We are a Japanese exporter shipping used tires by the container. Panama is worth reading even if your own market is somewhere else in the region — the Colón Free Zone is a legitimate way to consolidate a shipment before it splits across several countries.
Colón
We found no WTO notification or customs rule naming used tires as prohibited or restricted. A general clause (Decree-Law No.1, 2008, Article 99) allows customs to refuse goods harmful to health, the environment or public safety — the same standard every market applies in some form, and it means a shipment should be able to show it is reusable product, not scrap.
The Colón Free Zone: a sanctioned re-export hub
The Colón Free Zone (ZLC) is the largest free trade zone in the Americas, with 0% duty on both import and re-export. Unlike some transit arrangements elsewhere in this research, re-export is the ZLC’s stated purpose, actively promoted by Panama’s own investment agency — not a workaround. A single container landed at the ZLC can be split and re-exported across Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America. If you are also looking at El Salvador or the Dominican Republic, which we cover on their own pages, ask us about consolidating through the ZLC. Note that a new declaration requirement took effect 1 April 2026 for cargo leaving the ZLC for re-export — confirm the current procedure with your Panama-side broker.
The ocean route
Balboa, on the Pacific side, and Colón, adjacent to the Free Zone on the Caribbean side, are the two gateways. Tell us if the cargo is destined for the Colón Free Zone specifically.
We load from thirteen Japanese ports — Ishikari, Tomakomai, Hachinohe, Akita, Sendai, Niigata, Kashiwazaki, Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, Kobe and Moji. Which one we use depends on where the stock is collected, not on where you are.
We do not publish transit times, because they depend on the carrier and the routing on the day. Ask us when you enquire and we will give you the schedule we are actually being quoted.
What fits in a container
- Passenger car tires (PCR), 12–17 inch — about 3,500 pieces in a 40ft, loaded 2-in-1 or 3-in-1
- Truck and bus tires (TBR), 11R22.5 single size — 288 pieces in a 40ft
- Mixed PCR and light truck — roughly 2,200 PCR plus 500–550 LT pieces
Full size lists and grading are on the category pages: passenger car tires, truck & bus tires, light truck tires and casings for retreading.
Terms and payment
We quote CIF to your discharge port. Marine insurance is included on every shipment. Freight is normally prepaid in Japan; collect at your end can be arranged if that suits your bank better.
Most customers pay by T/T. For a yearly contract we also work with L/C at sight.
FAQ — importing used tires from Japan to Panama
Is it legal to import used tires into Panama?
We found no rule naming used tires as prohibited or restricted. A general clause allows customs to refuse goods considered harmful to health or the environment, which is a standard every market applies in some form.
What is the Colón Free Zone and why does it matter?
It is the largest free trade zone in the Americas, with 0% duty on import and re-export, actively promoted by Panama as a distribution hub for Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America. A container can be split there and re-exported to multiple countries.
Has anything changed recently?
Yes — a new declaration requirement for cargo leaving the ZLC for re-export took effect 1 April 2026. Confirm the current procedure with your Panama-side broker.
Balboa or Colón?
Colón if the cargo is going into the Free Zone for re-export; Balboa for a Pacific-side routing into the domestic market. Tell us which applies.
What is the minimum order?
One 40ft container.
Request an offer for Panama
Send us your discharge port, the sizes you want and the rough quantity. We reply with a CIF price and the loading schedule.
How the buying process works — from the first enquiry through inspection, loading and documents.
