Moving to Peru

Moving Guide

Visa & Residence

Navigating the visa and residence process for Peru largely depends on your nationality. Citizens of many countries, particularly those from the European Union, may enjoy visa-free entry for tourism for a specified period, typically up to 90 or 183 days. However, if your intention is to reside in Peru for work, study, family reunification, or long-term stay, you will need to apply for a specific visa type and eventually a residence permit.

Typical routes include:

• Work Visa: Usually sponsored by a Peruvian employer.
• Family Visa: For those with direct family members (spouse, parents, children) who are Peruvian citizens or legal residents.
• Student Visa: For individuals enrolled in an accredited educational institution in Peru.
• Rentista (Income Earner) Visa: For those who can demonstrate a consistent income from abroad.
• Investor Visa: For individuals making a significant investment in Peru.

It is crucial to verify the most current requirements and procedures directly with the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores) or the Peruvian consulate in your home country. Requirements can change, and official sources will provide the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Housing & Rental

Finding housing in Peru, especially in major cities like Lima or Cusco, offers various options. Online portals, local real estate agents (inmobiliarias), and even word-of-mouth are common ways to find properties. Popular areas in Lima for expats often include Miraflores, San Isidro, Barranco, and Surco, known for their amenities and safety.

The typical rental process involves:

• Viewing Properties: Schedule visits to potential homes.
• Lease Agreement: Once you find a suitable place, a lease agreement (contrato de alquiler) will be drafted. It's advisable to have a Spanish speaker review this document with you.
• Deposits: Landlords typically require a security deposit, usually equivalent to one or two months' rent, in addition to the first month's rent upfront. This deposit is intended to cover any damages beyond normal wear and tear.
• Utilities: Clarify whether utilities (electricity, water, gas, internet) are included in the rent or if they are separate.

Consider whether you need temporary housing upon arrival, such as an Airbnb or a hotel, while you search for a long-term rental. Furnished apartments are common, but unfurnished options are also available. For long-term stays, a lease agreement is usually for a minimum of one year.

What Affects the Cost of Your Move

The total cost of relocating to Peru is influenced by several key factors. Understanding these can help you budget effectively for your international move.

• Volume of Belongings: The more items you ship, the higher the cost. This is often measured in cubic meters.
• Distance: The origin country's distance from Peru directly impacts shipping costs.
• Season of Move: Peak moving seasons (often summer in the Northern Hemisphere) can sometimes lead to higher demand and potentially higher prices.
• Access at Origin and Destination: Ease of access for movers at both your current home and your new home in Peru (e.g., stairs, narrow streets, elevator availability) can affect labor costs.
• Extra Services: Additional services like professional packing, unpacking, storage, specialized handling for delicate items, or customs clearance assistance will add to the overall expense.

For an accurate estimate tailored to your specific needs, it is always best to request a free, no-obligation quote from a reputable relocation service.

Timeline & Packing Tips

A well-organized relocation timeline, ideally starting 4-8 weeks before your move, can significantly reduce stress.

4-8 Weeks Before:

• Declutter: Go through all your belongings and decide what to keep, donate, sell, or discard. This reduces your shipping volume and cost.
• Research & Plan: Finalize visa applications, research neighborhoods, and begin looking into schools or job opportunities if applicable.
• Get Quotes: Contact relocation companies for free quotes for your international move.
• Documents: Start gathering and organizing important documents (passports, birth certificates, marriage licenses, medical records, academic transcripts, financial statements). Make copies and digital backups.

2-4 Weeks Before:

• Notify Utilities & Services: Arrange for disconnection of utilities (electricity, water, gas, internet) at your current home and plan for new connections in Peru.
• Mail Forwarding: Set up mail forwarding if available.
• Medical & Dental Check-ups: Have any necessary check-ups and get prescriptions refilled. Obtain copies of medical records.
• Packing Supplies: If self-packing, acquire sturdy boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and markers.

1 Week Before:

• Pack Essentials Bag: Prepare a separate bag with essentials for your first few days in Peru (toiletries, medications, important documents, a change of clothes).
• Confirm Arrangements: Confirm travel arrangements, accommodation, and moving company details.
• Clean Out Fridge/Pantry: Start consuming perishable food items.

