Peru is overhauling its customs regulatory framework to strip away bureaucratic friction and lower the cost of doing business across its borders. The Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) has introduced a series of measures designed to streamline how goods enter, transit and exit the country, signaling a shift toward a more agile, risk-based approach to trade oversight.
The initiative, centered on a recent decree published in early May, aims to enhance the competitiveness of Peru’s foreign trade operations by reducing the time and money operators spend on administrative compliance. By simplifying procedures and recalibrating penalties, the government intends to make the customs process more predictable for exporters and importers without compromising national security or tax collection.
For the logistics operators and trade firms on the ground, these changes represent a move toward “trade facilitation”—a global trend of reducing red tape to encourage investment and increase the velocity of goods. Minister of Economy and Finance Rodolfo Acuña Namihas stated that these improvements allow for more agile processes and lower costs for operators, which in turn strengthens the country’s standing in the global market.
A Shift Toward Risk-Based Oversight
One of the most significant changes involves the elimination of mandatory physical inspections for specific types of shipments. Previously, operations such as re-importation in the same state, temporary admission for re-exportation, and temporary export for re-importation required a physical check of the goods.
Under the new rules, these mandatory inspections are gone. Instead, the administration will employ risk management techniques to determine which shipments actually require a physical review. So that low-risk operators will see their goods move through the system faster, reducing port storage fees and idling time for transport vehicles.
The MEF is also simplifying the paperwork for cargo in transit. Transporters will now only need to process transport documents for cargo destined for third countries at the first national port of arrival. This removes the need for repetitive filings as goods move through different domestic customs jurisdictions, cutting down on administrative overlap.
Recalibrating Penalties and Fines
The government is also softening the blow for clerical errors that do not result in a loss of tax revenue. In a move to make the system more proportional, the MEF has introduced a “non-sancionable” category for the rectification of customs declarations when the errors concern insurance values, freight, or related expenses.
the administration is providing transport operators with more flexibility regarding non-manifested goods. In cases where there are differences in cargo during transit or transshipment to third countries, transporters can now opt to pay a fine rather than facing the total seizure of the goods.
The new framework also reduces fines in several other key areas:
- Late submission of maritime transport documents.
- Failure to comply with advance dispatch requirements prior to a customs request.
- Incorrect declarations where no taxes or surcharges were left unpaid.
- Failure to transmit supporting documentation during the declaration numbering process.
To ensure consistency across the board, the government has harmonized the fines for incorrect declarations—specifically those involving unpaid taxes—to align with the treatment used in broader tax law.
Impact on Trade Competitiveness
From a financial perspective, these changes target “overcosts”—the hidden expenses associated with delays, unnecessary inspections, and rigid penalty structures. For a developing economy, reducing these frictions can act as a catalyst for increased foreign direct investment and more robust trade volumes.
| Provision | Previous Requirement | New Framework |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Inspections | Mandatory for re-imports/exports | Based on risk management |
| Transit Documentation | Multiple filings possible | First port of arrival only |
| Non-manifested Goods | Risk of seizure (comiso) | Option to substitute with fine |
| Clerical Rectifications | Potentially sanctionable | Non-sancionable (insurance/freight) |
By moving toward a more proportional sanctioning system, the Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas is attempting to move away from a punitive model and toward a compliance-based model. This encourages operators to be transparent with their declarations, knowing that honest mistakes in non-tax-affecting areas will not lead to crippling fines.
The broader goal is to align Peru’s customs operations with international standards, such as those promoted by the World Customs Organization, which emphasize the balance between effective control and trade facilitation.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice regarding customs regulations or international trade law.
The next phase of implementation will involve the integration of these rules into the digital systems used by the SUNAT (Peru’s customs and tax authority). Traders and logistics firms are encouraged to review the updated Table of Sanctions to determine how these reductions apply to their specific operations.
Do you think these changes will be enough to boost Peru’s trade competitiveness? Share your thoughts in the comments or share this story with your network.
