Countries · PY
Paraguay: sanctions and trade risk
As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 8 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Paraguay.Lists last checked .
Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓
No elevated country indicator for Paraguay in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in Paraguay may still be on a list.
On the sanctions lists
8 entries on the official lists name Paraguay — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.
| List | Entries | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) | 8 | 8 | — | — |
Latest changes
No new listings or removals naming Paraguay recorded yet.
Related
Logistics profile
Paraguay: logistics and trade
Landlocked country with river logistics / agricultural exporter
Paraguay (ISO code: PY) is a landlocked country in the heart of South America, bordering Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia. It is a presidential republic and a founding member of Mercosur. The climate is subtropical to tropical, with a pronounced rainy season and mild winters. The economy is shaped by agriculture - soy, maize, beef and cereals - and by hydropower from the Itaipu and Yacyreta dams, which makes Paraguay one of the world's largest electricity exporters. Although it has no sea coast, Paraguay operates the third-largest river barge fleet in the world; around 80 percent of its foreign trade moves along the Paraguay-Parana waterway (Hidrovia) to the ports of the Rio de la Plata. Customs and tax administration were merged into the DNIT in 2024; imports are cleared via the SOFIA system, with import VAT of 10 percent. The Mercosur common external tariff applies, and the national currency is the Guarani (PYG).
- Capital
- Asunción
- Population
- 6,417,076
- Area
- 406,752 km²
- Currency
- Paraguayan Guarani (PYG)
- Continent
- South America
- Region
- South America / Mercosur
- Economic area
- Mercosur
- Religions
- Catholic, Protestant, Other
- Access to the sea
- Landlocked
Transport modes Road
- Current situation
- Status 2026: EU-Mercosur Agreement provisionally in force since 1.5.2026; EFTA-Mercosur (incl. Switzerland) signed 16.9.2025, ratification ongoing. Customs and tax administration merged into the DNIT since 2024.
- Seasonal conditions
- Subtropical climate; rainy season October to April. Summer low-water phases (bajante) on the Paraguay River periodically limit navigability of the Hidrovía and thus freight capacity.
Main cargo airports
- Aeropuerto Internacional Silvio PettirossiASU
Silvio Pettirossi (ASU), Luque: Paraguay's main airport and air-cargo gateway. LATAM/Avianca Cargo, freighters to Miami, beef exports.
- Aeropuerto Internacional GuaraníAGT
Guaraní (AGT), Ciudad del Este: Paraguay's dedicated cargo airport, freight-only Terminal B. Asian imports for the free-trade zone, tri-border.
Road corridors
- Route PY02/PY07 Asunción - Ciudad del Este - Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil)
- Asunción - Clorinda/Puerto Falcón (Argentina)
- Bioceanic Corridor through the Chaco towards Chilean Pacific ports
Inland ports
- Villeta (main container river port)
- Puerto de Asunción
- Terport / Caacupemí (Asunción)
- San Antonio
- Pilar
- Ciudad del Este
Main trade lanes
- Paraguay-Paraná Waterway (Hidrovía) - Río de la Plata (Atlantic)
- Paraguay - Brazil (Ciudad del Este)
- Paraguay - Argentina
- Paraguay - EU/EFTA
Customs and import
Customs authority Dirección Nacional de Ingresos Tributarios (DNIT), Gerencia General de AduanasOfficial website ↗
- Import customs system
- Electronic import clearance via the DNIT SOFIA system (General Customs Management, formerly DNA). Declarations submitted by licensed customs agents; Ventanilla Única del Importador (VUI) for additional permits.
- Export customs system
- Export clearance also via SOFIA of the DNIT. Exports mainly move by inland waterway via the Paraguay-Paraná Waterway (Hidrovía) to ports on the Río de la Plata; declarations submitted by licensed customs agents.
- Import VAT
- Import IVA 10 percent standard rate; reduced 5 percent on basic foodstuffs and human medicines (Ley 6380/2019). Collected at import by the DNIT.
- Proofs of origin and trade agreements
- Mercosur member: Mercosur Certificate of Origin for preferences. EU-Mercosur Agreement provisionally applied since 1.5.2026; EFTA-Mercosur Agreement signed 16.9.2025, ratification pending.