Moving Day:

• Supervise Movers: Be present to answer questions and supervise the packing and loading process.
• Final Walk-Through: Do a final walk-through of your old home to ensure nothing is left behind.

Ready to make your move to Peru? Request a free quote today to get started with relocation123.com.

Visas, immigration & documents

Moving to this country often involves visas, residence permits, document translation/legalization and customs paperwork. Our verified partners handle the move itself; for visa or immigration help, send the request below and we'll point you the right way.

• Residence permit / visa (work, study, family)
• Document translation & apostille
• Customs clearance for personal effects
• Travel & goods insurance

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Customs & Import Rules

Moving to Peru: Your Essential Customs & Import Guide

Relocating to a new country can be exciting, and understanding customs procedures is key to a smooth transition. This guide provides a clear overview of importing your belongings into Peru, ensuring you're prepared for your move.

If you're relocating as a new resident

As a new resident, your household goods and personal effects will generally be subject to import duties. Customs officials will assess the value of your items during a physical inspection. To qualify for importing used household goods, you must prove you've lived overseas for at least 13 consecutive months before your last entry into Peru. Short visits to Peru not exceeding 30 consecutive or alternate days within the last year will not interrupt this period.

What you'll need

• Migratory movement record
• Detailed and legible packing list, signed by you and the packing crew leader (must be in Spanish or English)
• Bill of Lading (BL) or Air Waybill (AWB) showing exact net and gross weight, and number of items matching the packing list (must be freighted)
• Notarized Power of Attorney letter addressed to Peruvian Customs
• Photocopy of passport for all family members (information page only)
• Consignee's marriage certificate (if family members have different last names)
• Children's birth certificates (if family members have different last names)
• Cohabitation affidavit (if not married, may be requested)
• Working visa (for foreign citizens)
• Official letter from your employer endorsing your work in Peru (may be used by local agent)

Good to know

• Duties and taxes average 12-30% of the customs-assessed value.
• Customs clearance for sea shipments takes approximately 10-14 days; for air shipments, about 7 days (assuming all documentation is ready before arrival).
• Your BL or AWB must clearly state "Used household goods and personal effects."
• If used household goods and vehicles are in the same container, the BL must clearly describe each and provide detailed weights.
• You must not have used this import benefit in the last 2 years (according to the Import Declaration Form date).
• All shipments are inspected by Peruvian Customs Authorities.

Returning Peruvian residents (Ley de Reinserción Económica y Social para el Migrante Retornado)

Peruvians returning after living abroad for at least 3 years may be eligible for significant duty exemptions under the "Migration Incentive Law" (Law N° 30001). This benefit is valid for 180 days from your entry into Peru or 180 days after receiving your Returned Migrant Card. It can only be used once in a lifetime and is currently valid until July 12, 2026.

What you'll need

• All documents required for general Household Goods (see above)
• Original Returned Migrant Card (obtained from a Peruvian Consulate abroad or the Foreign Affairs Ministry upon arrival in Peru)
• Copy of valid national identity document (DNI)
• Original Migratory Certificate proving residence abroad
• Valued list (using SUNAT-Customs format)
• Sworn Declarations (using SUNAT-Customs formats)

Good to know

• Exemptions apply to:
  • Household goods up to US$ 50,000.00.
  • One new or used motor vehicle (value not exceeding US$ 50,000.00, subject to current regulations).
  • Equipment, machinery, and instruments for business or work use (value not exceeding US$ 350,000.00).
• If your shipment includes professional goods (e.g., machinery, music, or lab equipment), they should have a separate packing list.
• It is your responsibility to meet all requirements for this law.
• All shipments are inspected by Peruvian Customs Authorities.

Diplomatic moves

Foreign representatives of international organizations, members of foreign armed forces on official missions, and diplomats/embassy officers are eligible for duty-free import of household goods. Peruvian diplomats returning from missions abroad also have this right, including one automobile. Shipments are duty-free if their value does not exceed amounts authorized by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

What you'll need

• Notarized Power of Attorney letter addressed to Peruvian Customs
• Original Free Entry Permit issued by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Free entry (Official Release Letter) issued by MOFA, in original (for Peruvian diplomats only)
• Detailed packing list (avoid PBO), transcribed in Spanish or English
• Freight-rated BL or AWB (must be freighted)
• Consignee’s passport data sheet, legalized by a Peruvian notary
• For foreign diplomats: passport data sheet on official embassy/international organization letterhead, stamped and signed by legal representative

Good to know

• Diplomats must obtain their franchise (Free Entry Permit) before the shipment arrives, which takes approximately 3 weeks.
• Do not send your shipment without confirmation from your moving agent at the destination.
• Diplomatic shipments are exempt from physical inspection by Peruvian Customs Authorities.

