fbpx Skip to main content

The Colon Free Zone in Panama

La Panamanian Free Zone It is the most important in the Latin American continent and the second in the world, where you can enjoy some tax benefits such as tax exemption on the prices of products that you import outside of Panama, giving you greater profitability at the lowest cost and in the shortest possible time. ; It is located in the city of Colón on the Caribbean coast; With an area of ​​more than 1.064 hectares and around 2.649 companies established in it, you can find services and centers for the importation, storage, assembly, packaging and re-export of products to any part of the world. Its imports mainly come from China, the United States and Singapore, always as a destination for the rest of the American continent. Columbus has the Puerto Cristobal, operated by the Panama Ports Company (PPC), one of the most active in the region. Purchase original products from major brand licensees for all of Latin America such as Playboy, Guess, Disney, Skechers, Maxwell, Stanley, Goodyear, Hamilton Beach, Conair, Black & Decker, Oster, Rockford Fosgate, Victoria's Secret, Nike and many more. others more.

The Government of the Republic of Panama establishes it as an autonomous institution, which is operated and administered by its board of directors, an executive committee and the general manager of the institution.

How to buy wholesale?

There are 2 ways to buy wholesale merchandise in Panama from the varied catalog of products; one is by visiting their sales rooms / showroom in Colón and the other is by contacting them online by email, social networks or whatsapp, for the second we recommend you visit the official business directory @dizolicol, in which you will find information on the wholesalers that make sales to all of Latin America and the Caribbean from ZOLICOL.

The opening hours of the wholesale stores are from Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (GMT-5) only some stores open on Saturday noon and you must be aware of the Panamanian national dates in which none open. Some distribution companies have retail sales to their retail visitors since it is a place of companies for wholesalers.

Products that are sold in the Free Zone of Panama

La Panamanian Free Zone offers a wide range of services and products to businesses and consumers around the world, some of the services and products that can be found include:

World Expo Fair of the Colon Free Zone

La Trade Fair for Wholesalers Its objective is to provide an excellent opportunity to meet the companies located in the Free Zone and the representatives of the main brands that distribute products from Panama to different Latin American countries. At the fair, visitors will be able to obtain information about the products and services offered, as well as learn about the logistics options available for the transportation of their purchases. In short, the fair is an excellent place to establish business contacts that could lead to future purchases. In addition, many exhibitors offer discounts and special promotions to visitors, so many unique opportunities can still be taken advantage of during your visit.

Where is the Free Zone of Panama?

Located on the Caribbean coast of Panama, near the Atlantic entrance of the Panama Canal in the province of Colón; surrounded by four ports specialized in the transport of containerized cargo, two cruise terminals, an international airport and a railway terminal.

The distance between Panama City and Colon is approximately 73,5 km with an estimated time of trip between 58-90 minutesEverything will depend on where you are and the type of transport you choose. exist various ways to reach ZOLICOLSelect the one that best suits your budget.

How to get from Panama City to Colon?

By Car [Private / Rented]

Going by private or rented car is the best option because you must move within the Free Zone to visit the different stores, since it is a large commercial area and has different entry routes; for this you must take the North Corridor, in which an average fee of about US$ 2.50 must be paid by toll. This consists of a road that goes from Panama to Chilibre or vice versa. It can also be the Transisthmian road, through which you can reach the Free Zone in approximately 45 minutes.

By Taxi / Microbuses / Uber / Cabify

You can take a taxi from the outskirts of your hotel, minibuses from private tourist companies or hire the transport service through mobile applications such as Uber or Cabify; In general, a taxi will charge you approximately US$ 60 for a one-way trip and our recommendation is that you always agree on the rate with the taxi driver before taking the service to avoid misunderstandings.

By bus

Go to the Albrook Bus Terminal, which is part of the Albrook Shopping Center in Panama City. From there you can take a bus to Colón, the departure frequency is 30 min, for a cost of US$ 3.15 for the one-way trip and you must also purchase the Rapi Pass card at the terminal to move within it for a cost of US$ 2. Although the Colón Bus Terminal is relatively close, for your convenience it is better to take a taxi that will take you to the entrance of the Free Zone, it is located on Calle 14 and Avenida Bolívar and has a frequency of 30 min departure to Panama City

By Railroad "Panama Canal Railway Company"

