Though landlocked, Bolivia has part ownership of Lake Titicaca - the largest in South America and the highest navigable lake in the world.
Bolivia is more importantly noted for harbouring 199 ecosystems that support a wide range of flora and fauna - 4,000 types of potatoes as well as ocelots, squirrel monkeys, toucans, flamingoes, and river dolphins, to name a few.
Bolivia is a nation rich in natural resources that is supporting an emerging consumer market. As a result, Bolivians have a healthy 65% internet user penetration rate, and the projected e-commerce annual revenue growth for the country is 17%-plus until 2025.
Easily compare the best and cheapest shipping options to Bolivia through a variety of carriers using Secureship
Secureship provides safe and affordable shipping from Canada to Bolivia. In case you are an everyday shopper or a business,
you can easily save up to 50% on your international shipping costs by way of accessing our group buying power.
Shipments through Secureship come with full, easy to read tracking information to Bolivia
Tracking #:780123123123
Tel: 1-800-463-3339
Signed By: Pikwalia @ Residence
Jun 1, 2023
8:49 am
Tarija , TA, BO
Delivered
May 31, 2023
7:18 am
Oruro , OR, BO
In transit
May 30, 2023
9:03 pm
Cochabamba , CO, BO
International Clearance
May 30, 2023
8:14 am
La Paz , LP, BO
In transit
May 30, 2023
12:17 am
Toronto, ON, CA
In transit
May 29, 2023
4:30 pm
Ottawa, ON, CA
Pickup Scan
Disclaimer!
While we have made every effort to ensure that the information on this page is accurate, Customs laws and procedures change regularly so it is
important to consult a licensed broker in Bolivia before shipping any goods.
Types of Shipments
Not all types of shipments are created equal. Shipping a television will require different
paperwork, duties, and taxes than shipping an accounting statement, for example.
Here is a list of the most common types of shipments:
Gift shipments of any value will incur duties and taxes when they enter Bolivia from Canada. If the parcel weighs 20 kg or less, it will also be liable to an ATT fee - a local Bolivian transportation tax.
Shipments from Individual-to-Individual
If an individual sends a gift to another individual in Bolivia, it will be liable to Bolivian duties and taxes even if the gift has a nominal value. As well, a local transportation tax (called an ATT) will be applied to the shipment if its weight is less than 20 kg.
Shipments from Business-to-Business
If a business in Canada ships a gift parcel to a business in Bolivia, the shipment will incur taxes and duties no matter its value.
Shipments from Business-to-Individual
Gift shipments from a business based in Canada to an individual living in Bolivia will be assessed duties and taxes by the customs authorities. This will apply to all parcels even when their value is minimal.
Gift Checklist
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
The words 'Gift Shipment' or 'Unsolicited Gift' are included on the commercial invoice, even if the shipment is sent at Christmas time
(see sample)
List the items in the parcel and write the value of each
Sending more than one gift in the parcel? Wrap and tag each one individually.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Galaktioni Tabidze 8 Gia Chanturia St. Tbilisi 0108 Bolivia
Phone: +995 32 299 86 67
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Personal Shipment / Gift Shipment
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift Shipment: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$79.99
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $79.99
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Multiple Gifts in One Shipment
If your parcel contains multiple gifts, be sure to wrap and tag each one separately.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Galaktioni Tabidze 8 Gia Chanturia St. Tbilisi 0108 Bolivia
Phone: +995 32 299 86 67
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Unsolicited Gift: Consolidated Gift Package
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift - Roger: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$39.99
1 Each
Gift - Erica: Handwoven French Canadian Catalogne Blanket
CA
$49.99
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $89.98
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Canadian residents and Bolivian nationals may ship personal effects to Bolivia exempt from duty charges provided:
They have lived outside of Bolivia for a minimum of 2 years up to the time of entering Bolivia
The value of the shipment is $35,000 USD or less (about $44, 050 CAD)
Personal effects include items such as:
Clothing and footwear
Furniture
Household appliances
Implements and goods for the preparation and consumption of food
Other goods needed for the normal running of a home, such as children's toys
NOTE:
Bolivian citizens may ship goods duty-free valued up to $50,000 USD (about $62,950 CAD) if:
They are returning to the country to live permanently; and
When the shipment contains tools, machinery, etc. for the purposes of earning a living (to a maximum value of $25,000 USD - about $31,475 CAD)
Moving Temporarily
Students
There is no information available at this time concerning students moving temporarily to Bolivia with their personal effects.
