Moving to Nicaragua from the United States

Nicaragua customs (DGA · Dirección General de Servicios Aduaneros) clears household shipments against a clear paper trail. Missing or inaccurate documents are the single most common cause of delays at the port. Residency category determines whether your shipment clears duty-free.

• Menaje de Casa (household inventory)

  Required for every move

  Spanish-language, itemized household inventory certified by the Nicaraguan consulate in the U.S. before shipping. Used goods owned for at least six months generally qualify for duty-free import under the settler category.

• Valid passport

  Required for every move

  Passport for every household member. Our destination partner keeps a certified copy on file with the rest of the clearance package.

• Residency visa or work permit

  Required for residents

  Residencia Temporal, Residencia Permanente, or work permit from DGME determines the duty-free category. Pensionado and Rentista categories have their own exemption rules.

• Bill of lading / air waybill

  Required for every move

  Carrier BOL matched line-by-line to the Menaje. Mismatches between declared count and actual count are the single most common cause of inspection holds at Corinto.

• Declared-value inventory

  Required for every move

  USD value per line item. Duty exemption is by category, not by value, but DGA uses declared values to size warehouse fees and decide inspection scope.

• Consular invoice (Factura consular)

  Required for every move

  Some shipments require an additional consular invoice separate from the Menaje. We prepare it with your consulate appointment to avoid a second trip.

Household destinations cluster on the Pacific side (Managua, León, Granada, San Juan del Sur). Atlantic-side deliveries to Bluefields and Puerto Cabezas are available but typically use air freight or small coastal carriers.

• 

  Managua · Managua

  Capital metro, and the most common destination for professional and diplomatic moves. Most loads truck in from Corinto port (~2.5 hours).

  Transit

  20–28 days

  2-BR range

  $7,800 – $13,000

  Origin lane: Houston, TX · Port of Houston → Corinto

• 

  Granada · Granada

  Colonial lakeside town on Lake Nicaragua with a large U.S. and European expat community. Narrow cobblestone streets favor a shuttle on final mile.

  Transit

  21–29 days

  2-BR range

  $8,000 – $13,500

  Origin lane: Miami, FL · Corinto + inland shuttle

• 

  León · León

  Historic university city west of Managua with growing expat real-estate interest. Short truck from Corinto.

  Transit

  20–28 days

  2-BR range

  $7,900 – $13,200

  Origin lane: Houston, TX · Corinto

• 

  San Juan del Sur · Rivas

  Pacific surf community and retirement destination. Loads route via Corinto with a long final-mile truck south past Rivas.

  Transit

  22–30 days

  2-BR range

  $8,300 – $13,800

  Origin lane: Miami, FL · Corinto + long inland

Frequently asked questions about moving to Nicaragua

Short, answer-first responses to the questions we get most often.

Is moving to Nicaragua from the USA duty-free?

Used personal effects are generally exempt from duty under the "menaje de casa" or equivalent settler category — provided you have the corresponding residency status and a properly prepared inventory. New-in-box items, vehicles, alcohol, and firearms are treated separately and usually attract duty.

How long does shipping to Nicaragua take?

Ocean transit depends on origin and port pairing. Most East Coast U.S. origins reach Central America in 12–20 days, northern South America in 18–30 days, and the Southern Cone in 28–45 days. Customs clearance typically adds 3–10 business days on top of transit.

Do I need to be present when my shipment clears customs?

No. Our destination partner in Nicaragua presents paperwork on your behalf under a signed authorization. You should be reachable by phone in case an officer requests clarification on a specific item.

Can I ship a vehicle to Nicaragua with my household goods?

Sometimes — but vehicle import rules vary by country and carry additional documentation, taxes, and age restrictions. We always quote vehicle import separately from household goods and confirm eligibility before booking.

What items are restricted or prohibited?

Firearms and ammunition always require advance declaration and in several countries cannot be imported by private individuals. Fresh produce, plants, seeds, and soil face agricultural restrictions. New-in-box electronics, pharmaceuticals, and bulk quantities of the same item are commonly flagged as commercial goods.

How much does a move to Nicaragua typically cost?

Most full-service household moves fall in a wide band: a studio can start around $4,000 from a nearby U.S. port; a 3-BR+ household to the far reaches of South America can exceed $25,000. Distance, port pair, and residency paperwork are the biggest cost drivers.

How far in advance should I book?

Start residency paperwork 8–12 weeks before your target move. Book origin pickup 4–6 weeks out. Peak season is May–August and December — secure a slot earlier if you need those windows.

Does the pensionado / residencia visa category still allow duty-free household imports?

Yes. Retirees approved under the Ley de Residente Pensionado qualify for duty-free import of a one-time household goods shipment plus certain appliances within a defined window after residency is granted.

How long does DGA clearance at Corinto take?

Typical window is 5–10 business days after container discharge once the Menaje, BOL, passport, and residency paperwork are presented. Peak season (December–January) can add 3–5 days.