Zona Libre de Colón · Panama
Free Trade Zone Services in Panama: Zona Libre de Colón
Storage, repacking and re-export inside the Zona Libre de Colón (ZLC), fed from Cristóbal, MIT and CCT, with DGA and ZLC reporting handled.
4.5 on Google · 190+ reviews · WCAworld North America Best Partner 2022
Since 1992
Own office in Panama
DGA and ZLC reporting
Largest free zone in the Americas
Zona Libre de Colón
Free trade zone in Panama built for regional re-export
Interworld Freight's free trade zone services in Panama operate inside the Zona Libre de Colón (ZLC), the largest free zone in the Western Hemisphere, with more than 1,800 registered companies. Import, store, repack and re-export across LATAM and the Caribbean without Panamanian duties or taxes, while cargo stays inside the zone or leaves for another country.
Our free zone operations sit in Colón province, on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal, with direct access to Cristóbal, MIT and CCT and a 90-minute corridor to Tocumen for air cargo. With a long-standing role as the regional re-export hub, the ZLC gives importers and distributors a single platform to reach Central America, the Andean region, the Caribbean and Mercosur, and we pair it with bilingual customs expertise, alignment with the Dirección General de Aduanas (DGA), pricing in US dollars and integrated freight forwarding across LATAM.
Gateways, regulators and markets behind our free trade zone services in Panama
Gateways 4
CristóbalManzanillo (MIT)CCTTocumen (PTY)
Rules and regulators 3
Zona Libre de Colón (ZLC)DGAMinisterio de Comercio e Industrias
Re-export markets 4
Central AmericaAndean regionCaribbeanMercosur
ZLC services
What we run inside the Zona Libre de Colón
Storage, handling and paperwork for cargo that enters the ZLC to be distributed across the region.
Import and re-export management
Entry, storage and outbound clearance under ZLC procedures, so cargo never touches Panamanian fiscal territory.
Secure ZLC warehousing
Short-term staging or long-term inventory holding inside the free zone perimeter.
Regional replenishment
Inventory control that optimizes replenishment flows toward LATAM and the Caribbean.
Value-added services
Labeling, repackaging, kitting and quality control before goods are re-exported.
Re-export documentation
Paperwork aligned with destination-country rules, plus re-export manifests for every shipment.
Operator license setup
Help obtaining your own operator license or working under ours, with goods registered on entry.
Compare
Re-export from the ZLC or release into Panama?
What happens to duties and paperwork depending on where goods go when they leave the Zona Libre de Colón.
Same in both options: Time inside the zone: No fixed maximum while ZLC procedures are met.
Daniel Zapata · Operations Director
Planning a ZLC operation?
Tell Dani the product, the origin and the markets you re-export to: he maps storage, value-added services and DGA and ZLC paperwork.
Map each SKU before it enters
Plan for re-export if…
Panama is your regional platform and the goods ship on to other LATAM and Caribbean markets.
Plan a local release if…
Part of the stock is for Panama: duties then apply to what leaves the zone for the local market.
How we work with you
How free trade zone services work in Panama
You tell us the regional plan; license, storage, reporting and re-export run through the same advisor.
01
Set up inside the ZLC
We help you obtain an operator license or work under ours, and structure inventory for compliant re-export flows.
02
Register goods on entry
Cargo arrives from Cristóbal, MIT or CCT, or by air through Tocumen, and is registered as it enters.
03
Store and add value
Staging or long-term holding, with labeling, repackaging, kitting and quality control.
04
Report to the DGA and ZLC
Entry declarations, in-zone movements, re-export manifests and periodic inventory reconciliations.
05
Re-export or release
Ship on to LATAM and the Caribbean duty-free, or clear goods for the Panamanian market.
ZLC pricing
What goes into a free zone storage price in Panama
Combining ZLC duty treatment with shared space, value-added services and integrated freight lowers total landed cost; your quote itemizes each line.
Storage inside the zone
Shared warehouse space for staging or long-term inventory within the ZLC perimeter.
Value-added handling
Labeling, repackaging, kitting and quality control on your SKUs.
License and entry registration
Operator license support and registration of goods as they enter the zone.