Non-students
Non-students may ship personal effects to Bolivia exempt from customs duties provided:
The goods arrive within 5 months of the individual entering Bolivia
The items are for their use only
Shipments may include the following items:
Photographic and video equipment
Printed matter - books, magazines
Clothing and equipment required for the trip
Moving Permanently
Bolivian citizens and Canadian residents will be allowed entry of their personal effects duty-free if they can show that:
They have lived in Canada for at least 2 years up to the time they enter Bolivia
The total value of their shipment is $35,000* USD or less (about $44,050 CAD)
*Bolivian citizens may import duty-free up to $50,000 USD (about $62,950 CAD) provided:
They will be returning to the country to live permanently; and
The shipment comprises tools, instruments, and machinery that will be used as part of an individual's trade or professional life (to a maximum of $25,000 USD - about $31,475 CAD)
A shipment may contain goods like:
Furniture and decorations
Kitchen appliances and other items for food preparation and serving
Footwear and clothing
Normal day-to-day items such as children's toys and sports equipment
Personal Effects Checklist
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Personal Effects' (see sample)
Galaktioni Tabidze 8 Gia Chanturia St. Tbilisi 0108 Bolivia
Phone: +995 32 299 86 67
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Personal effects being delivered to my new address.
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
5 Pairs
Personal Effects: 5 pairs of various types of shoes
IN
$40.00
1 Each
Personal Effects: Arc'terix Winter Jacket
CA
$478.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Personal Effects Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $678.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Food, Chocolate, Candies
Most foodstuffs cannot enter Bolivia from Canada. This includes canned and sealed food products.
However, food items allowed entry into Bolivia will incur Bolivian duty and taxes when they enter the country. They will also be liable to a local transportation tax called the ATT if the parcel weighs 20 kg or less.
You May Ship
Chocolate
Candy
Do Not Ship
Perishables - produce, fish products
Food, Chocolate, Candies Checklist
Clearly indicate 'Food' on the commercial invoice in the General Description or Remarks section (see sample)
Ensure that your food, chocolate, or candies may be imported into the country
You are not shipping commercial quantities (for any duty & tax exemption)
Check with your carrier that they will accept food shipments
Galaktioni Tabidze 8 Gia Chanturia St. Tbilisi 0108 Bolivia
Phone: +995 32 299 86 67
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Commercial Sample - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Box
Commercial Sample - Advanced reading copy of Dan Brown's novel.
CA
$20.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Commercial Sample Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $20.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Advertising Material
Advertising material shipped to Bolivia from Canada will be admitted to the country exempt from duty and taxes if it is a temporary import to be displayed at a trade fair or similar international exhibition.
Advertising materials that will be distributed free of charge will be exempt from customs duties as long as they are marked as a commercial sample with no monetary value. (Each item is to have a maximum value of $5 USD - about $6 CAD; with the entire shipment valued at no more than $2,000 USD - about $2,525 CAD.)
Advertising Material Checklist
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Promotional Material - Not for Resale' (see sample)
Sample Commercial Invoice for Promotional Material
Ship To
Invoice
Galaktioni Tabidze 8 Gia Chanturia St. Tbilisi 0108 Bolivia
Phone: +995 32 299 86 67
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Promotional Material - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Promotional Material: Not for Resale. Product pamphlets to hand out at trade show.
CA
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Promotional Material Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Repairs
Goods for repair are allowed a duty and tax free entry into Bolivia under the country's 'Temporary Admission for Inward Processing' regime. Items may remain in Bolivia for a period of 360 days though this may be extended by 180 days.
Items Under Warranty
Machinery and equipment repaired in Canada without charge because of warranty obligations will be allowed a duty and tax free re-entry into Bolivia.
Items No Longer Under Warranty
If items are no longer under warranty when they arrive in Canada for repair, they will incur taxes and duty when they are returned to Bolivia.
Sending Product for Repair to Bolivia
Bolivian customs allows equipment and machinery to enter the country for repairs duty and tax free provided they stay in the country for no longer than 360 days. (This may be extended to a maximum of 180 days with permission from Bolivia's Ministry of Internal Trade.)
Returning Repaired Product to Bolivia
Provided equipment was repaired under a warranty at no charge, it may be returned to Bolivia without duties and taxes being incurred.
Repair Checklist
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'REPAIR & RETURN' under the General Description or Remarks, and include the estimated time of return
(see sample)
Include repair contract with shipment
Serial or product number and the cost of repairs should be indicated under the Detailed Description of Goods section
Include the original shipping documents or tracking number from when the item was first exported to Bolivia or exported to Canada (depending on which case applies)
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Galaktioni Tabidze 8 Gia Chanturia St. Tbilisi 0108 Bolivia
Phone: +995 32 299 86 67
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Repair and Return - Watch being sent for repair
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Fossil Watch being sent for repair - Model E5, serial # 789456FG7E2 - Repair Cost $76.00
US
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Warranty Repair Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Temporary Imports
Goods imported temporarily into Bolivia will be exempt from customs duties and taxes if:
They exit the country in the same condition as at their entry
Remain in Bolivia a maximum of 2* years (one extension is allowed)
*5 years is allowed for equipment and machinery imported for the mining sector
Items that are allowed temporary admission include:
Commercial samples
Machinery and equipment for repair
Equipment and machinery for the mining industry
Goods for the use in a theatrical or musical presentation
Equipment for a sporting event
ATA Carnets
Bolivian customs does not recognise ATA Carnets for the temporary importation of goods.
Temporary Imports Checklist
Commercial Invoice clearly stating 'Temporary Import'. This must be written in the General Description section and the Detailed Description of Goods.
