Shipping to Panama City
Panama City lies on the Pacific side of the isthmus, about 58 km from Colón on the Caribbean coast, where A1's rate ends at the destination warehouse. The transisthmian highway and the canal railway connect the two cities, a short trip the consignee books separately. The lowest rate, USD 5 per cubic foot, applies from Montreal, and the smallest shipment costs USD 441.60. Transit to Colón is about 48 days from Montreal or Toronto and 58 days from Vancouver.
Canadians retiring or relocating to Panama, and businesses restocking stores and offices in the capital, are common shippers. Personal effects are accepted subject to carrier approval; prepare a signed packing list and a copy of your passport. Wood used for pallets or crates has to be ISPM 15 heat-treated, and the unit must be ready when it reaches the Canadian warehouse, because A1 does not palletize. Hire a customs broker or local mover to collect in Colón and drive the cargo across; Panamanian duties, taxes and that delivery are not in A1's price, and destination charges are confirmed by the carrier before you pay.
How a shipment to Panama City works
Panama City is not a destination in the carrier's tariff. The closest priced destination is Colon about 58 km (straight line) from Panama City: the A1 price covers ocean freight from Canada to the destination warehouse (CFS) at Colon. From there the consignee collects the cargo or books the last leg to Panama City with a local trucking company; that delivery, destination customs clearance, duties and taxes are not in the A1 price.
Rates from Canada to Colon
| Destination | From Toronto | From Montreal | From Vancouver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colon | USD 6 / cu ft 48 days · min. USD 476.92 | USD 5 / cu ft 48 days · min. USD 441.60 | USD 8 / cu ft 58 days · min. USD 547.56 |
Example from Montreal: 1 CBM / 200 kg USD 441.60 with all A1 fees. The carrier charges by volume or by weight (1,000 kg per CBM), whichever is greater. From the Prairies the quote adds trucking to Montreal or Vancouver.
Personal effects: Personal effects and household goods are accepted subject to carrier approval: we send your packing list and passport copy to the carrier before you pay.
Documents: a signed packing list and a passport copy for personal effects, a commercial invoice and packing list for commercial cargo. Customs value up to CAD 2,000; cargo palletized or crated on ISPM 15 wood.
Booking: calculate the price above, sign the packing list online and upload your documents; after the carrier confirms the destination charges you pay and receive the labels and delivery instructions for the warehouse. See how to prepare a request.
All destinations and rates: shipping to Panama · shipping destinations A–Z.
Rates valid through December 25, 2026; totals include A1 fees of USD 265.00. Destination charges are confirmed by the carrier, duties and taxes are paid by the consignee, and transit days are the carrier's estimate.