Destination guide
Shipping Heavy Equipment to Paraguay
In 2025 the United States reported exporting 215 machines worth $13.9 million to Paraguay in the 15 classes we track, down 9% on 2024. None of the carrier schedules we track lists a direct call in Paraguay, so we confirm the routing with each quote. RoRo service: Limited from the East and Gulf Coast, none from the West Coast. Duty and VAT on a $100,000 CIF excavator come to $10,000, or 10% of its value.
The four ways to ship machinery to Paraguay
Container, flat rack, RoRo and breakbulk, with where each one lands. RoRo availability is by U.S. coast; the other three are booked on the services that run when the cargo is ready.
| Method | From the U.S. | Where it lands, and conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Container | Booked on request | Landlocked: containers discharge at a neighbouring port and continue by rail or truck. Routes: Via Port of Buenos Aires, Via Port of Montevideo. |
| Flat rack | Booked on request | For machines too wide or tall for a closed box. The flat rack discharges at the gateway port and the machine continues on a lowbed or rail flat. Routes: Via Port of Buenos Aires, Via Port of Montevideo. |
| RoRo | Limited from the East and Gulf Coast, none from the West Coast | RoRo runs to the gateway port only[3]; the machine then drives or is trucked inland. Routes: Via Port of Buenos Aires, Via Port of Montevideo. |
| Breakbulk | Liner breakbulk or charter | For cargo too large or heavy for a flat rack. It discharges at the gateway port and moves inland in transit. Routes: Via Port of Buenos Aires, Via Port of Montevideo. |
What the U.S. ships to Paraguay
U.S. exports to Paraguay by machine class, 2025 against 2024, as reported by the United States to UN Comtrade[1]. Units are as declared; the average is customs value divided by units.
| Machine class | Units 2025 | Units 2024 | Change in units | Value 2025 | Average per unit[1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combine harvesters | 51 | 67 | −24% | $7.13 million | $140 thousand |
| Off-highway dump trucks | 110 | 94 | +17% | $3.46 million | $31.4 thousand |
| Wheeled tractors | 22 | 39 | −44% | $1.94 million | $88.1 thousand |
| Self-propelled drill rigs | 2 | 3 | −33% | $448 thousand | $224 thousand |
| Forklifts and telehandlers | 9 | 19 | −53% | $298 thousand | $33.2 thousand |
| Backhoes and other excavating machines | 10 | 3 | +233% | $260 thousand | $26 thousand |
| Diesel generator sets | 2 | 2 | 0% | $150 thousand | $75 thousand |
| Wheel loaders | 4 | 3 | +33% | $87.5 thousand | $21.9 thousand |
| Crawler dozers | 1 | 3 | −67% | $73 thousand | $73 thousand |
| Excavators | 4 | 0 | – | $46 thousand | $11.5 thousand |
| Crushers | 0 | 3 | – | $0 | – |
A dash means the quantity was not reported for that year. Classes the U.S. did not ship here in either year are left out.
Import duty on machinery in Paraguay
The most-favoured-nation (MFN) duty applied to each machine class, as a simple average of the national tariff lines under its HS subheading[2]. Preferential rates under trade agreements can be lower.
| Machine class | HS subheading | MFN applied duty | Range across lines | Tariff year[2] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excavators | 8429.52 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Wheel loaders | 8429.51 | 0.3% | 0–2% | 2023 |
| Crawler dozers | 8429.11 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Motor graders | 8429.20 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Backhoes and other excavating machines | 8429.59 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Crawler and rough-terrain cranes | 8426.41 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Forklifts and telehandlers | 8427.20 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Off-highway dump trucks | 8704.10 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Wheeled tractors | 8701.93 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Crawler tractors | 8701.30 | 2% | – | 2023 |
| Combine harvesters | 8433.51 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Self-propelled drill rigs | 8430.41 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Crushers | 8474.20 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Diesel generator sets | 8502.13 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Truck-mounted cranes | 8705.10 | 2.5% | 0–5% | 2023 |
The range shows the lowest and highest line within the subheading; a dash means every line has the same rate.
