Peru customs rules & duty-free allowances

Last reviewed July 2, 2026·Official source

Peru's customs enforcement focuses on agricultural biosecurity and cash declaration. All travelers must complete a digital customs declaration (DUA) online before arrival. Undeclared food items can result in fines, and cash over USD 10,000 must be declared.

Duty-free allowances

Alcohol
3.0 L
Up to 3 liters of alcoholic beverages in total. Must be 18+. No breakdown by type is specified in official regulations.
Tobacco
400 cigarettes
or 50 cigars / 500 g
Cash to declare
$10,000
Declare if carrying over USD 10,000 or equivalent in any currency (approx. PEN 37,000). Use the digital customs declaration (DUA) before arrival.
Goods duty-free
$500
Duty-free allowance for personal goods and gifts up to USD 500 (approx. PEN 1,850). For goods exceeding this value, a flat 20% duty applies on the excess.

Prohibited — banned from import

  • Narcotics and illegal drugs
  • Firearms and ammunition without a permit
  • Explosives and fireworks
  • Endangered species products (e.g., jaguar skins, sea turtle shells) without CITES permit
  • Counterfeit goods and pirated items
  • Pornographic material

Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration

  • Medications containing controlled substances (require DIGEMID permit)
  • Plants, seeds, and live animals (require phytosanitary or veterinary certificate)
  • Drones (require registration with the Peruvian civil aviation authority, DGAC)
  • Satellite phones (require a permit from the Ministry of Transport and Communications)
  • Cultural artifacts and antiques (require export permit from the Ministry of Culture)

Arriving: red vs green channel

After collecting luggage, proceed to customs. Peru uses a red/green channel system. If you have nothing to declare, go through the green channel. If you have goods exceeding the allowance, cash over USD 10,000, or restricted items, go through the red channel. You must have completed the digital customs declaration (DUA) online before arrival.

Bringing medication

Personal medications for up to 30 days are allowed without a prescription. For longer courses or controlled substances, bring a doctor's prescription in Spanish or English. Some common medications (e.g., certain painkillers containing codeine) are controlled and require a permit from the Peruvian drug authority (DIGEMID).

Food, plants & animal products

All food, plants, seeds, and animal products must be declared. Fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy are generally prohibited unless accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate. Processed and packaged foods for personal consumption are usually allowed in small quantities.

Rules worth knowing

Digital Customs Declaration (DUA) Required

All travellers must complete the digital customs declaration (Declaración Única de Aduanas) online up to 48 hours before arrival. You will receive a QR code to present at customs.

No Duty-Free for Residents Returning

Peruvian residents returning from abroad have a lower duty-free allowance of USD 300 (approx. PEN 1,110) for goods, and stricter limits on alcohol and tobacco.

Strict Agricultural Biosecurity

Peru is highly protective of its agriculture. Any undeclared food, plants, or animal products can result in fines and confiscation. Even a single apple can trigger a penalty.

Frequently asked questions

No, personal electronics like laptops and cameras for your own use are not counted in the USD 500 duty-free allowance. However, if you bring multiple units (e.g., 3 laptops), customs may consider them commercial and charge duty.
Yes, as long as they are for personal use and within the USD 500 allowance. Alpaca wool products are fine, but items made from endangered species (e.g., vicuña without a certificate) are prohibited.
You must pay a flat 20% duty on the value exceeding USD 500. For example, if you bring goods worth USD 700, you pay 20% on USD 200 = USD 40. You must go through the red channel and pay at the customs desk.
No, gifts are included in the USD 500 personal goods allowance. There is no separate gift exemption.
For personal use, up to 30 days' supply is allowed without a prescription. For longer stays, you need a doctor's note. Controlled medications (e.g., for ADHD or pain) require a permit from DIGEMID, which can take weeks to obtain.
No, items purchased at the duty-free shop after security are exempt from customs duties, as long as they are for personal use and within the alcohol/tobacco limits. However, if you buy more than the allowance, you must declare them.
You can retrieve it by logging back into the DUA system with your passport number and date of birth. If you cannot access it, customs officers can look it up manually, but it may cause delays.

Official source

Superintendencia Nacional de Aduanas y de Administración Tributaria (SUNAT)

For guidance only. Customs allowances and prohibited-item lists change without notice — always confirm with Superintendencia Nacional de Aduanas y de Administración Tributaria (SUNAT) before travelling.