What you can & can’t bring into Peru

Customs rules can be confusing, especially when traveling to a country for the first time. To help you arrive in Peru well prepared, this guide explains what you can bring into the country - and what you should better leave at home - helping you save time, money, and unnecessary stress at customs.

Before traveling to Peru, take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the country’s customs regulations. This article provides a clear overview of which items are allowed tax- and duty-free, which are restricted, and which are prohibited.

Table of contents

• Personal items that can be brought into Peru
• Medication, supplements, and medical devices that can be brought into Peru
• Electric and electronic devices incl. accessories that can be brought into Peru
• Other items that can be brought into Peru
• Food that can be brought into Peru
• Cigarettes, vapes and alcohol that can be brought into Peru
• Bringing Money into Peru
• Bringing Pets into Peru
• Restricted and prohibited items when entering Peru
• Peruvian Customs Declaration Form / Bienvenido al Perú Customs App

Please note that the regulations below only apply to items entering Peru with a traveler - be it a tourist, foreign resident, or Peruvian - as accompanied luggage . If you ship items to Peru, different regulations apply; these are briefly explained at the end of this article.

Also be aware that all items brought into Peru tax- and duty-free must be for personal use or consumption and must not exceed normal household quantities.

Personal items that can be brought into Peru tax- and duty-free

• Clothes for personal use
• Suitcases, bags and backpacks containing personal belongings
• Toiletry for personal use
• Other personal items and jewelry for personal use
• Books, magazines, newspapers and documents for personal use

Medication, supplements and medical devices that can be brought into Peru tax- and duty-free

• Medication for personal use only (except medication containing narcotics, which may be restricted or prohibited in Peru)
• Vitamins and dietary supplements for personal use only
• Aids and appliances for personal mobility and medical control (wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, blood pressure or glucose meters, nebulizers, thermometers, etc.)
• Even though medical marijuana was legalized in Peru in 2017, your medical marijuana prescription from another country won’t be accepted in Peru. So, a big no to bringing cannabis leaves, stems and flowers into Peru. A grey area is still cannabis derivatives such as CDB Oil or even Hemp powder, even though both are readily available in Peru and most probably no-one will care when entering the country with small amounts for personal use.

Even though medical marijuana was legalized in Peru in 2017, prescriptions issued abroad are not recognized in Peru. Bringing cannabis leaves, stems, or flowers into Peru is strictly prohibited.

Cannabis derivatives such as CBD oil or hemp powder remain a legal grey area. Although these products are readily available in Peru and small quantities for personal use are usually not an issue when entering the country, they are not explicitly regulated for import. To avoid any inconveniences or even serious trouble we highly recommend not bringing these. 

Electric and electronic devices incl. accessories that can be brought into Peru tax- and duty-free

• 2 cellphones (1 cellphone for minors aged 7-18)
• 1 laptop
• 1 tablet or 1 digital organizer
• 2 conventional or digital cameras
• 1 video camera or camcorder (portable and not for professional use)
• 1 radio or audio player/recorder (portable and not for professional use)
• 1 CD / DVD player (portable)
• 1 video game device (portable) including up to 10 games
• 2 external hard disc drives
• 4 USB sticks
• 4 memory cards for devices brought at the same time
• 10 rolls of camera film and 10 video cassettes for devices brought at the same time
• 20 CDs or 10 DVDs
• 1 portable calculator
• 2 electric hair dryers or hair straighteners
• 1 electric shaver
• Drones (must be declared - see "Restricted items" below)

Other items that can be brought into Peru tax- and duty-free

• 1 (set of) sporting equipment for personal use
• 1 musical instrument (portable)
• Other articles for personal use, consumption or as gifts with a total value of up to US$500.
• For electric or electronic devices, tools, or other personal equipment not listed above, only one item per category may be brought in tax- and duty-free, as long as the total value does not exceed US$ 500.
  
  • If the value exceeds US$500 or above mentioned allowed quantities, items must be declared.
  • If the value is between US$ 500 and US$ 1,000, items must be declared and a 12% duty applies.
  • If the value exceeds US$ 1,000, items must be declared and the regular import duty applies.

Foreign residents and Peruvians should note that the maximum annual value of declared items is US$ 3,000.

As customs officers can be quite creative assigning a value to items, it’s strongly recommended to bring purchase receipts.

