We have been asked by many past guests about the logistics of moving to Cusco, and one topic that often time came up was how to bring a vehicle. Since we did not actually bring a vehicle with us, we were never able to provide any information on the process, and while we do not know anything about shipping a vehicle to Peru, Jason Mueller does and has provided the following guest post for me and my readers, so if you are planning a move to Cusco or Peru in general, the following information will be useful for you.
“Everything You Need to Know About Importing a Car Into Cusco”
Are you considering a move to Cusco in the near future? If so, then you likely have an abundance of questions, ranging from topics like what area of the city should you live in to what type of medical care or insurance is available. Yet, perhaps one of the most pressing questions when contemplating (or actively planning) a move, is the subject of bringing a car into Cusco.
It’s wise to research this before making the leap, as you don’t want a nasty surprise waiting for you once you arrive. Since different countries and locales have varying rules and regulations, it can sometimes be difficult to ascertain what the right course of action is. Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of everything you need to know about shipping a car to Cusco from abroad.
Procession in front of the Cathedral in Cusco
Limitations When Importing a Car into Cusco
It’s important to note that the laws regarding importing a car into Cusco, are the same for Peru as a whole. In other words, the city of Cusco doesn’t have any additional regulations beyond those which the country enforces.
1) Age Restrictions.
For your vehicle to be eligible for importation, your typical gas engine vehicle must be no more than 5 years old. If you have a diesel vehicle, it won’t be allowed in the country, as only diesel passenger vehicles with 8 seats or more that weigh above 5 tons are permitted. Considering that even a large SUV typically weighs only 2.5 to 3 tons, importing diesel vehicles into Peru is limited exclusively to large commercial vehicles.
2) Mileage Restrictions.
For this reason, you should only pursue the importation of a gasoline engine vehicle into the country. There are also mileage restrictions for gas vehicles, which must be followed if your car is to be allowed in. For used vehicles, there must be no more than 49,709 miles on the odometer at the time of import.
3) Emission Restrictions.
The vehicle that you’re attempting to bring into Peru, must also be able to pass the current legal emission standards.
4) Steering Wheel Placement.
Finally, only vehicles that were built with the steering wheel on the left side are eligible for import. Vehicles with the steering wheel on the right side, or vehicles that have had the steering wheel moved to the left side after manufacture, are not allowed into the country.
Documentation Needed When Importing a Car into Cusco
When moving overseas to Peru and bringing your car, it’s imperative that you have the appropriate paperwork already in hand. Otherwise, your vehicle could be unnecessarily delayed or even impounded by customs. To avoid this type of issue, be sure that you have your vehicle registration, title, vehicle identification number (VIN), Inspection Report for New Vehicles and Second Verification Report for New Vehicles fully filled out.
You’ll also need a bill of lading or airway bill, commercial invoice, packing list, Gas Emissions Certificate, emissions inspection approved by the Ministry of Transport and a Technical Certificate as well as your proof of insurance.
Taxes and Fees
Selective Consumption Tax
The final point to consider when shipping a car to Peru, are the various taxes and fees involved. For new vehicles, you’ll pay a Selective Consumption Tax which is currently set at 10% of the C.I.F. value. For used vehicles, the Selective Consumption Tax is set much higher, and it currently stands at 30% of the C.I.F. value.
The C.I.F. value stands for Cost, Insurance and Freight. This simply refers to the figure you get when you add together the value of the car, the cost of insurance and the cost paid to ship the car to Peru.
Impuestro General a las Ventas (General Tax)
In addition to the Selective Consumption Tax, you’ll also pay a general sales tax (IGV) of 18% for both new and used vehicles.
Value Added Tax (VAT).
Most imports in Peru are subject to an additional 18% VAT on top of the Selective Consumption and the IGV.
Fees
Finally, you can expect to pay a $300 USD fee for a required technical inspection and a $29 USD Customs tax.
Evaluating International Moving Companies
Knowing about the vehicle restrictions and various taxes you can expect to pay isn’t sufficient. It’s now time for you to evaluate and hire an international moving company to transport your car. Selecting the right international moving company is critical when shipping a car to Peru – otherwise your experience could be a highly negative one.
It’s vital that the enterprise you choose has sufficient experience, the right infrastructure and equipment, a stellar track record, knowledgeable staff and an affordable price. Finding this blend of attributes can be a challenge, especially if you’ve never undertaken this type of potentially tricky endeavor before.
The good news is that such a company exists, and you don’t have to spend hours trying to sift through the available options. A1 Auto Transport is extremely well-versed in every aspect of shipping cars as well as other personal items to Peru. They’ve been in business for more than two decades, and they know the ins and outs of the process in minute detail. Their experience can mean the difference between a smooth, seamless importation of your vehicle – and a nightmare scenario where your vehicle is left in endless limbo after being impounded.
You now have all the information you need to begin navigating the rather complicated process of importing a car into Cusco. While having this knowledge in hand will help you enormously, hiring the right international moving company is also imperative. They will help guide you through every step of the journey, from filling out the paperwork correctly to making sure the proper taxes and fees are paid. This expert guidance will help to ensure that your vehicle makes it safely to its destination – with minimum fuss and frustration.
