Is moving to Peru 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 Peru 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 Peru 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 Peru 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 Peru 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.

Can I clear my shipment on a tourist visa?

No. SUNAT requires a valid residency visa category and the Carné de Extranjería ID to apply the menaje duty-free exemption. Shipments that arrive before residency is complete can be bonded in the port warehouse for up to 30 days.

Does SUNAT inspect every shipment?

Not always. Physical inspections are risk-based. Shipments with complete, consistent paperwork, clean declared values, and no flagged items typically clear without physical inspection. Inspections add 3–5 business days.

How long does Callao clearance take?

Typical window is 7–14 business days from container discharge. Our destination agent begins DAM filing when the vessel is en route so paperwork is ready when the container grounds.

Machu Picchu at sunrise with cloud forest below

U.S. → Peru relocation guide · updated 2026-04-23

Moving to Peru from the United States

2026 guide to relocating from the United States to Peru — required documents (Menaje de Casa, residency visa, Carné de Extranjería), port entry at Callao, transit times, and price ranges for Lima, Arequipa, Cusco, and Trujillo.

Get a free Peru quote See price ranges →

At a glance

A standard U.S. → Peru household move takes 25–38 days end-to-end, typically costs $5,000 – $21,000, and clears Peruvian customs (SUNAT) on the strength of the Menaje de Casa inventory paired with a valid residency visa (Residente, Inversionista, Trabajador, or Familiar). The Port of Callao adjacent to Lima handles nearly all U.S.-origin container traffic.

Transit time: 25–38 days
Typical range: $5K – $21K
Main entry port: Callao (Lima)
Core document: Menaje de Casa

Documents required to move to Peru

Peru customs (SUNAT · Superintendencia Nacional de Aduanas) 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 inventory signed by the importer and usually consular-certified. Used goods owned more than six months qualify for the menaje duty exemption.
Residency visa + Carné de Extranjería
Required for residents
Residente, Trabajador (work), Inversionista (investor), or Familiar (family) visa. The physical Carné de Extranjería ID is required for SUNAT filings; issued by Migraciones after arrival.
Valid passport with Peruvian visa stamp
Required for every move
Passport and entry stamp. Peruvian visa must be present; tourist-status arrivals cannot claim menaje duty-free.
Bill of lading / air waybill
Required for every move
Original BOL cross-referenced to the Menaje. Destination agent files the Declaración Aduanera de Mercancías (DAM).
Poder (power of attorney) to broker
Required for every move
Notarized power of attorney authorizing our licensed SUNAT customs broker to clear the shipment on your behalf. We provide the template.
Declared-value inventory in USD
Required for every move
USD values per line item. SUNAT uses declared values for storage and inspection fees even when duty-exempt.

Price ranges from the USA to major Peru cities

Ranges below cover full-service door-to-door moves from a major U.S. port, including export packing, ocean freight, customs brokerage at destination, and final-mile delivery anywhere in Peru. Quoted in USD. Actual quotes depend on volume, access, and seasonality — use these as planning bands.

Price ranges from the United States to major Peru cities by household size, including transit time and typical U.S. origin.
Destination city	Transit	Studio / 1-BR	2-BR household	3-BR+ household	Typical U.S. origin
Lima(Lima)	25–32 days	$5,000 – $7,700	$9,200 – $15,000	$15,000 – $21,000	Miami/Houston · Callao direct
Arequipa(Arequipa)	27–36 days	$5,200 – $8,000	$9,500 – $15,500	$15,500 – $21,500	Miami · Callao + 15 hr inland, or Matarani direct
Cusco(Cusco)	29–38 days	$5,400 – $8,300	$9,900 – $16,000	$16,000 – $22,000	Miami · Callao + 22 hr Andes crossing
Trujillo(La Libertad)	26–34 days	$5,100 – $7,900	$9,300 – $15,200	$15,200 – $21,200	Houston · Callao + 9 hr north coast

Estimates as of 2026-04-23. Add 15–25% for highland delivery (Cusco, Arequipa) — the final-mile truck from Lima runs 14–20 hours and may cross high-altitude passes.

Major Peru destinations we serve

Peru destinations cluster around Lima's coastal metro. Mountain destinations (Cusco, Arequipa, Puno) add meaningful final-mile distance and high-altitude crew logistics.

