Practical Guide
How to import from China to Paraguay: the complete guide
China is by far the top source of Paraguayan imports — and yet Paraguay has no diplomatic relations with Beijing. That counterintuitive combination is the first thing to understand before setting up an import operation. Here's the complete process, step by step.
Contents
The Paraguay-China-Taiwan relationship, explained
Paraguay diplomatically recognizes Taiwan (Republic of China) rather than the People's Republic of China. It's a position Paraguay has held for decades, and one that sets it apart as the only South American country with that stance.
In practice, this creates an important asymmetry: Paraguay can and does import from China — at large scale, with over US$6,000 million imported in 2025, a record figure equivalent to more than a third of the country's total imports — because private goods trade doesn't depend on formal diplomatic relations. But Paraguay cannot export directly to China, because the Chinese government doesn't officially trade with countries that recognize Taiwan. Paraguay's main export products (soybeans, beef) have no direct access to the Chinese market for this reason.
This situation is an active foreign-policy topic: in 2026 there were new signals of discussion about a possible trade relationship with China, though the Paraguayan government has been clear it won't accept conditioning that relationship on breaking ties with Taiwan. It's a front that could change, so it's worth following the news if your business depends specifically on exporting to China.
For anyone who only wants to import (which is the vast majority of cases), this diplomatic situation isn't an operational barrier: there's no preferential trade agreement between Paraguay and China that lowers tariffs (as there is, for example, within MERCOSUR), so imports from China pay the general tariff under the Common External Tariff, the same as imports from any other origin without a preferential agreement.
Step-by-step process
- 1. Sourcing and negotiation with the supplier: defining the product, quantity, price and the Incoterm of the deal (see our Incoterms guide). FOB and FCA are the most common for purchases from Chinese factories.
- 2. Supplier verification: especially on the first order, it's worth validating the factory (not just an intermediary/trading company), requesting samples and, for large purchases, hiring a pre-shipment quality inspection.
- 3. Tariff classification (HS code): defining the 8-digit code for the product before closing the order, to know what tariff it will pay and avoid surprises.
- 4. Booking space and hiring freight: with a forwarder, deciding whether consolidated cargo (LCL) or a full container (FCL) makes sense based on volume — see the logistics guide to calculate your CBM.
- 5. Production and transport to the port in China: 1 to 3 days from the factory to the departure port (Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen and Qingdao are the most used for cargo to South America), plus the actual production time, which varies by product.
- 6. Sea transit: between 30 and 45 days of sailing to a South American port, typically Buenos Aires or Paranaguá.
- 7. Land transport to Asunción: from the discharge port to the destination in Paraguay, a landlocked country.
- 8. Customs clearance in Paraguay: final tariff classification, payment of duties and release of the goods — handled by a broker licensed with the DNIT.
Routes and shipping times
| Mode | Estimated door-to-door time | When it makes sense |
|---|---|---|
| Sea FCL (full container) | 45–60 days | Large volumes (from roughly 15 m³), better cost per unit |
| Sea LCL (consolidated cargo) | 45–60 days (similar to FCL, plus consolidation/deconsolidation time) | Small or medium volumes, first-time imports |
| Air | 7–15 days door-to-door (4–8 days port-to-port only) | Urgency, high-value low-volume goods |
Since Paraguay is a landlocked country, virtually all sea cargo arrives at a port in a neighboring country and completes the journey by land transport. Buenos Aires and Paranaguá are the most-used ports; transit through the port of Santos (Brazil) tends to be somewhat faster than routes through Chilean ports. From the discharge port, the final leg to Asunción is done by truck — usually a semi-trailer with a container chassis if the cargo is FCL.
Tariffs and import costs
Since there's no preferential trade agreement between Paraguay and China, imports from China pay the MERCOSUR Common External Tariff (CET), the same general scheme that applies to any country without a specific agreement: 14 levels ranging from 0% to 35% depending on the product's tariff classification, calculated on the CIF value (goods value + international freight + insurance).
In addition to the tariff, you need to budget for import VAT (10% in Paraguay) and, depending on the product, customs and port service fees. It's always worth requesting a total landed-cost calculation before closing the order, not just looking at the supplier's FOB price.
Required documentation
- Commercial Invoice: issued by the Chinese supplier, with the description, quantity and value of the goods.
- Packing List: detail of how the cargo is packed — packages, weights and volumes.
- Bill of Lading: the sea transport document, issued by the shipping line or the forwarder.
- Certificate of origin: doesn't grant a tariff benefit in China's case (since there's no preferential agreement), but may still be required as part of the general documentation.
- Active tax ID and a company incorporated in Paraguay: to operate as a regular importer before the DNIT. If you don't have a company yet, it can be set up as part of the same process of launching the operation.
Common mistakes when importing from China for the first time
- Not verifying the supplier: placing the first large order without requesting samples or validating that the factory really exists, beyond a website or a B2B platform profile.
- Underestimating the total timeline: between production, sea transit and clearance, the full process usually exceeds 60 days from placing the order until the goods are available in Asunción — stock needs to be planned with that horizon in mind.
- Not calculating the total cost before closing the order: looking only at the FOB price in China without adding freight, insurance, tariffs, VAT and local costs leads to underestimating the real cost and the deal not adding up.
- Misclassifying the product: an incorrect tariff classification can mean overpaying, or cause delays and issues if customs detects the discrepancy.
- Assuming there's some tariff benefit for Chinese origin: there isn't. Since there's no Paraguay-China trade agreement, the applicable tariff is the general CET rate, the same as for any other origin without a preferential agreement.
Let's set up your first import from China
Take the free assessment and we'll help you calculate the real cost of your import, choose the right Incoterm and handle customs clearance, no strings attached.
Get a free assessmentFrequently asked questions
Can you import from China to Paraguay despite there being no diplomatic relations?
Yes, without a problem. Private import trade doesn't depend on formal diplomatic relations existing. In fact, China is the top source of Paraguayan imports, with over US$6,000 million imported in 2025.
Can Paraguay export to China?
Not directly. China doesn't officially trade with countries that recognize Taiwan, and Paraguay is one of the few countries in the world (the only one in South America) that holds that diplomatic position. This affects Paraguayan exports, especially soybeans and beef, but not imports.
Is there any preferential tariff for importing from China?
No. Since there's no trade agreement between Paraguay and China, Chinese imports pay the general MERCOSUR Common External Tariff rate, the same as any origin without a preferential agreement.
How long does an import from China to Paraguay take to arrive?
By sea, between 45 and 60 days door-to-door, including transit to a South American port (typically Buenos Aires or Paranaguá) and land transport to Asunción. By air, between 7 and 15 days door-to-door.
Do I need a company incorporated in Paraguay to import?
Yes, to operate as a regular importer before the DNIT you need a local company with an active tax ID. If you don't have one yet, it can be set up as part of the same process of launching your import operation.
This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, customs or commercial advice. Tariffs, transit times, and the diplomatic and trade situation between Paraguay and China can change — always verify current information with a customs broker before making a decision. Sources consulted: 2026 news coverage of the Paraguay-China-Taiwan trade and diplomatic relationship, and transit-time data from logistics operators specialized in the China-Paraguay route, reviewed in July 2026.