- Restricted and prohibited goods
- Subject to authorization, among others: weapons, ammunition, explosives, medicines, chemicals, as well as agricultural and plant goods (SENAVE phytosanitary, SENACSA veterinary). Used vehicles subject to age limits.
Typical import documents
- Commercial invoice (Factura comercial)
- Packing list
- Transport document / Bill of lading (B/L, CRT, AWB)
- Import declaration (Despacho de importación, SOFIA)
- Certificate of origin for preferences
- Health and phytosanitary certificates (SENACSA/SENAVE)
Typical export documents
- Export declaration (Despacho de exportación, SOFIA)
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Transport document (B/L, CRT)
- Mercosur Certificate of Origin
- Phytosanitary and veterinary certificate (SENAVE/SENACSA)
Logistics conditions
- Customs complexity
- Medium
- Customs delays
- Medium
- Port congestion
- Medium
- Dangerous goods relevance
- Medium
- Pharma and cold chain relevance
- Medium to high
- E-commerce relevance
- Low to medium
Trade
Top import partners
Top export partners
Top import goods
- Petroleum products
- Vehicles
- Machinery
- Electronic devices
- Chemical products
Top export goods
- Soybeans
- Beef
- Electricity
- Cereals
- Cotton
Typical cargo
- Soybeans and soybean meal
- Beef (cold chain)
- Grain and maize
- Electricity (Itaipú/Yacyretá)
- Machinery and vehicles (import)
- Fuel (import)
Latest logistics news
- Customs Operation ZAFIRO: Authorities Seize Eleven Small Aircraft10 Sept 2026
19 countries conducted inspections of small and private aircraft. During the operations, eleven aircraft were seized and approximately 1.2 tons of drugs were confiscated.
- Switzerland and 18 Partners Aim to Better Secure Supply Chains19 Jul 2026
Switzerland and 18 partner states aim to better coordinate trade and make supply chains for essential goods more resilient. New members include Peru, South Korea, and Thailand.
- EU Mercosur: New Trade Agreement Opens South America to European Exports24 May 2026
As of May 1, 2026, the EU Mercosur Interim Agreement will be provisionally in force. For freight forwarders, new opportunities are arising on Latin America routes.
Logistics questions
What is the import tax rate in Paraguay?
The IVA (VAT) standard rate is 10 percent. A reduced rate of 5 percent applies to basic foodstuffs and human medicines (Law 6380/2019). The tax is levied on import by the DNIT.
Which authority handles customs in Paraguay?
Since the 2024 merger the Dirección Nacional de Ingresos Tributarios (DNIT) is responsible; its Customs General Management replaced the former DNA. Declarations are filed electronically via the SOFIA system.
How does a landlocked country reach world trade?
Via the Paraguay-Parana waterway: around 80 percent of foreign trade moves by barge to the ports of the Rio de la Plata (Argentina, Uruguay). Paraguay has the world's third-largest river fleet.
Which free-trade agreements apply to Paraguay?
Paraguay is a founding Mercosur member applying the common external tariff. The EU-Mercosur agreement has been provisionally applied since 1 May 2026; the EFTA-Mercosur agreement (including Switzerland) was signed on 16 September 2025 and is not yet ratified.
Which proof of origin is needed for preferences?
For Mercosur preferences the Mercosur Certificate of Origin is used. For third markets the proof depends on the respective agreement. Until end-2038 Paraguay may use higher shares of non-originating inputs for many goods.
Which ports and airports matter for cargo?
The main river ports are Villeta, Asuncion, San Antonio and Pilar. Air freight runs through Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (ASU) in Asuncion and Guarani International Airport (AGT) near Ciudad del Este.
What seasonal risks affect logistics?
The main risk is low water (bajante) on the Paraguay River, which in dry years (e.g. 2021 and 2024) markedly reduces barge loading depth and thus the freight capacity of the waterway.
Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗
Powered by Freight Academy, verified 27 Jun 2026. Logistics information, not a sanctions source.