DGA and ZLC reporting
Entry declarations, in-zone movements, re-export manifests and periodic inventory reconciliations, so you stay fully compliant while capturing the full financial benefit of the free zone regime.
SKU-level inventory system
Cloud-based tracking of receipts, in-zone movements and re-exports, reported in English and Spanish.
Integrated freight
Ocean, air and road freight connected to Cristóbal, MIT, CCT and Tocumen.
Why shippers trust Interworld
Zona Libre de Colón services backed by a forwarder since 1992
Founded in 1992 by John Crespo, Interworld Freight serves more than 14,000 clients from its own offices in the USA, Panama, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. It is a founding member of the World Cargo Alliance, IATA accredited, CTPAT certified and WCAworld Best Partner 2022. In Panama, ZLC procedures simplify import and re-export documentation versus standard customs entry, for faster customs clearance with less paperwork and fewer compliance delays, and our team handles DGA filings end to end so ZLC cargo moves on schedule even during peak season at Cristóbal, MIT and CCT.
1992operating since
14,000+clients
4countries with our own offices
World Cargo Alliance
Founding member of the allianceWCAworld Best Partner 2022
North America award
IATA accredited
Cargo agent accredited by the International Air Transport Association
CTPAT certified
U.S. CBP supply chain security programNo-commitment quote · Reply within one business day
Ready to run regional distribution from the ZLC?
Space, handling and storage rates confirmed in writing, with a clear breakdown from the first email: no surprises, no fine print.
Quote your storage today
Moving cargo worldwide since 1992. Tell us the load and get a written quote with every cost itemized.
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Keep exploring
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Warehousing hub Other programs in Panama
The same program in other markets
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Duty- and IVA-free storage in ZOFRI or Zona Franca de Punta Arenas, with labeling, kitting and light assembly before re-export.
View Chile Free trade zone in Peru
Duty-deferred storage in CETICOS and ZED zones, with SUNAT paperwork, assembly and labeling before nationalization or re-export.
View Peru Free trade zone in the Dominican Republic
Zona franca storage under CNZFE near Caucedo and Santiago, duty-free for exported output, with CAFTA-DR rules-of-origin support.
View Dominican Republic Client testimonials
What companies say about working with us
Real reviews from our Google profile.
4.5 / 5 · 190+ Google reviews
“I've been working with this freight forwarding company for a while, and their service is truly outstanding. They follow up proactively and make sure everything runs smoothly from pickup to delivery. It's rare to find a company this reliable and customer-focused.”
M
Marcia Vazquez
Google review
“Did great with shipping my items to The Bahamas. Everything was done in a timely manner.”
L
Lynn Rolle
Google review
“The attention from everyone I dealt with is always excellent. You can see the professionalism and care the very first time they attend to you, and it is genuine. Highly recommend Interworld.”
N
Nestor Gonzalez
Google review
“I was very pleased with the service, from beginning to end. Everything was explained to me step by step till I was ready to pick up my machine from the warehouse. I didn't expect to get such service — so professional and knowledgeable.”
E
Ely Krasner
Google review
“Great experience working with them. 100% recommended.”
I
Interprint C.A.
Google review
“Excellent company to work with. Very professional.”
E
Elena
Google review
“The service I received was excellent. I highly recommend this company.”
R
Richard Stifano C.
Google review
FAQ
Free trade zone in Panama, answered
What importers and regional distributors ask before storing goods in the Zona Libre de Colón.
or call +1 (646) 722-0968
Quote your free trade zone storage in Panama
Tell us the product, volume and re-export markets. Dani replies within one business day with storage, handling and rates.
Own offices in the USA, Panama, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas
Documents for your program
Commercial invoice · Packing list · Inventory records in our WMS
Talk to a person, not a bot
Daniel Zapata · Operations Director
Dani prices your program himself and confirms space, handling rates and documents, in English or Spanish.
4.5 / 5
190+ reviews on Google. Exporters and importers already moving their cargo with Interworld.
Global freight forwarder headquartered in Miami since 1992. Ocean, air and road freight, warehousing and container shipping worldwide.
Dominican Republic
Spring Center Plaza, suite 701, Arroyo Hondo, Distrito Nacional