Word is spreading that prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and cosmetics can no longer be imported by mailed packages (with the exception for drugs not available here, involving a paperwork-laden process of copies of prescriptions from the US and another from a doctor in Panama, etc.).
I just learned of this today and did something really radical. I read the Spanish language order (Comunicado) dated August 1, 2017.I wrote the following comment for another forum and am repeating it here in an effort to clarify what the Panamanian government is really ordering.This appears to be sort of a tempest in a teapot. Whether it was caused by misreading of the Comunicado by government employees, by mail order clients or both is not clear.
The Comunicado, as written, applies ONlY to cosmetics. Here is a translation of the operative statement in the Comunicado and the antecedent paragraph.
As we see the standard, it refers to the requirement and to the cases of Exceptions to the sanitary registry. However, the current norm of exceptions to sanitary registry for cosmetics are not contemplated.
In consequence, from this date, entrance into the country of cosmetic products for personal use is prohibited. (bold in original)
The Spanish language excerpt from the Comunicado is attached.
There is no mention in the Comunicado order of prohibition of prescription drugs nor of vitamins and supplements. The law, itself, is only quoted to provide context and authority for the Comunicado. But the purpose of the Comunicado is to single out cosmetics in the law and state that they are no longer allowed to be normal exceptions to the law.
It could be that there are some super gung-ho customs agents misinterpreting the order, or it may be that there is a rush for people to get their panties in a wad over something that will not be a problem. I think a helpful embassy official or a helpful Panamanian government official should be able to straighten it out.
Embassy Warden Hank Landis is very familiar with Panamanian law and probably could handle this efficiently.
(NOTE: I first downloaded the Comunicado when I believed the restriction on presription drugs existed and failed to rename the file after I read it carefully.)
Replies
I have exchanged some posts with Embassy Warden Bonnie Williams on Chiriqui.life.
One thing I said to her was this:
'Any idea how any of this relates to the Free Trade Agreement? It was alleged to have the effect of removing tariffs from around 87% of imports from the US within a couple of years of its signing in October 2012. The official US government site, Export.gov, says this:
Tariffs have dropped to 0% for 87% of U.S. Exports to Panama. Panama’s tariffs are already relatively low – an average of 7% for industrial goods, around 15% for agricultural products regardless of where the products are made. But a 0% percent tariff is a competitive advantage for U.S.-made goods. And U.S. products and services are already very competitive, with some 30% market share of Panama’s imports.
Are we so unlucky as to bring in a lot of stuff that falls into the 13% that has import tariffs or other restrictions? Do you think the embassy could explain this oddity?
I was just at MBE yesterday as they are holding Tylenol PM's for 6 weeks now. It is being held by MINSA. They had sent a letter that I had to sign saying it was for my personal use and I also had to send what it was and ingredients. They advised me at MBE that I would have them by August 1st. Well now I was told that I will not be getting them that it is prohibited. Also not every package is inspected so some will get through some will not. I was told it includes prescriptions, supplements, anything taken by mouth and cosmetics, lotions, deodorants ... anything that goes on the skin. All of these have been coming through mail for the past 5 years and now can't (if they happen to open your package) Also I was told it is prohibited to get caraway and fennel seeds for cooking and making breads. Those get stopped in Miami. This is a bit crazy if it stays like this for many people...
The point remains that the order itself applies ONLY to cosmetics. No other items are prohibited by the Comunicado. Somebody is misinterpreting it and mis-applying it. That is what needs to be corrected.
I understand that the order applies only to cosmetics.... which is weird because I just got cosmetics 3 days ago and they won't let me have tylenol pm's (which I would buy here if they had them)
.... but in any event it doesn't help me and others who are waiting for tylenol, precriptions, supplements, etc. and not getting them and being told we won't be getting them... The people at Mailbox etc told me that their lawyer is trying to do something, but who knows
I have routine prescriptions a total of 6 that have been held since May 20th. MBE sent a prescription from Dr Gomez and an invoice and a signed letter from me still says in progress.