Paraguay
PY · PRY
As of: 6/27/2026
Binnenstaat mit Fluss-Logistik / Agrarexporteur
Capital: Asunción
MercosurLandlockedBinnenschiff (Fluss)StrasseLuftImport VAT: Einfuhr-IVA 10 Prozent NormalsatzCustoms: mittelRisk: mittelPharma/Cold Chain: mittel bis hochDangerous Goods: mittelE-Commerce: tief bis mittel
Overview
Paraguay (ISO code: PY) is a landlocked country in the heart of South America, bordering Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia. It is a presidential republic and a founding member of Mercosur. The climate is subtropical to tropical, with a pronounced rainy season and mild winters. The economy is shaped by agriculture - soy, maize, beef and cereals - and by hydropower from the Itaipu and Yacyreta dams, which makes Paraguay one of the world's largest electricity exporters. Although it has no sea coast, Paraguay operates the third-largest river barge fleet in the world; around 80 percent of its foreign trade moves along the Paraguay-Parana waterway (Hidrovia) to the ports of the Rio de la Plata. Customs and tax administration were merged into the DNIT in 2024; imports are cleared via the SOFIA system, with import VAT of 10 percent. The Mercosur common external tariff applies, and the national currency is the Guarani (PYG).
Mentioned countries
Area406,752 km²
Population6,417,076
CurrencyParaguayan Guarani (PYG)
Economic areaMercosur
ContinentSüdamerika
ReligionsKatholisch, Protestantisch, Andere
ISO codePY / PRY
Customs & Import/Export
Import system
Elektronische Einfuhrabfertigung über das System SOFIA der DNIT (Gerencia General de Aduanas, vormals DNA). Anmeldung durch lizenzierte Zollagenten; Ventanilla Única del Importador (VUI) für Zusatzbewilligungen.
Export system
Ausfuhrabfertigung ebenfalls über SOFIA der DNIT. Exporte laufen überwiegend per Binnenschiff über die Hidrovía Paraguay-Paraná zu den Häfen am Río de la Plata; Anmeldung durch lizenzierte Zollagenten.
Import VAT
- Einfuhr-IVA 10 Prozent Normalsatz
- ermässigt 5 Prozent auf Grundnahrungsmittel und Humanmedikamente (Ley 6380/2019). Erhebung bei der Einfuhr durch die DNIT.
Customs complexitymittel
Import documents
- Handelsrechnung (Factura comercial)
- Packliste
- Frachtbrief / Konnossement (B/L, CRT, AWB)
- Einfuhranmeldung (Despacho de importación, SOFIA)
- Ursprungszeugnis bei Präferenz
- Sanitäts-/Phytosanitärzertifikate (SENACSA/SENAVE)
Export documents
- Ausfuhranmeldung (Despacho de exportación, SOFIA)
- Handelsrechnung
- Packliste
- Transportdokument (B/L, CRT)
- Certificado de Origen Mercosur
- Phytosanitär-/Veterinärzertifikat (SENAVE/SENACSA)
Origin proofs / FTA
Mercosur-Mitglied: Certificado de Origen Mercosur für Präferenzen. EU-Mercosur-Abkommen seit 1.5.2026 vorläufig angewendet; EFTA-Mercosur-Abkommen am 16.9.2025 unterzeichnet, Ratifizierung ausstehend.
Restricted & prohibited goods
Genehmigungspflichtig u.a. Waffen, Munition, Sprengstoff, Arzneimittel, Chemikalien sowie Agrar- und Pflanzengüter (SENAVE-Phytosanitär, SENACSA-Veterinär). Gebrauchtfahrzeuge mit Altersgrenzen.
Export controls & sanctions
Kein autonomes Sanktionsregime; als UN-Mitglied Umsetzung der Sanktionen des UN-Sicherheitsrats. Es gelten die Mercosur-Aussenhandelsregeln; keine eigenständige Dual-Use-Exportkontrolle.
Without warranty — always verify with freight forwarder/customs agent and official authorities.
Customs / Import / Export (Americas) — General process
Quick operational overview for international shipments to the Americas. Depending on the destination, additional security filings, product requirements, or broker processes may apply.
Documents (typical)
- Commercial invoice (description, value, Incoterms)
- Packing list (weights, dimensions, packages)
- HS code / tariff classification
- Proof of origin / preference docs (where relevant)
- Transport documents (AWB / Bill of Lading) depending on mode
Process (simplified)
- Prepare export (docs, HS code, origin)
- Import clearance in destination country (declaration, possible checks)
- Release and delivery; duties/taxes according to classification and value
Important: Requirements depend on goods, origin, Incoterms, value, and consignee. When in doubt, confirm with your broker/forwarder and official sources.
Official links
Note: regional/general sources. Country-specific authority links will be added iteratively.
