How to Ship from the US to Peru: Complete 2026 Guide

Peru is one of South America's fastest-growing economies, and Peruvian consumers have developed a strong appetite for American products — electronics, clothing, health supplements, and outdoor equipment are particularly popular. Lima is a modern commercial hub with decent logistics infrastructure, and cities like Arequipa, Trujillo, and Cusco are growing rapidly.

The US-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement, in effect since 2009, has eliminated or reduced tariffs on many categories of American goods, giving US sellers a significant advantage over competitors from countries without preferential trade access. Shipping to Peru requires more attention to customs documentation than European destinations, but the process is manageable once you understand the rules.

Carrier Options

DHL Express offers the best combination of speed and reliability for Peru, with transit times of three to five business days to Lima. DHL has a strong presence in Latin America and handles customs clearance efficiently through their Lima office. Express rates for a one-pound package run 55 to 80 dollars.

FedEx International Priority delivers in four to six business days, and UPS Worldwide Express takes a similar timeline. Both carriers serve Lima well but have more limited coverage in smaller Peruvian cities. USPS Priority Mail Express International takes six to nine business days and costs less — roughly 50 to 65 dollars for a one-pound package.

USPS Priority Mail International is the standard option at 38 to 55 dollars for a one-pound package, delivering in 10 to 25 business days. Serpost, Peru's national postal service, handles last-mile delivery. Serpost service in Lima is reasonably reliable, but deliveries outside the capital can be slow and unpredictable. If your customer is in Cusco or a smaller city, express carriers with their own delivery networks provide a more consistent experience.

Economy shipping via USPS First-Class Package International starts at 14 to 19 dollars for lightweight items, with delivery in 20 to 40 business days. The wide delivery window reflects the reality that Peruvian postal processing times can be highly variable.

Customs and Import Duties

Peru's customs authority (SUNAT) applies import duties on most goods. General duty rates range from 0 to 11 percent, with many American goods qualifying for reduced rates under the US-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement. A General Sales Tax of 18 percent (Impuesto General a las Ventas, or IGV) applies to all imports on top of any customs duties.

Shipments valued under 200 US dollars are generally processed through a simplified customs regime with lower scrutiny. Above 200 dollars, formal customs entry is required, which may involve a customs broker and additional fees. For commercial shipments, having the correct HS tariff codes and leveraging the preferential duty rates under the trade agreement can significantly reduce your customer's import costs.

Customs declarations must include detailed item descriptions in English and ideally Spanish, declared values in US dollars, quantities, and the country of origin. Peruvian customs officers scrutinize undervalued declarations, and getting caught undervaluing leads to penalties and delays.

Practical Shipping Tips

Peruvian addresses can be complex, particularly in Lima where neighborhoods (distritos) are an important part of the address. Include the full address with distrito, street name, number, and any apartment or reference information the recipient provides. Always include a phone number — Peruvian delivery services use phone calls and WhatsApp messages extensively for delivery coordination.

Lima's traffic congestion affects last-mile delivery times. Even within Lima, a package handed off to Serpost or a carrier's local delivery network can take one to three additional business days to reach the recipient's door.

For temperature-sensitive products, Peru's coastal desert climate means temperatures in Lima are moderate year-round (60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit), but shipments to highland cities like Cusco experience significant temperature swings, and jungle-region cities like Iquitos are hot and humid.

Platforms like atoship let you compare carrier rates for Peruvian shipments and generate customs documentation that takes advantage of the US-Peru trade agreement's preferential duty rates.