If you fail to declare items that must be declared and are caught, you face the regular duty plus a fine of 50% of the customs value.

Food that can be brought into Peru

The following food items can be brought into Peru without an import permit from Senasa (the Peruvian National Agrarian Health Service), provided they are:

• in normal household quantities
• correctly labeled
• unopened
• commercially packed or hermetically sealed
• not originating from countries with sanitary restrictions.

Allowed items include:

• Cooked sausages and other cooked meat products
• Cooked or cured ham
• Matured and processed cheese
• Canned food
• Pasteurized milk products
• Processed honey

Fresh animal products - such as raw meat or fresh cheese - and most fresh fruits and vegetables are restricted items. To bring them into Peru, an export sanitary certificate from the country of origin and a special import permit from Senasa are required.

Cigarettes, vapes and alcohol

Cigarettes & tobacco that can be brought into Peru tax- and duty-free

• 20 packs of cigarettes (max. 400 cigarettes), or
• 50 cigars, or
• 250 grams tobacco (travelers older than 18 years)

For shisha (hookah) tobacco, normal tobacco regulations apply, as long as it doesn't contain cannabis or opium.

Vapes, e-liquids & pods

E-cigarettes, e-liquids and pods are not explicitly regulated. Bringing one or two devices, small amounts of liquid and a few pods is generally not a problem.

Alcohol that can be brought into Peru tax- and duty-free

• Up to 3 liters of alcoholic beverages (travelers must be over 18)
• Any beverage named “Pisco” not produced in Peru is prohibited.

Bringing Money into Peru

• Amounts over US$ 10,000 or the equivalent in any other currency must be declared when entering or leaving Peru.
• Carrying more than US$ 30,000 or the equivalent in any other currency when entering or leaving Peru is prohibited.
• If you opt to not declare amounts over US$ 10,000 and are caught, expect to pay a 30% fine on the amount you carry with you, If you are caught with amounts over US$ 30,000 expect that amounts over the US$ 30,000 are confiscated and you are fined 30% on the rest.

If you carry more than US$ 10,000, download the “Bienvenido al Perú” app (available on Android and iOS) and follow the instructions. Proof of the origin of the funds is recommended.

Failure to declare amounts over US$ 10,000 may result in a 30% fine. Amounts exceeding US$ 30,000 may be confiscated, with an additional fine applied.

Bringing Pets into Peru, including requirements

Senasa, the Peruvian National Agrarian Health Service, considers only dogs and cats as pets. Per person, only one pet may be brought into Peru tax-free as accompanied luggage (in cabin or as checked baggage), as air cargo or by land.

Peru does not quarantine dogs and cats that meet the following requirements:

• Certificate of Good Health issued by an official veterinarian in the home country within 14 days before entering Peru
• Proof of vaccinations:
  • Dogs and cats: Rabies, vaccinated between 21 days and 12 months before entry. (Peru does not recognize 2- or 3-year rabies vaccines.)
  • Additionally, for dogs: Parvovirus, Distemper, Hepatitis, and Leptospirosis
  • Additionally, for cats: Panleukopenia (FVRCP), Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis and Calicivirus
• Recent proof of veterinary treatment against internal and external parasites

These requirements also apply to emotional support and service dogs and cats.

Peru does not require a special import permit for dogs and cats (except for unvaccionated puppies and kittens under 12 weeks), a pet microchip or rabies titer test and there is no a banned breeds list.

Upon arrival at the airport or Peruvian border, pet owners must proceed with their pet to the Senasa office and pay two fees:

• Examination fee (equivalent to 1.973% of an UIT): approx. S/ 108 (2026)
• Entry permit fee (equivalent 0.729% of an UIT): approx. S/ 40 (2026)

Senasa officals then usually check the health certificate, vaccination certificates and parasite treatment certificate and take a quick look at the dog or cat.

• If the documentattion is in order and the pet’s health seems good, the pet can enter.
• If the documentation isn't in order or the health condition isn't satisfactory, further veterinary checks, treatment, quarantine, or return to the country of origin may be ordered.

Other animals that might be considered pets in other countries, such as birds, rodents and rabbits, fish, reptiles, etc., require an export sanitary certificate from the country of origin and a special import permit from Senasa.

Animals listed under CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, require special authorization to be brought into Peru.