Trade
Freight Infrastructure & Transport Network
Transport relevance
Inland Waterway
highRoad
highAir
mediumRail
n/aSea
n/aCargo airports
- Silvio Pettirossi International Airport, Asunción (ASU)
- Guaraní International Airport, Ciudad del Este (AGT)
Seaports / access ports
- Kein eigener Seehafen (Binnenstaat); Seezugang über Buenos Aires/Rosario (AR) und Montevideo/Nueva Palmira (UY) via Hidrovía
Inland ports & terminals
- Villeta (wichtigster Container-Flusshafen)
- Puerto de Asunción
- Terport / Caacupemí (Asunción)
- San Antonio
- Pilar
- Ciudad del Este
Road corridors & border crossings
- Ruta PY02/PY07 Asunción - Ciudad del Este - Foz do Iguaçu (Brasilien)
- Asunción - Clorinda/Puerto Falcón (Argentinien)
- Corredor Bioceánico durch den Chaco Richtung chilenische Pazifikhäfen
Top trade lanes
- Hidrovía Paraguay-Paraná - Río de la Plata (Atlantik)
- Paraguay - Brasilien (Ciudad del Este)
- Paraguay - Argentinien
- Paraguay - EU/EFTA
Risk & Operational Notes
Logistics riskmittel
Customs delay riskmittel
Port congestion riskmittel
Risk notes
Binnenstaat: der Aussenhandel hängt stark von der Hidrovía ab. Niedrigwasser (bajante) des Paraguay-Flusses kann Abladetiefe und Konvois stark einschränken (zuletzt 2021 und 2024). Abhängigkeit von Häfen in Argentinien und Uruguay.
Seasonal & weather risks
Subtropisches Klima; Regenzeit Oktober bis April. Sommerliche Niedrigwasserphasen (bajante) des Paraguay-Flusses begrenzen periodisch die Schiffbarkeit der Hidrovía und damit die Frachtkapazität.
Current logistics notes
Stand 2026: EU-Mercosur-Abkommen seit 1.5.2026 vorläufig in Kraft; EFTA-Mercosur (inkl. Schweiz) am 16.9.2025 unterzeichnet, Ratifizierung läuft. Zoll- und Steuerverwaltung seit 2024 in der DNIT fusioniert.
As of: 2026-06-27
Operational notes – no claim to completeness. Verify with your freight forwarder and official sources.
Airports in this country
Aeropuerto Internacional Dr. Luis Maria Argaña
ESG · Mariscal Estigarribia
Aeropuerto Internacional Guaraní
AGT · Ciudad del Este
Aeropuerto Internacional Silvio Pettirossi
ASU · Asunción
Aeropuerto Internacional Tte. Amín Ayub González
ENO · Encarnación
Aeropuerto Nacional Doctor Juan Plate
VMI · Puerto Vallemi
Aeropuerto Nacional Dr. Augusto Roberto Fuster
PJC · Pedro Juan Caballero
Aeropuerto Nacional Juan de Ayolas
AYO · Ayolas
Aeropuerto Nacional Tte. Cnel. Carmelo Peralta
CIO · Concepción
Aeropuerto Nacional de Coronel Oviedo
Coronel Oviedo
Aeropuerto Nacional de Itaipú
Itaipú
Aeropuerto Nacional de Salto del Guaira
Salto del Guaira
Aeródromo Don Carlos Miguel Gimenez
PIL · Pilar
Latest News
More content for this country
As content becomes available, additional information and articles will automatically appear here.
Sources & Data Confidence
hochVerified: 2026-06-27
Official sources
- dnit.gov.py
- ine.gov.py
- mef.gov.py
- mercosur.int
Source references without warranty. For legal/tax decisions consult official authorities.
FAQ
What is the import tax rate in Paraguay?
The IVA (VAT) standard rate is 10 percent. A reduced rate of 5 percent applies to basic foodstuffs and human medicines (Law 6380/2019). The tax is levied on import by the DNIT.
Which authority handles customs in Paraguay?
Since the 2024 merger the Dirección Nacional de Ingresos Tributarios (DNIT) is responsible; its Customs General Management replaced the former DNA. Declarations are filed electronically via the SOFIA system.
How does a landlocked country reach world trade?
Via the Paraguay-Parana waterway: around 80 percent of foreign trade moves by barge to the ports of the Rio de la Plata (Argentina, Uruguay). Paraguay has the world's third-largest river fleet.
Which free-trade agreements apply to Paraguay?
Paraguay is a founding Mercosur member applying the common external tariff. The EU-Mercosur agreement has been provisionally applied since 1 May 2026; the EFTA-Mercosur agreement (including Switzerland) was signed on 16 September 2025 and is not yet ratified.
Which proof of origin is needed for preferences?
For Mercosur preferences the Mercosur Certificate of Origin is used. For third markets the proof depends on the respective agreement. Until end-2038 Paraguay may use higher shares of non-originating inputs for many goods.
Which ports and airports matter for cargo?
The main river ports are Villeta, Asuncion, San Antonio and Pilar. Air freight runs through Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (ASU) in Asuncion and Guarani International Airport (AGT) near Ciudad del Este.
What seasonal risks affect logistics?
The main risk is low water (bajante) on the Paraguay River, which in dry years (e.g. 2021 and 2024) markedly reduces barge loading depth and thus the freight capacity of the waterway.
Which trade partners are important for Paraguay?
Which logistics terms are especially relevant for Paraguay?
For international shipments, these terms are a good quick start:
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