Market
Green tea (Camellia sinensis, unfermented) in Paraguay is primarily an import-supplied product used for retail hot/iced tea and as an ingredient for beverage preparation and blends. Market access and routine compliance commonly hinge on importer readiness for Paraguay’s food authority processes (e.g., INAN sanitary registration workflows and, for industry inputs, ingredient/raw material inscription rules) and use of the DNIT single-window/clearance tooling. As a landlocked market, Paraguay’s inbound logistics are typically routed through regional ports and then moved overland, making lead times and landed costs sensitive to cross-border transit conditions. Where green tea is imported as an ingredient for a food industry’s own use, the INAN framework explicitly restricts commercialization of that inscribed ingredient and ties continued import authorization to compliance with the applicable resolution.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market
Domestic RoleDomestic consumption market supplied mainly by imports; used in retail beverage preparation and as an ingredient for infusion/blend products
SeasonalityAvailability is primarily driven by import/distribution cycles rather than local harvest seasonality.
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighImport clearance can be blocked or severely delayed if the importer does not meet Paraguay’s applicable food-authority and single-window requirements (e.g., INAN sanitary registration workflows and, for food industries importing ingredients/raw materials for own use, compliance with INAN Resolution S.G. No. 336/2020 and VUI-based import authorization processes).Confirm whether the green tea shipment is treated as a finished food product (sanitary registration pathway) versus an ingredient/raw material for a food industry’s own use (Res. S.G. No. 336/2020 pathway); complete required registrations/inscriptions and secure any VUI permits/licenses before shipment dispatch.
Phytosanitary MediumAs a plant-derived commodity, green tea may be subject to SENAVE-linked phytosanitary accreditation/controls depending on how the product is categorized; missing or mismatched phytosanitary documentation/authorization can trigger holds or rejections.Validate SENAVE applicability for the exact HS classification/product presentation (bulk vs retail packs) and obtain any required phytosanitary authorizations/certificates prior to shipment.
Logistics MediumParaguay’s landlocked inbound logistics increase exposure to cross-border transit disruptions and cost volatility; MERCOSUR import procedures can add complexity and, in some routing scenarios, increase effective tariff incidence for goods entering via another MERCOSUR member and then moving onward.Build transit buffers into delivery commitments, pre-align routing and customs brokerage strategy, and model landed-cost sensitivity for alternative corridors/ports.
Food Safety MediumINAN indicates it may require laboratory analyses or supporting documents to verify the nature and safety of imported ingredients/raw materials; for tea products this can translate into heightened scrutiny on contamination/residue risks and labeling compliance under the applicable MERCOSUR-linked framework.Maintain a complete technical dossier (specification, batch/lot identifiers, and any available analytical documentation) aligned to importer/INAN requests; ensure labeling files are reviewed against INAN/MERCOSUR requirements before printing or relabeling.
FAQ
If a Paraguayan food industry imports green tea as an ingredient for its own use, can it sell that imported ingredient?No. INAN’s ingredient/raw material inscription framework under Resolution S.G. No. 336/2020 is specifically for an industry’s own use and explicitly prohibits commercialization of ingredients/raw materials covered by that route.
What are commonly required core shipping documents for imports into Paraguay?Commonly required documents include a commercial invoice, bill of lading (or air waybill), packing list, and a certificate of origin, alongside any permits/licenses required for restricted or regulated goods.
Which government systems are highlighted for import processing in Paraguay?DNIT highlights the Ventanilla Única del Importador (VUI) for permit/license workflows and states that the Digital Customs Declaration (DAD) is the applicable instrument for import/export operations starting January 1, 2026.