Above mentioned recommendations are given to our best knowledge reflecting the current Peruvian regulations. As regulations sometimes change quickly and without prior notice, we highly recommend to verify requirements shortly before travel with Senasa or the nearest Peruvian consulate. 

Restricted and prohibited items when entering Peru

The official list of restricted and prohibited items is long, but most items on it are surely nothing a normal traveler would carry around. So here just a few items that you might consider bringing into the country that are on the list.

Restricted Items

Restricted items may require declaration, payment of duty, or special permits. These include, but are not limited to:

• Items exceeding allowed quantities or values - declare upon arrival and pay duty
• Items not intended for personal use - declare upon arrival and pay duty
• Pets other than one dog or one cat, other animals and animals listed under CITES - get in contact with the nearest Peruvian consulate and/or Senasa
• Veterinary products and pet food/animal feed - get in contact with the nearest Peruvian consulate and/or Senasa
• Plants and plant products - get in contact with the nearest Peruvian consulate and/or Senasa
• Cultural objects and archaeological artifacts - get in contact with the nearest Peruvian consulate and/or the Ministry of Culture
• Weapons and ammunition - get in contact with the nearest Peruvian consulate and/or Sucamec / Discamec
• Drones 
  • Over the past years, regulations to bring drones into Peru were eased. So today drones under 2 kg for recreational use and air sports no longer require a special license from MTC (Ministry of Transport and Communication), but must be declared upon entry (download the App "Bienvenido al Perú" which is available on iOS and Android, follow the instructions and fill in required fields; once arriving in Peru proceed to customs at your point of entry; see below under "Bienvenido al Perú Customs App").
  • A deposit of 18% of the value is required and refunded upon departure.
  • Failing to declare your drone may resulte in a hefty fine.
  • Travelers get a temporary operations license and can use the drone during their stay in the country for recreational purposes.
  • Commercially used drones require a special permit issued by MTC’s Directorate for Civil Aviation (DGCA).
  • Be aware that flying drones over or near archaeological sites (except you apply for another special permit at the Ministry of Culture or on site), military bases and airports (maintain at least 4 km distance) is prohibited.
  • Without yet another special permit, the drone is prohibited from throwing or dropping any objects.
  • Keep your distance as well from roads, train tracks, persons and buildings.

Prohibited Items

Then there are items you just aren’t allowed to bring into the country. If you are caught with them, they will be seized and you may be fined or worse.

These include, but aren't limited to:

• Drugs, narcotics and medication containing narcotics
• Fireworks
• Used clothing and shoes due to amount and value not considered for personal use
• Any beverage named “Pisco” not produced in Peru
• Weapons or ammunition
• Used car spare parts
• Certain pesticides and other chemicals

Peruvian Customs Declaration Form / Bienvenido al Perú Customs App

Since June 2022, the good old customs declaration form has served its time and was replaced by the "Bienvenido al Perú" app, available on iOS and Android. It provides information about the most important regulations in English and Spanish and allows travelers to declare items or money

While below in the attachment section you still find the old custom declaration form and currency declaration form, as they show in short quite clearly which items must be declared and which not, helpful as well is the Bienvenido al Peru website with excellent, detailed information in Spanish and English. Be aware that it's up to you to inform yourself and then do the right thing:

• If you have nothing to declare: proceed through immigration, collect your luggage, and exit.
• If you have items or cash to declare: complete the declaration in the app within 48 hours before arrival and proceed to customs upon entry.

Be aware: Failure to declare dutiable items results in a 50% fine of their customs value; failure to declare cash over US$ 10,000 results in a 30% fine.

Be aware that above regulations apply only to items brought into the country as accompanied luggage. Items sent to Peru by the normal postal service (Serpost) or a courier service, are subject to different rules and often higher duties or outright prohibitions. For example, shipments to Peru containing new and used clothes and shoes as well as medication and vitamins are prohibited (special permits required for commercial import). Or on shipments to Peru containing electric and electronic devices hefty duties apply.

Please note: LimaEasy is not a Peruvian government agency, public authority, or law firm. The information provided is based on our best knowledge and is intended as general guidance to help you understand Peruvian regulations and procedures. Regulations, requirements, and processes may change at any time and without prior notice, so we recommend verifying details with the relevant authorities before acting on this information.

And last but not least: If you notice any inaccuracies or outdated information on this page, please help us keep this guide up to date by leaving a comment below or contacting us via our contact form. Thank you for your support!