The Panama Railroad makes a daily trip from Monday to Friday, from Panama City to Colon departing from the Corozal Passenger Station at 7:15AM and returning at 5:15PM from the Colon 2000 Cruise Port, with a trip approximately 1 hour. It is not necessary to purchase tickets in advance and you can buy them at each station for a cost of US$25 per one-way trip for adults, US$15 for children and US$17.50 for retirees.

shopping tour per day

The tourist agencies offer a Shopping Tour / Excursions, in which they pick up the tourist at their hotel and take them to the province of Colón to make their retail purchases or wholesale orders in ZOLICOL, all in a "Full Day" and at the end of the day they take you back to the hotel or hostel where you are staying. They last approximately 8 hours and the cost varies depending on the agency they hire. You can find packages per person from $80 and up that include transportation and charge a fee for each additional person.

How can I enter the Colon Free Zone?

To enter to buy you must request a circulation pass and it will depend on the category in which you are. The passes area is located by the main entrance on the Roosevelt Avenue with 13 Colon Street, there they will provide you with the pass forms for entry as well as clarify all your doubts. If you arrive by Cruise at Puerto Colon 2000, you can walk about 8 minutes to that entrance guided by Google Maps, it is IMPORTANT that even if you find several entrances / exits of the Free Zone on the way, only at the pass point on Av. Roosevelt you can register and cancel by yourself. access ticket.

Tourist Pass

Requirements to request the Tourist Pass

Pass granted to tourists who wish to enter the area of ​​the Colon Free Zone as long as they have their valid passport and stamp, they must go to the pass gate, it has a cost US$5

Requirements to request the Pass for a tourist rental car

Special permit granted to those tourists who wish to enter with their rented car. They must present the lessor's contract and go to the pass gate, it has a cost US$15

Pass for Entrepreneur or Investor

Pass granted to the visitors of independent companies established outside the area of ​​the Colon Free Zone.

 

Requirements to request the Personal Visitor Pass

Has a cost US$12To obtain it, they must go to the pass gate and fill out the form "Personal Visitor Pass Form", the delivery time will depend on the number of passes requested and the company is obliged to return them as soon as the employee stops providing service. and is valid for 1 year

Requirements to request the visitor vehicle decal

Has a cost US$50To obtain it, you must go to the pass gate, fill out the "Visitor Vehicle Pass Request Form" and it is valid for 1 year, the delivery time is approximately five days

Requirements to request the visitor motorcycle decal

Has a cost US$25To obtain it, you must go to the pass gate, fill out the form "Motorcycle Pass Form" and it is valid for 1 year, the delivery time is approximately five days

Requirements to request the provisional Card (vehicle)

Cards awarded to the independent buses and busitos sets, construction vehicles, has a cost US$10, to obtain it they must go to the pass gate, the procedure is carried out by means of letters accompanied by the vehicle documents

National Visitor Pass | Panamanians

¿I am Panamanian and I want to buy in the Colon Free Zone? This pass is granted to visitors of Panamanian nationality from companies established outside the Free Zone area, who wish to purchase products in the Colon Free Zone.

Requirements to request the Personal Visitor Pass

Has a cost US$25To obtain it, you must go to the pass gate and fill out the form "Personal Visitor Pass Form", the delivery time will depend on the number of passes requested and is valid for 1 year.

Requirements to request the visitor vehicle decal

Has a cost US$50To obtain it, you must go to the pass gate, fill out the "Visitor Vehicle Pass Request Form" and it is valid for 1 year, the delivery time is approximately five days

Requirements to request the visitor motorcycle decal

Has a cost US$25To obtain it, you must go to the pass gate, fill out the form "Motorcycle Pass Form" and it is valid for 1 year, the delivery time is approximately five days

Requirements to request an Eventual Pass

Awarded to the Organization of Independent Peddlers, it has a cost US$3

Pass for Free Zone Users

Requirements to request the Executive Pass

Pass granted to Managers or Legal Representatives of companies established within the Colon Free Zone, has a $25 cost and a validity of 1 year, processing time lasts 5 days approx.

Requirements to request the Permanent Personal Pass – User and Visitor Companies

Pass granted to permanent staff of companies established within the Colon Free Zone, has a $12 cost and a validity of 1 year, the time of processing the number of passes requested.

Requirements to request the Eventual Pass

Pass granted to temporary personnel, who are not on the payroll of companies established within the area of ​​the Colon Free Zone, have a $3 cost and a validity of 1 year.

