enclosure, better protection, and controlled loading/unloading.
RoRo is mainly recommended only for oversized units, trucks, RVs, buses, or heavy machinery.

What taxes or import duties do I need to pay in Panama?

Import duties in Panama are calculated based on the vehicle’s CIF value (Cost + Insurance + Freight).
You may need to pay:

-Import Duty
-ITBMS tax
-Inspection fees

Do you offer shared container shipping to Panama?

Yes. WCS offers shared container options from major U.S. ports, which helps reduce costs while providing full container protection. This is one of the most popular choices for Panama shipments.

Can I track my vehicle during shipment?

Yes. Once your vehicle is loaded, WCS provides tracking details and updates so you can follow the vessel’s departure and arrival schedule.

What ports does WCS ship from when sending cars to Panama?

WCS offers shipments to Panama from:

-California
-Florida
-New York
-Texas

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