Worked example: a $100,000 excavator
Import duty: 0% of $100,000 CIF is $0 (HS 8429.52, 2023 tariff)[2].
IVA: 10% of the duty-inclusive $100,000 is $10,000 (Dirección Nacional de Aduanas (Paraguay), checked June 2026)
Total duty and tax: $10,000, or 10% of CIF.
- Excise, port charges, broker fees and any registration tax are extra. The final rate depends on the exact tariff line your broker declares.
Vehicles and other taxes
Paraguay is landlocked; cargo routes via Buenos Aires or Montevideo and up the Paraná river or overland. It applies a Mercosur tariff plus 10% VAT (IVA) — one of the lower VAT rates in the region. Used cars over 10 years old are restricted.
Source: Dirección Nacional de Aduanas (Paraguay), checked June 2026.
- Import duty: Mercosur CET / tariff by type (confirm by HS code)
- VAT: IVA 10%
- Other charges: Customs dispatch and registration charges
Rules for used machinery in Paraguay
Used vehicles over 10 years old are banned, but used construction machinery and tractor-trucks over 20 t are exempt from any age limit. Ley 7565/2025 caps used agricultural machinery at 5 years and requires a prior licence, SENAVE phytosanitary inspection and technical checks.
- Age limit: Used vehicles over 10 years old (year of manufacture to dispatch at origin) are prohibited. Used agricultural machinery, used construction machinery and tractor-trucks over 20 t capacity are exempt from the age limit.[4]
- Age limit: Used agricultural machinery, equipment and implements, including tractors, harvesters and sprayers, may be imported only if no more than 5 years old from the year of manufacture.[5]
- Licence or permit: Imports of used agricultural machinery need a Licencia Previa de Importación. The importer must be enrolled in the Registro de Importadores de Maquinarias Usadas at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.[5]
- Inspection: Used farm machinery must be free of soil, plant debris and pests, cleaned at origin and destination, and carry a cleaning declaration, treatment certificate and origin phytosanitary certificate. SENAVE and vehicle technical inspections are required before clearance.[5]
- Conformity: Used agricultural machinery needs a certified independent pre-shipment inspection of the machine, engine and odometer, plus a declaration of hours used. Emissions must be within MADES limits. Machines with engine or odometer tampering or rollover history are prohibited.[5]
Documents for Paraguay
The papers a machinery shipment to Paraguay usually needs at destination. Your consignee and their customs broker confirm the list for the exact cargo.
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Bill of Lading
- Certificate of Origin
- Transit Documentation
- Import Declaration
- Equipment Specifications
U.S. export rules
What every shipment from the U.S. has to clear before it sails, whatever the destination.
- Electronic Export Information (15 CFR 30)U.S. Census Bureau
Electronic Export Information is filed in AES for each Schedule B number worth more than $2,500 going to one consignee on one conveyance, and for every vehicle whatever its value. For vessel cargo it is due at least 24 hours before loading; the Internal Transaction Number (ITN) goes to the carrier with the booking.[6][7]
Applies to: Any Schedule B line over $2,500, and every vehicle
- Used self-propelled vehicles: 72-hour ruleU.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. regulations count self-propelled construction and agricultural machinery as vehicles. A used one must be filed in AES at least 72 hours before export, whatever its value or destination, and the ITN, the VIN or serial number and the ownership documents go to CBP at the port of export. Filing after departure is not allowed.[8][9][7]
Applies to: Used machines that drive: excavators, loaders, dozers, tractors, trucks
- ISPM 15 wood packagingIPPC, administered in the U.S. by USDA APHIS
Wood packaging and dunnage must be heat-treated to a core temperature of 56 °C for at least 30 minutes, or fumigated, and carry the IPPC mark with the US country code, the facility number and HT or MB. Marked wood can be reused; repaired or remanufactured wood must be treated and marked again.[10]
Applies to: Crates, skids, blocking and dunnage
- Export classification under the EAR (ECCN or EAR99)BIS (U.S. Department of Commerce)
An item subject to the EAR is either listed on the Commerce Control List under an Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) or classified EAR99, the basket for items not listed. The ECCN’s reasons for control, read against the Commerce Country Chart, decide whether the destination needs a license. An EAR99 item rarely needs one, but no item, EAR99 included, may go to a person under a denial order or to a prohibited end use or end user without BIS authorization.[11][12][13]
Applies to: Every export of goods subject to the Export Administration Regulations
Clearance notes for Paraguay
- Plan the river-barge (Paraná) or overland leg from Buenos Aires/Montevideo.
