Make no mistake about it, importing the car into Panama is going to be an administrative nightmare. I wouldn’t stand a chance of sorting it out on my own so have retained the services of a Customs Broker called Eliecer Alvarado Guardia, but who likes to be called Choro. He and everybody else at his company (http://www.aduanasalvarado.com/indexE.html) are being brilliant walking me through everything (literally at times!)
The importation process is basically the same as that if I had sent a shipping container full of merchandise here. The ‘goods’ need to be taken to a bonded warehouse where they are left (for a fee) until the paperwork is correct and customs have inspected them.
In my case that entails taking them to a company called Kintes, by following one of Choro’s guys riding a motorcycle. Their site is exactly as you would expect a haulage hub or equivalent to be. I.e lorries and containers all over the place.
They inspected the car for damage, etc and then take it off my hands until I have sorted the importation paperwork at the customs office.
I dont mind telling you it felt a bit weird watching the bug being driven off into the distance by somebody else.
I hope the bug will be ok on its own for a few days while Choro and I tackle the customs.
I was delighted however when I found somebody for it to play with in my absence. I hope they get on!
Dont even want to think what the owner of the Ferrari is paying in duty though.
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