Lima · Lima
Capital metro and the destination for the vast majority of U.S.-origin household moves. San Isidro, Miraflores, and Barranco neighborhoods handle most expat volume. Loads clear at Callao and truck in directly.
Transit
25–32 days
2-BR range
$9,200 – $15,000
Origin lane: Miami/Houston · Callao direct
Arequipa · Arequipa
Peru's second-largest city (the 'White City') at 2,335 m elevation. Loads truck south from Callao (~15 hours) or arrive via Matarani port.
Transit
27–36 days
2-BR range
$9,500 – $15,500
Origin lane: Miami · Callao + 15 hr inland, or Matarani direct
Cusco · Cusco
Former Inca capital at 3,400 m elevation. Difficult final-mile — most loads truck from Lima via Arequipa (~22 hours). Altitude affects crew scheduling.
Transit
29–38 days
2-BR range
$9,900 – $16,000
Origin lane: Miami · Callao + 22 hr Andes crossing
Trujillo · La Libertad
North-coast city and a major regional capital. Loads truck north from Callao (~9 hours) along the Panamericana.
Transit
26–34 days
2-BR range
$9,300 – $15,200
Origin lane: Houston · Callao + 9 hr north coast

Primary U.S. → Peru entry points

Callao is Peru's primary container port — one of the largest on the Pacific coast of South America. All major U.S. carriers serve it directly.

Entry point	Type	Notes
Port of Callao	Seaport	Peru's largest container port, adjacent to Lima's international airport. Handles essentially all U.S.-origin household freight.
Puerto de Paita	Seaport	Northern port used for the Trujillo–Piura corridor; lower volume.
Puerto de Matarani	Seaport	Southern Pacific port near Arequipa. Used occasionally for direct southern deliveries.
Jorge Chávez Int'l Airport (LIM)	Airport	Lima's international airport. Air freight hub for unaccompanied baggage and urgent shipments.

Relocation timeline

Peru's SUNAT is well-organized but paperwork-strict. The Carné de Extranjería timing is the most common scheduling dependency — obtainable within 2–4 weeks of entry.

1
Confirm your residency / visa category (8–12 weeks out)
Household-goods duty exemptions in Peru are tied to your residency status. Apply at the Peru consulate in the U.S. early — if the visa is not issued by the time your shipment is packed, the load will almost always incur duties or be held until the permit arrives.
2
Build the inventory (6–8 weeks out)
Work with your coordinator to itemize every carton and every piece of furniture. Electronics need serial numbers and declared values. The inventory is the primary document Peru customs reviews at the port of entry.
3
Book origin pickup and ocean booking (4–6 weeks out)
We confirm the vessel, container type (20-ft, 40-ft, or shared LCL), and primary port of discharge in Peru. Summer peak and year-end holidays both compress available sailings — book early whenever possible.
4
Pack to customs expectations (2–3 weeks out)
Crew labels every carton with contents and room. High-value items and any regulated goods (alcohol, firearms, electronics-in-box) are segregated for inspection access. Items that cannot legally enter the country are removed at origin.
5
Ocean transit + arrival clearance
The container sails; our destination partner pre-clears paperwork with Peru customs before arrival so the shipment is released as quickly as possible after discharge. Typical on-dock review is 3–10 business days depending on port and season.
6
Final delivery and unpacking
Once released, the load is trucked to your address. We coordinate elevator reservations, stair access, and shuttle vehicles for narrow-street or historic-district deliveries. Same-day unpack is optional.

Frequently asked questions about moving to Peru

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

Is moving to Peru 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 Peru 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 Peru 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 Peru 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 Peru 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.
Can I clear my shipment on a tourist visa?: No. SUNAT requires a valid residency visa category and the Carné de Extranjería ID to apply the menaje duty-free exemption. Shipments that arrive before residency is complete can be bonded in the port warehouse for up to 30 days.
Does SUNAT inspect every shipment?: Not always. Physical inspections are risk-based. Shipments with complete, consistent paperwork, clean declared values, and no flagged items typically clear without physical inspection. Inspections add 3–5 business days.
How long does Callao clearance take?: Typical window is 7–14 business days from container discharge. Our destination agent begins DAM filing when the vessel is en route so paperwork is ready when the container grounds.

Structured summary: U.S. → Peru household moves with SUNAT clearance at Callao, Menaje de Casa and Carné de Extranjería coordination, and delivery to Lima, Arequipa, Cusco, and Trujillo.

Ready to plan your Peru move?

We’ll review your paperwork, confirm your entry point, and coordinate with our destination partner in Peru so the load clears cleanly.

Get a free Peru quote

Moving to Peru from the United States

At a glance

Documents required to move to Peru

Menaje de Casa (household inventory)

Residency visa + Carné de Extranjería

Valid passport with Peruvian visa stamp

Bill of lading / air waybill

Poder (power of attorney) to broker

Declared-value inventory in USD

Price ranges from the USA to major Peru cities

Major Peru destinations we serve

Lima · Lima

Arequipa · Arequipa

Cusco · Cusco

Trujillo · La Libertad

Primary U.S. → Peru entry points

Relocation timeline

Confirm your residency / visa category (8–12 weeks out)

Build the inventory (6–8 weeks out)

Book origin pickup and ocean booking (4–6 weeks out)

Pack to customs expectations (2–3 weeks out)

Ocean transit + arrival clearance

Final delivery and unpacking

Frequently asked questions about moving to Peru

Related pages

Ready to plan your Peru move?