Peru
Key advice
Peru has accepted ATA Carnets since 2022. This is the optimal solution for a professional photographer bringing a housing and strobes. Without an ATA Carnet, you are limited to 2 amateur cameras within the $500 allowance. Arrange your ATA Carnet with the Cámara de Comercio de Lima before arrival.
- Customs authority
- Superintendencia Nacional de Aduanas y de Administración Tributaria (SUNAT)
- Personal duty-free allowance
- 500 USD
- ATA Carnet
- Accepted
- Official website
- bienvenidoalperu.sunat.gob.pe ↗
Practical scenarios
You're traveling to Peru with a GoPro Hero 11 and its manufacturer's waterproof housing, with a total value of approximately €600. At Peruvian customs (SUNAT), declare your equipment. The duty-free allowance is $500 USD. You might potentially have to pay 12% on the excess $100 USD (approximately $12 USD). The risk is minimal if you declare honestly. Keep your purchase receipts handy.
You arrive in Peru with a Sony A6600 mirrorless camera, an Ikelite housing, and a macro lens, totaling around €3,000. Without an ATA Carnet, this equipment far exceeds the $500 USD allowance and is not considered 'non-professional.' You risk having to pay 12% on the excess (approximately $2500 USD, which is $300 USD) or, worse, having your gear impounded. The best approach is to obtain an ATA Carnet before you depart.
As an expert photographer, you're carrying a complete system: a full-frame mirrorless camera, a Nauticam housing, and two high-end lenses, valued at €12,000. An ATA Carnet is essential. Present it to Peruvian customs (SUNAT) upon arrival and departure. Without an ATA Carnet, your equipment will be considered professional, and you would be subject to very high customs duties (12% on $11,500 USD, totaling $1380 USD) or a temporary entry ban, as it far exceeds tourist exemptions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the customs allowance for camera equipment in Peru?
The customs allowance for travelers entering Peru is $500 USD. Beyond this amount, customs duties of 12% are applied to the excess. Note that only 2 non-professional cameras are permitted within this allowance.
Is an ATA Carnet mandatory for professional photographers in Peru?
For professional photographers carrying expensive equipment (housings, strobes, multiple lenses), an ATA Carnet is highly recommended. It allows for the temporary admission of your equipment without payment of duties or taxes, thus avoiding complications at customs.
Where can I find official information on Peruvian customs regulations?
For detailed and official information on Peruvian customs regulations, particularly regarding allowances and temporary import of goods, consult the official website of the Superintendencia Nacional de Aduanas y de Administración Tributación (SUNAT) directly: https://bienvenidoalperu.sunat.gob.pe.