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Structural steel export market

Panama

The logistics crossroads of the Americas.

Growing potential

Flag of Panama
GDP 2026
$95.0 billion
World rank
#84
Population
4.1 million
GDP per capita
$23,377
Main ports
2

Steel structures for Panama

Panama's economy is built on the canal, ports and logistics; its free zones and transhipment hubs at Colón and Balboa serve the whole region.

Economy & key sectors

Logistics, canal, banking, construction, tourism

Demand for steel structures

Logistics warehouses, free-zone facilities, port and commercial buildings.

Supplied from Vietnam

What World Steel can supply to Panama

Structural steel, pre-engineered buildings and building-envelope products fabricated in our certified Vietnam plant and shipped ready to erect.

Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings (PEB)Factories, warehouses and halls supplied as a complete system: primary frames, secondary members, cladding and accessories. Steel Frame StructuresColumns, beams and bracing for heavy industrial buildings, multi-storey and high-rise frames – fabricated to your drawings and code. Roof & Wall CladdingRoof and wall panels, partial block walls and wall lights to complete the building envelope.

Free trade agreements

Agreements in force between Vietnam and Panama, and the country's wider trade network.

FTA with Vietnam

There is no free trade agreement between Vietnam and Panama. Imports are charged the standard (MFN) duty rate – we quote landed costs on request.

Other trade agreements of Panama

US–Panama TPACentral America–EU Association Agreement

Import regulations for steel structures

What to check when importing fabricated structural steel (HS 7308) or prefabricated buildings (HS 9406) into Panama.

  • No FTA with Vietnam – MFN duty applies.
  • Designs commonly follow US codes (ASCE 7 / AISC 360).

Landed cost calculator

What does steel from Vietnam cost delivered to Panama?

Estimate freight, insurance, duty, taxes and local charges for fabricated steel structures – with the duty and tax rates for Panama already filled in.

Calculate landed cost
Import duty (HS 7308.90)
MFN 10%
ITBMS
7%
Customs value basis
CIF

Tariffs and trade measures change frequently. This information is a general guide, not legal or customs advice – World Steel confirms the current duty and documentation position with every quotation.

Holidays & cultural calendar

Upcoming holidays and cultural events in Panama

Plan RFQs, approvals and deliveries around the days when offices, customs and ports close. Weekend: Sat–Sun.

Full calendar 2026–2027 →
Happy Fiestas Patrias, Panama – Panama, 3 November 2026
In 6 daysSeparation Day3 Nov 2026Download banner ↓
3NovSeparation DayPublic holiday · In 6 days4NovFlag DayObservance · In 7 days5NovColón DayPublic holiday · In 8 days10NovFirst Cry of IndependencePublic holiday · In 13 days

Business seasonality: November ('Mes de la Patria') is fragmented by five patriotic holidays, and business slows over Carnival and from mid-December to early January.

Seaports & logistics

Main container gateways for shipments from Ho Chi Minh City / Cai Mep to Panama. Steel is shipped in containers, flat racks or break-bulk depending on member size.

All world ports →
#28Colón, PanamaColón (Panama)Transhipment hub · 5.4 M TEU#36Panama City, PanamaBalboa (Panama)Transhipment hub · 4.0 M TEU

Provinces (14)

  • Bocas del Toro
  • Chiriquí
  • Coclé
  • Colón
  • Darién
  • Emberá
  • Guna Yala
  • Herrera
  • Los Santos
  • Naso Tjër Di
  • Ngäbe-Buglé
  • Panamá
  • Panamá Oeste
  • Veraguas

PEB knowledge for Panama

PEB knowledge

Complete pre-engineered steel building with primary frames, purlins, girts, roof and wall cladding and accessoriesWSC productsPEB building kitsDiagram of dead, live, wind and snow loads acting on a PEB portal frameDesignDesign loadsStructural analysis model of a portal frame with load diagrams and design drawingsWSC solutionsDesign & engineeringMobile crane lifting a rafter onto columns in the first braced bay of a PEB under constructionErectionErection sequenceWorld map with PEB design and fabrication code families for North America, Australia and New Zealand, and EuropeStandardsStandards overviewFactory floor of a PEB plant with built-up rafters on welding lines and finished members stacked for paintingFabricationFabrication processLarge pre-engineered steel warehouse with multi-span frames, roll-up doors and loading canopyApplicationsWarehouses3D model of a complete pre-engineered steel building with rigid frames, purlins, girts and partial roof and wall sheetingFundamentalsWhat is a PEB?

More markets in North America

All markets →
North America · GDP #1United StatesThe world's largest economy and the largest market for metal building systems.HighMFNNorth America · GDP #11CanadaA CPTPP partner with demanding cold-climate and welding-certification rules.MediumCPTPPNorth America · GDP #13MexicoNearshoring hub of North America and a CPTPP partner of Vietnam.MediumCPTPPNorth America · GDP #67Dominican RepublicThe largest economy in the Caribbean and Central America region.MediumMFNNorth America · GDP #126Trinidad and TobagoEnergy-driven economy with steady demand for industrial and commercial buildings.HighMFNNorth America · GDP #133JamaicaCaribbean logistics hub with growing tourism and logistics construction.HighMFN

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Planning a steel structure abroad?

Send us your drawings or IFC model – our estimating team replies with fabrication scope, schedule and delivered price.

Request a quotation +84 902 881 833