- Paraguay is a relatively active used-import market within Mercosur limits.
Questions buyers ask
How much heavy equipment does the U.S. ship to Paraguay?
U.S. exporters reported 215 machines worth $13.9 million to Paraguay in 2025 across 15 machine classes, down 9% on 2024. The largest class by value was combine harvesters, at $7.13 million. Figures are U.S. export declarations reported to UN Comtrade.
How long does shipping from the U.S. to Paraguay take?
None of the carrier schedules we track lists a direct call in Paraguay. Cargo moves on container lines, usually through a transshipment hub, or on a RoRo or breakbulk sailing to Via Port of Buenos Aires; we confirm the current routing and transit with each quote.
Can I ship machinery to Paraguay by RoRo?
RoRo service: Limited from the East and Gulf Coast, none from the West Coast. RoRo suits machines that drive or tow on board. Ports that take RoRo cargo: Via Port of Buenos Aires, Via Port of Montevideo. Where RoRo does not run, machines ship on flat racks or as breakbulk.
What duty and VAT apply to a used excavator in Paraguay?
The MFN duty on excavators averages 0% of CIF, and IVA is 10% on the duty-inclusive value. On a $100,000 CIF excavator that comes to $10,000 before excise, port and broker charges.
Which rules apply to used machinery in Paraguay?
Used vehicles over 10 years old are banned, but used construction machinery and tractor-trucks over 20 t are exempt from any age limit. Ley 7565/2025 caps used agricultural machinery at 5 years and requires a prior licence, SENAVE phytosanitary inspection and technical checks.
Which documents do I need to ship to Paraguay?
A shipment to Paraguay usually needs: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin, Transit Documentation, Import Declaration, Equipment Specifications. From the U.S., the export filing (EEI) goes in before loading, and titled machines need their title at the port 72 hours before export.
Export checklist (PDF)
A one-page checklist with the facts on this page for shipping Paraguay: methods, duty, rules and documents. Give it to your customs broker.
Download the checklistSources
Every figure on this page comes from the documents below, each checked on the date shown. Carriers and authorities revise them, so we confirm the current figure when we book.
- [1]World Bank WITS, UN Comtrade: exports reported by the United States, checked October 18, 2026
- [2]UNCTAD TRAINS via World Bank WITS: MFN applied tariff, checked October 18, 2026
- [3]Höegh Autoliners, Main trade routes (Annual Report 2023), checked October 18, 2026
- [4]Ley N° 4333 (modifica Ley 2018/02) – Biblioteca y Archivo Central del Congreso, checked October 2026
- [5]Ley N° 7565/2025 – maquinaria agrícola usada (BACN), checked October 2026
- [6]eCFR, 15 CFR 30.37 Miscellaneous exemptions (Foreign Trade Regulations), checked October 18, 2026
- [7]U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Regulations FAQs, checked October 18, 2026
- [8]eCFR, 19 CFR 192.1 Definitions (used self-propelled vehicles), checked October 18, 2026
- [9]U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Exporting used self-propelled vehicles, checked October 18, 2026
- [10]USDA APHIS, Export ISPM 15-compliant wood packaging material, checked October 18, 2026
- [11]eCFR, 15 CFR 734.3 Items subject to the EAR (EAR99), checked October 18, 2026
- [12]eCFR, 15 CFR 738.4 Determining whether a license is required, checked October 18, 2026
- [13]eCFR, 15 CFR 732.3 Steps regarding the ten general prohibitions, checked October 18, 2026
Send us the machine and the destination
Give us the model or the measured dimensions and weight. We come back with the method, the sailing and a price, and the figures behind them.