Requirements to request the Private Decal / For motorcycle

Vehicle pass granted to user companies established within the Colon Free Zone, has a $15 cost for automobiles and a $25 cost for motorcycles, with a validity of 1 year, processing time lasts 5 days approx.

Requirements to request the collective decal

Vehicle pass granted to user companies that transport employees of companies established in the Colon Free Zone, has a $25 cost and a validity of 1 year, processing time lasts 5 days approx.

Application to Renew Vehicle Passes

This year 2020 there will be no renewal of vehicle passes.

Where to stay near Zona Libre?

Save money on your hotel reservation! We have affiliated with the hotel search portal booking.com In order to offer our visitors the best deals on accommodation near the Free Zone, they have a huge hotel offer of all price ranges and amenities, as well as bed & breakfasts, hostels, apartments and houses. They have a series of filters to choose your hotel by price, by area, by rating, by type of accommodation, even knowing if they offer free Wi-Fi to keep you connected and avoid excesses in international roaming.

How to import merchandise from Panama to

Shipments from the Colon Free Zone in Panama to Argentina

Argentina

Shipments from the Colon Free Zone in Panama to Aruba

Aruba

Shipments from the Colon Free Zone in Panama to the Bahamas

Bahamas

Shipments from the Colon Free Zone in Panama to Barbados

Barbados

Shipments from the Colon Free Zone in Panama to Brazil

Brazil

Shipments from the Colon Free Zone in Panama to Canada

Canada

Shipments from the Colon Free Zone in Panama to Chile

Chile

Shipments from the Colon Free Zone in Panama to El Salvador

El Salvador

Shipments from the Colon Free Zone in Panama to Spain

Spain

Shipments from the Colon Free Zone in Panama to the United States

United States

Shipments from the Colon Free Zone in Panama to Guatemala

Guatemala

Shipments from the Colon Free Zone in Panama to Haiti

Haiti

Shipments from the Colon Free Zone in Panama to Honduras

Honduras

Shipments from the Colon Free Zone in Panama to Jamaica

Jamaica

Shipments from the Colon Free Zone in Panama to Nicaragua

Nicaragua

Shipments from the Colon Free Zone in Panama to Paraguay

Paraguay

Shipments from the Colon Free Zone in Panama to Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico

Shipments from the Colon Free Zone in Panama to the Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic

Shipments from the Colon Free Zone in Panama to San Martin

San Martin

Shipments from the Colon Free Zone in Panama to Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago

Shipments from the Colon Free Zone in Panama to Uruguay

Uruguay

Shipments from the Colon Free Zone in Panama to Venezuela

Venezuela

Companies in the Free Zone of Panama

Known for being an important trade and distribution center for imported and exported products from and to Latin America, it currently has 2.649 established companies where you will find what to buy in Panama to sell.

How to buy in the Colon Free Zone online?

Currently it is possible to carry out Colon Free Zone shopping OnLine, find the products that they have in wholesale sales from any city in the world, the companies in the Panamanian Free Zone they sell to Latin American and Caribbean countries from the isthmus; You can also find companies with sellers in some countries of the region or who constantly visit them, to make it easy for customers to check the quality of their products and place their orders. Likewise, you can contact others online through email, Business WhatsApp or their social networks [Facebook – Instagram – LinkedIN] to give them a quick answer to their questions, request an updated catalog of products in stock or buy on their site website or E-commerce through electronic commerce. The first step is to search dizolicol which business sells the products you are looking for, there you will find the contact details of the companies.

After finding where to buy, you must look for the transport company that takes the load to your business; companies can recommend who is in charge of the logistics of your merchandise, likewise some carriers specialize in exporting to certain countries, you must find the right one for your country and shipments can be land, sea or air.

The shipment of merchandise from Panama continues, you can even find products that would take longer to arrive from China; Entrepreneurs are choosing to hire the services of logistics operators that have operating permits and manage their inventory without having to travel, from the comfort of their business.

How to get trusted suppliers?

DIRECTORIOZOLICOL is the digital platform for the wholesaler, where they can find updated information on the BUSINESS WORK located in the Colon Free Zone, the products they sell for their business or the different services they offer to facilitate processes, such as buying in bulk and then moving that merchandise to their country, as well as extra services they may need at the time of make purchases and in case of visiting Panama in which hotels to stay for your greatest comfort.

For this, there are a series of search categories that will make the process easier.

Close Menu