🇵🇪 How Much Does It Cost to Import a Car to Peru?
Combined import taxes in Peru run about 23.9%–66% of a vehicle's CIF value. On a $10,000 (CIF) car that is roughly $2,390–$6,600 in duties and taxes — before ocean freight and local clearance. Below is the full 2026 breakdown, then a free calculator for your exact car.
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Key import facts for Peru
- Combined import taxes (petrol/diesel): ~23.9%–66% of CIF
- Electric vehicles: ~18%–18.6% of CIF (EV incentives apply)
- Maximum vehicle age: 2 years
- Used-car imports: restricted — verify conditions
- Driving side: left-hand drive (LHD)
- Local currency: PEN
Ocean freight to Peru
| Destination port | RoRo (1 car ≈ 12.5 CBM) | 40HQ container (2–3 cars) | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callao (Lima) | $1,150–$1,438 | $2,750–$3,300 | 32–42 days |
| Paita | $1,188–$1,500 | $2,850–$3,400 | 33–44 days * |
RoRo cost shown for a midsize car (~12.5 CBM). A 40-foot high-cube container is shared across multiple cars. Figures marked * are estimates — confirm live rates with your forwarder.
Before you buy: entry rules for Peru
These decide whether a vehicle can enter at all. Getting them wrong costs a container, not a margin.
- Age limit: 2 years — counted from the year of manufacture. Used units are capped at 2 years from the model year, and used diesel is banned in most categories — in practice Peru is a new-car market.
- Fuel restrictions: Used compression-ignition (diesel) vehicles in categories L, M and N are banned outright, except sub-categories M3 and N3.
- Pre-shipment inspection: Certificado de Conformidad de Cumplimiento (MTC-authorised certifying body (DGCT)) — A new vehicle imported by anyone other than the party that homologated the model needs a conformity certificate from an MTC-authorised body confirming it matches the homologated model.
Worked example: a $10,000 car, step by step
Every figure below is derived, not asserted — this is the same arithmetic our calculator runs. Base: $10,000 CIF (vehicle + freight + insurance at the destination port), engine band 1.4 – 1.5L, new.
| Line | Rate | Charged on | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customs duty | 0% | CIF | $0 |
| Excise | 7.5% | CIF + duty | $750 |
| VAT | 18% | CIF + duty + excise | $1,935 |
| Para-fiscal levies | 0.3% | CIF — statistical, community and shipper-council levies | $30 |
| Duties and taxes | 27.2% | of CIF | $2,715 |
| Terminal charges | — | per 40HQ | $575 |
| Customs broker | — | per entry | $275 |
| Landed cost | — | CIF + taxes + port + clearance | $13,565 |
Excludes inland delivery, registration and any age-penalty tax. Change the vehicle, engine size or year in the calculator to re-derive this for your own unit.
Port charges and clearance in Peru
On top of duties and taxes you pay the terminal and your broker. These are not part of the tax figures above.
| Charge | Typical range | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal / carrier charges (THC, DO, security) | $450–$700 | per 40HQ |
| Customs broker / clearance fee | $200–$350 | per entry |
| Combined | $850 typical | per container |
Paperwork you must have
- certificate of origin (China–Peru FTA)
- emissions test
- age verification (2-year cap)
Important: Without the FTA certificate of origin you lose the 0% duty. Used units are age- and emissions-checked at entry.
Ask your carrier for 14–21 days of destination free time (demurrage/detention) at booking — congested ports and high inspection rates make this the cheapest insurance you can buy.
Frequently asked questions
How much are import duties and taxes on a car in Peru?
Combined import taxes (duty, excise and VAT) run about 23.9%–66% of the car's CIF value. On a $10,000 (CIF) car that is roughly $2,390–$6,600 in duties and taxes, before ocean freight and local port/clearance fees.
What is the maximum age of car you can import into Peru?
Peru allows imported vehicles up to 2 years old. Older units are typically refused at customs.
How long does it take to ship a car to Callao (Lima), Peru?
Ocean transit to Callao (Lima) is typically 32–42 days, depending on the origin port and sailing schedule.
Can I import a used car into Peru?
Used-car imports into Peru are restricted — extra conditions or approvals may apply, so verify the current rule with a licensed customs broker before buying.
Does Peru require left-hand or right-hand drive vehicles?
Peru drives on the right, so left-hand-drive (LHD) vehicles are the standard.
Compare with nearby markets
Duty, VAT and age rules change sharply across a border — the same car can land 20 points cheaper one country over.
- Bolivia — combined import tax 37.5%–48.5% of CIF
- Chile — combined import tax 20%–21% of CIF
- Colombia — combined import tax 64%–70% of CIF
- Costa Rica — combined import tax 52%–53% of CIF
- Ecuador — combined import tax 60%–80% of CIF
Related guides
- Used-car age limits by country
- Importing Chinese EVs: incentives and traps
- How import taxes are calculated (CIF, duty, VAT, excise)
- RoRo vs container: which is cheaper for cars
Estimate your exact cost
Tax rates, car age and engine size all change the final number. Use the free AutoLanded calculator to get a line-by-line landed cost for your specific vehicle and destination port.