Inherited belongings

To import inherited items, you'll need to provide specific documentation in addition to the standard household goods requirements. These documents must be endorsed by the Peruvian Consulate at the origin, and a family member will need to coordinate with MOFA for the visa process of the original document.

What you'll need

• All documents required for general Household Goods (see above)
• Copy of the Will
• Death Certificate
• Copy of National Identity Document (DNI), Immigration Card, or passport

Bringing special items

Vehicles

Both new and used vehicles can be imported into Peru, but specific conditions and duties apply. Foreign or Peruvian diplomats' vehicles are duty-free but must be at least one year old. Diesel cars are prohibited.

• Original purchase invoice
• Ownership Certificate
• Freight-rated BL (must be freighted)
• Passport copy data sheet legalized by a notary
• Consignee’s RUC # (VAT’s #)
• Passport number (for diplomatic shipments)
• Gas Emission Certificate (must be obtained in Peru before import process starts)
• Duty Free Resolution issued by Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (for diplomatic vehicles)
• Ficha Tecnica (Technical Automobile Form) must be issued in Peru (extra charge)
• For non-diplomatic consignees: A certificate of mileage from origin is mandatory.

Good to know

• Used cars incur 72% duty on CIF value; new cars incur 45% duty on CIF value. These percentages can change, so reconfirm.
• Vehicles must not be damaged.
• Carbon monoxide emissions should not exceed 9% in volume.
• Automobiles must not be older than two years (model year as reference) and must not have more than 32,000 km traveled (D.S. 005-2020-MTC).
• Returning Peruvian diplomats can import only one car duty-free.

Pets

You can bring your cats and dogs to Peru.

• Power of attorney letter legalized by the pet owner
• Health Certificate

Good to know

• One pet is exempt from taxes and duties.
• More than one pet will incur 30% taxes.

Restricted & prohibited items

• Arms, ammunition, dangerous objects: Require authorization from the Ministry of Interior, original purchase invoice, and a current firearm license. A special permit from "Sucamec" must be requested by the consignee before the goods arrive. These items are subject to taxes.
• Medicines, Narcotics, and Drugs: Small quantities of medicines are generally allowed as part of household goods. A medical prescription may be requested. Narcotics and illegal drugs are prohibited.
• Plants: Not considered household goods.
• Precious metal objects: Do not include jewelry and valuable articles in your general household goods shipment.

Alcohol & tobacco

Alcohol is allowed in limited quantities for non-diplomatic shipments and is subject to significant duties.

• Non-diplomatic shipments:
  • Maximum of 3 liters per shipment.
  • Up to 4 boxes (12 bottles each) for a 20ft container; up to 8 boxes for a 40ft container.
  • Air shipments: consult your moving company.
  • Taxes and duties apply – 50% CIF value (including ISC).
• Foreign diplomats: Prohibited if declared as household goods (as per Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
• Peruvian diplomats: Permitted up to 10 boxes (as per Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

Frequently asked questions

Can I ship new furniture or appliances with my used household goods?
Yes, but brand/manufacturer's original packing is not allowed. They must be repacked by the moving company. For electrical appliances, the packing list must show the brand, serial number, and model.

Are works of art and antiques allowed?
Yes, if part of your household goods. Expert documents/certification may be requested, and an original purchase invoice or supporting document is required.

How long does customs clearance take?
For sea shipments, typically 10-14 days; for air shipments, around 7 days, provided all documentation is complete before arrival.

Do I need to be in Peru for customs clearance?
Yes, the consignee must be present in Peru for clearance.

Are all shipments inspected by Peruvian Customs?
All shipments are inspected by Peruvian Customs Authorities, with the exception of foreign diplomatic shipments.

What are the rules for importing machines, appliances, and spare parts?
These are subject to taxes according to the law and require an insurance letter, original purchase invoice, and a freight-rated BL or AWB. A customs agent is needed for these items.

For personalized assistance with your move to Peru, please contact relocation123.com.

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