(see sample)
The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
Stay no longer than the period listed above
Include your ATA Carnet with your shipment (if applicable)
Include the expected return date or the date that it was originally received within the country (whichever applies)
Any above listed items not listed in this checklist
Galaktioni Tabidze 8 Gia Chanturia St. Tbilisi 0108 Bolivia
Phone: +995 32 299 86 67
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment returning Jan 2020
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 box
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment
CA
$1032.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Temporary Imports Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1032.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Permanent/Sold Goods
All sold goods shipped to Bolivia from Canada will incur duty and taxes no matter the value of the parcel.
Occasional Shipper
Even if you only occasionally ship sold goods to Bolivia from Canada, for e.g. via eBay, taxes and duties will be incurred by the recipient.
Regular shipper
Regular shippers of sold goods are strongly recommended to employ the services of a licenced Bolivian customs broker. This is imperative if the shipment is valued at $1,000 USD or more (about $1,250 CAD) and weighs 40 kg or more.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Permanent/Sold Goods
Ship To
Invoice
Galaktioni Tabidze 8 Gia Chanturia St. Tbilisi 0108 Bolivia
Phone: +995 32 299 86 67
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Permanent/Sold: Parts and accessories for Canon B78n camera
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
15 Each
Camera Lenses: Canon EF 50mm, Canon EF 85mm & wide-angle lenses.
CA
$132.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Permanent/Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1980.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Required Documents
Shipping packages internationally requires a lot of documentation. This process alone can be confusing and time-consuming.
So we’ve narrowed down what documents you might need and ranked them based on likeliness of being needed.
Document Type
When?
Details
Shipping Label / Bill of Lading
Always required
This is a label provided by the carrier (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.). Always required because the carrier needs to know the parcel's destination.
Commercial Invoice
Required for all non-document shipments
For all non-document shipments, you will require 3 copies of the commercial invoice (to be included with your shipping labels).
These are for customs purposes and need to be included inside a document pouch outside of the box.
When creating a shipment through the Secureship website, the system will help you create this document automatically.
B13a
Required if value exceeds $2,000 per shipment or is a controlled good
A B13a is required if your shipment exceeds $2000 CAD or is a controlled good
and is destined to a country other than the US, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands
Canada has a preferential trade agreement with Bolivia. A COO proves that an item has been produced, manufactured or processed in Canada.
When an item with a COO is imported into Bolivia, it will incur a reduced or zero-rated import duty.
Certificate of Insurance (COI)
Infrequently required
Shows that the shipment has been insured.
Banks may request a certificate of insurance when providing letters of credit for the goods. Otherwise,
it is generally your choice whether to purchase insurance for the shipment.
ATA Carnet
Infrequently required
Used to avoid duties and taxes on shipments of temporary nature.
If you ship goods of temporary nature to and from a country, you can obtain an ATA Carnet to expedite the customs clearance process and
ensure that anything of temporary nature is not charged duties and taxes.
The amount of duty and taxes owed on a shipment to Bolivia is calculated on its CIF value, i.e. the sum of the customs value plus insurance amount plus freight costs.
CIF Value = Customs Value + Insurance Amount + Freight Costs
If you calculate the CIF value of your shipment before sending it to Bolivia, you will have an estimate of the duties and taxes the recipient will have to pay upon receiving the parcel.
Thresholds
All imports of sold goods will incur duties and taxes regardless of their value.
NOTE: Non-commercial shipments from someone in Canada to a friend or relative in Bolivia may enter the country duty-free if:
It has a maximum value of $100 USD (about $125 CAD)
The shipment has a maximum weight of 20 kg
The parcel is a maximum of 1.5 m in any dimension
Currency
Boliviano (B)
Duty Exemption (De minimis Value)
$100* USD (about $125 CAD)
Duty Calculation Method
CIF
TAX (VAT)
13%
Tax Exemption
(De minimis Value)
N/A
Tax Calculation Method
CIF
*Only on non-commercial shipments to relatives or friends. All sold goods will incur duty no matter their value.
Duties on Imports
Excise Duties
Bolivian customs officials will apply excise duties on the following products:
Tobacco products
Alcoholic beverages
Soft drinks
Energy drinks
Specific rates for the above items can be found
here.
You can purchase
insurance
through Secureship and it is provided by the carrier that will be transporting your shipment.
Each carrier will charge a different amount per $100 of declared insurance. If you indicate that you need insurance for your shipment our system will automatically include the insurance costs for your shipment.
Insurance is great to have in case your package is accidentally lost or damaged by the carrier. But be careful, not everything you ship is insurable. Worse - even if your package contains items that are insurable, if it doesn’t meet the ISTA 3A packaging standard, the insurance purchased through the carrier would not be available to you.
Here are some items that cannot be insured by the carrier:
Personal belongings
Antiques
Artwork
Liquids (including alcohol)
Televisions
Jewellery in excess of $500
Perishable goods
Glass or Ceramic
And many more items
For more information, please see the carrier's terms and conditions.
Shipping to Bolivia from Canada can take between 3-5 business days through the fastest carriers available on the Secureship platform.
More economical services, such as Canada Post, can take up to 1-2 months to complete the delivery.
