Key Points:
- Peru offers online merchants a growing economy and a promising environment for eCommerce growth in the years ahead
- You can always use the Easyship shipping rates calculator to determine which courier offers the best deal
- Peru has its own set of import restrictions to control the flow of goods into its borders
There are many reasons why shipping to Peru is a great idea for online merchants, but chief among them is the country’s reputation as the fastest-growing economy in Latin America!
In addition to this, the country also shows promise as an emerging eCommerce marketing in a number of other ways. Here’s a closer look at some of these market insights, plus important information on key online marketplaces in Peru, shipping restrictions, taxes and duties, and more so you can ship to Peru smartly and cost-effectively!
Table of Contents
Strong Foundations for eCommerce Growth in Peru
Peru offers online merchants a growing economy and a promising environment for eCommerce growth in the years ahead. The country’s annual GDP growth rate stands at 5.5 percent, while the country’s poverty level has also been reduced significantly from 42 percent in 2007 to 21 percent in 2016.
There’s even more good news for online merchants considering international shipping to Peru from abroad. This country of over 32 million people has a median age of 28.4 and over 18 million people using the Internet regularly, leading to a solid Internet penetration rate of approximately 56 percent. Research has shown that by the end of 2019, the number of Internet users will increase to over 21 million, indicating strong growth.
Smartphone penetration in the Peruvian eCommerce market also stands at 36 percent and rising, meaning that while desktop optimization should be first and foremost for those looking into shipping to Peru, mobile eCommerce is also something to keep in mind for the future.
Popular Platforms for eCommerce Growth in Peru
Like other countries, there are various online marketplaces in the country, making it easier for retailers engaged in shipping from the U.S. and elsewhere to Peru to sell their products. Some of the popular online marketplaces in Peru include:
In order to maximize your chances for success, it’s important that online merchants check out multiple websites. This way, you’re able to determine which ones would be suitable for marketing your products, especially in terms of competition, target audience, traffic volume, and other factors!
Electronics and Media Items Most Popular in Peru
Some of the most popular product categories for the Peruvian eCommerce market include:
- Electronics and media items
- Clothes
- Shoes
- Technology products
Credit, Debit Cards Main Payment Methods in Peru
Every country has its preferred online payment methods, including Peru. The top payment options in Peru include:
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Cash
Approximately 55 percent of Peruvian online shoppers pay with their credit cards, which made up 47 percent of the country’s eCommerce sales in 2016. About 30 percent pay cash, which made up approximately a third of Peru’s eCommerce sales in 2016.
In order to successfully engage in shipping to Peru, you should be able to offer your target customers a variety of preferred payment options, as this can significantly reduce cart abandonment.
Holidays Offer Major Selling Opportunities in Peru
In order to further improve your chances of recording more sales in the Peruvian online market, you should understand some of the best times to sell in Peru, including its top holidays. Some of these include:
- January – New Year
- March/April – Easter
- June – Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul
- July – Independence Day
- August – St. Rose of Lima
- December – Christmas
Shipping to Peru
If you’re looking to send a package to Peru for customers in that country, it’s important to first understand which couriers are available, shipping restrictions, and the country’s customs duties and taxes. Here’s a quick look at all of that!
Local and International Couriers in Peru
Fortunately, many major global couriers offer to ship to Peru. A few of them include:
In order to effectively compare rates, you can always use the Easyship shipping rates calculator to determine which courier offers the best deal. With the Easyship tax and duty calculator, you’ll also be able to determine beforehand what the country’s taxes and duties are, making it a great tool for international shipping to Peru!
Shipping Restrictions and Prohibitions in Peru
Like all countries, Peru has its own set of import restrictions to control the flow of goods into its borders. Just some of the items prohibited from being shipped to Peru include:
- Animal products
- Hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals
- Computer components
- Corrosives
- Dangerous goods
- Prescription and non-prescription drugs
- Flammable materials
A much more exhaustive look at Peru’s import restrictions and prohibitions can be found here!
VAT and Import Duties in Peru
Before your eCommerce business starts shipping to Peru, it’s also important to note its tax and duty system. Here are a few key figures to keep in mind!
- The tax and duty threshold stands at $200USD
- The effective VAT rate is 18 percent
- Items like mobile phones, tablets, computers, cameras, and accessories face no import duties
- Items in the home appliances, dry food, luggage, health, and beauty products categories face six percent import duties while fashion products face an 11 percent duty
- Peru uses the CIF method of tax and duty calculation
Peru: One of Latin America’s Top eCommerce Opportunities
Peru is a thriving Latin American eCommerce market that every growth-minded eCommerce merchant should tap into.
With an Easyship account, international shipping to Peru is simple and cost-effective for SMBs. Sign up today to start shipping to Peru and taking your business worldwide!
