How to Calculate Duties and Taxes on Imports to Peru

How to Calculate Duties and Taxes on Imports to Peru involves a multi-step process based on the product's classification, value, and origin. Import duties and taxes are mandatory fees levied by the Peruvian government, overseen by the National Superintendency of Customs and Tax Administration (SUNAT). For low-value shipments, Peru offers a significant exemption: goods valued at or below USD 200 are generally exempt from both customs duties and the General Sales Tax (IGV). All calculations are performed in the local currency, the Peruvian Sol (S/, PEN), using the CIF customs valuation method.

The primary import duty in Peru is the Ad Valorem Tariff, which is applied to the Customs Value of the goods. Peru's Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff structure is tiered, with the most common rates being 0%, 6%, and 11%. The specific rate is determined by the product's classification under the Peruvian Customs Tariff, which uses the 10-digit National Subheading (NANDINA) code. Correctly identifying this 10-digit code is the first and most critical step in determining the applicable duty rate. Importers should also check if their goods qualify for preferential duty rates under Peru's numerous Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), such as those with the Andean Community of Nations (CAN) or the United States.

To accurately calculate import tax in Peru, you must first establish the Customs Value, which is the basis for all subsequent tax calculations. Peru adheres to the WTO Valuation Agreement, using the CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) method. This means the dutiable value includes the cost of the goods (FOB value), the cost of international freight, and the cost of insurance up to the port of entry in Peru. SUNAT, the official authority, may use a referential price verification system (SIVEP) to ensure the declared value is accurate, especially in transactions between related parties.

Once the Customs Value (CIF) is determined, the import duty is calculated. The main import tax calculator Peru uses is based on a cascading system. The total tax burden includes the Ad Valorem Duty, the General Sales Tax (IGV), and the Municipal Promotion Tax (IPM), plus any applicable Selective Consumption Tax (ISC) or special duties.

General Sales Tax (IGV) and Municipal Promotion Tax (IPM): The combined VAT rate is 18%, which consists of 16% IGV and 2% IPM. This tax is applied not just to the CIF value, but to the sum of the CIF value plus the Ad Valorem Duty and any other applicable taxes like the ISC. This compounding effect is crucial to understanding how import duty is calculated in Peru and estimating the final landed cost.

Customs Clearance Thresholds: For commercial imports, the key operational threshold is USD 2,000. Shipments with a CIF value exceeding USD 2,000 require a formal Customs Goods Declaration (DAM) and the mandatory involvement of a licensed customs agent. Shipments valued at USD 2,000 or less can be cleared using a Simplified Customs Declaration (DSI). The official Tax Reference Unit (UIT) for 2025 is S/ 5,350.00, which is used to determine various tax obligations and penalties.

Peru maintains several special regimes that affect the calculation of customs duties. The Free Trade Zones (ZEDs) offer exemptions from import taxes for goods entering the zone, though taxes become due upon transfer to the rest of the national territory. Additionally, the Selective Consumption Tax (ISC) is levied on specific products like alcohol, tobacco, and certain vehicles, adding another layer to the total import tax calculation. Importers of agricultural goods must also be aware of the Price Band System, which applies variable specific duties to stabilize domestic prices for products like rice, maize, and sugar.