Air Freight from China to San Lorenzo
China → San Lorenzo · via ASU air / Montevideo transit · clearance by Dirección Nacional de Aduanas de Paraguay
For buyers shipping into San Lorenzo, the practical question is not the ocean or flight time but what happens after arrival. San Lorenzo is industrial satellite of Asuncion; cargo enters through ASU air / Montevideo transit, and allow +2 days for the inland leg on top of clearance.
Clearance itself is handled by Dirección Nacional de Aduanas de Paraguay, and typical dwell at the gateway runs 5–12 days.
What the routing looks like in practice
Paraguay is served by the Paraná–Paraguay river barge system from Montevideo or Buenos Aires, one of the longest inland waterway movements used in regular commerce. Ciudad del Este on the Brazilian border operates a re-export regime that has made Paraguay a redistribution point for Chinese consumer electronics into Brazil and Argentina — a genuinely distinctive feature of this lane.
| Air gateways used | ASU (Asunción) |
|---|---|
| Air transit, China to gateway | 5–8 business days |
| Gateway serving San Lorenzo | ASU air / Montevideo transit |
| Inland leg to San Lorenzo | +2 days from the gateway |
| Typical clearance / dwell | 5–12 days |
| Peak season to plan around | Sep–Nov |
Import duty and tax position for San Lorenzo
Dirección Nacional de Aduanas de Paraguay assesses duty and tax on cargo arriving for San Lorenzo consignees. Current regime: IVA 10%; Mercosur common external tariff 0–35%, with a reduced regime for goods re-exported through Ciudad del Este, with a de-minimis position of No practical de-minimis for commercial cargo.
Conformity is the part most first-time importers underestimate: INTN conformity for regulated goods; import registration required. Getting this wrong is expensive because it usually cannot be fixed after the cargo has landed.
Restrictions and known friction points for Paraguay: River barge schedules are seasonal and low water can suspend service. The Ciudad del Este re-export regime has its own tax treatment — confirm which regime applies before quoting.
Before you book: San Lorenzo checklist
- Book earlier than the transit time suggests during Sep–Nov, when space on this lane tightens.
- Compare gross weight against volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 6000) — the higher figure is what gets billed on air and express.
- Use ISPM-15 treated pallets. Untreated wood is the most common reason otherwise-clean cargo gets held.
- Budget for the inland leg: +2 days beyond gateway clearance to reach San Lorenzo.
- Put the San Lorenzo delivery address, contact name and phone number on the invoice, not just the packing list.
- Get the conformity paperwork moving early: INTN conformity for regulated goods; import registration required.
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from China to San Lorenzo take?
China to the Paraguay gateway is 5–8 business days. On top of that, allow 5–12 days of clearance with Dirección Nacional de Aduanas de Paraguay and a +2 days inland leg to San Lorenzo.
What duty and tax will I pay importing into San Lorenzo?
Dirección Nacional de Aduanas de Paraguay applies: IVA 10%; Mercosur common external tariff 0–35%, with a reduced regime for goods re-exported through Ciudad del Este. The de-minimis position is No practical de-minimis for commercial cargo. Under a DDP arrangement these are pre-paid, so nothing is collected on arrival in San Lorenzo.
How is the chargeable weight calculated for San Lorenzo?
We compare actual gross weight against volumetric weight — length × width × height in centimeters divided by 6000 for air — and bill the greater of the two, rounded up to the next kilogram. Light, bulky cargo is almost always billed on volume.
When is the busiest time on the China–Paraguay lane?
Space and rates tighten around Sep–Nov, plus the China-side windows of Chinese New Year in January or February and Golden Week in early October. Book one to two weeks earlier in those periods.
What certification do I need for Paraguay?
For regulated goods, plan for: INTN conformity for regulated goods; import registration required. Missing conformity paperwork is the single most common cause of a hold, and in most cases it cannot be remedied once the cargo has arrived.
Which port or airport does cargo for San Lorenzo clear through?
Cargo for San Lorenzo is routed via ASU air / Montevideo transit. Sea gateways for Paraguay are Landlocked — via Montevideo or Buenos Aires, then Paraná river barge to Asunción; air gateways are ASU (Asunción). We pick whichever gives the shortest total door time for your address.
Other delivery cities in Paraguay
References & official sources
Duty rates, thresholds and conformity requirements for Paraguay change by ministerial decision, sometimes mid-year. The figures on this page are buyer-planning references, not a customs ruling — confirm the current position for your own HS code with Dirección Nacional de Aduanas de Paraguay or your broker before you ship.
- Dirección Nacional de Aduanas
- WTO — Tariff Profiles (applied MFN duty by country)
- World Bank — Logistics Performance Index
- ICC — Incoterms 2020 rules (DDP, DAP, FOB definitions)
- IPPC — ISPM 15 wood packaging standard
- WCO — Harmonized System nomenclature
Page data last reviewed: 10 月 2026.
Shipping by industry
This page covers the route and clearance picture for the destination. Packing, classification and the compliance step that actually holds a shipment depend on what you are sending — these guides cover that by commodity.
- Pipe Fittings Metal Products & Industrial Components
- Generators New Energy, Power & Electrical
- Ceramic Tiles Building Materials & Construction Products
- Paper Packaging Wood, Bamboo & Paper Products
- Packaging Materials Plastics, Rubber & Packaging
- Laboratory Furniture Furniture & Home Products
- Fabric Textiles, Apparel, Footwear & Leather
- Salon Furniture Beauty, Personal Care & Wellness
- Sheet Metal Metal Products & Industrial Components
- Compressors General Machinery & Industrial Equipment
- Electrical Cabinets New Energy, Power & Electrical
- Flooring Building Materials & Construction Products
Checking the Paraguay duty position yourself
Duty and tax figures on this page are planning estimates. The binding assessment is made by Dirección Nacional de Aduanas de Paraguay against your declared HS code at the time of entry; where the amount is material, verify the current rate through ITC Market Access Map before committing to an order.
Most landed-cost surprises trace back to classification rather than freight. the WCO Harmonized System defines the heading structure every customs administration builds on, and ITC Market Access Map will show you the duty a given heading attracts in this destination.
On the air side, anything with a cell or a battery in it, plus liquids, powders, magnets and aerosols, is governed by the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. Those articles are not refused outright, but they need to be declared at booking so the shipment is built correctly — declaring them late is the single most common cause of an air consignment being offloaded.
Watch: the process behind this route
This guide covers routing and clearance for San Lorenzo. The video below covers the wider shipping process that sits around it.
How to find HS Codes and Calculate Import Duty - 5 tips to save on Duties and Tariffs — Sourcing with Kian. Published on YouTube by a third party; we link it because it explains the process well, not because we produced it or endorse the provider.
Customs clearance in Paraguay
Duty and tax position, certification, typical port dwell and what actually holds shipments at this border — plus who files the entry.
Paraguay clearance requirements →