Located at the heart of Central America, Nicaragua is a growing market for European exports. However, for logistics managers and individuals alike, shipping to Nicaragua presents unique challenges, from complex customs procedures in Managua to a distinct address system. At ParcelParcel, we streamline this process. We compare the top global carriers to ensure your documents, parcels, and pallets reach their destination safely and efficiently.
Chantal has been writing about logistics topics for almost two decades and has worked for major international carriers.
There is no single "perfect" carrier, but there is a right choice for your specific needs. When looking for the best way to send a package to Nicaragua, you generally have two main options through our platform:
If speed is your priority (e.g., sending contracts, spare parts, or samples), carriers like DHL Express and FedEx are the top performers.
Transit time: typically 2-4 business days.
Pros: Reliable tracking and faster customs clearance at Augusto C. Sandino International Airport.
For less urgent or heavier shipments, economy services offer a significant price reduction.
Transit time: 5-8 business days.
Pros: Lower shipping rates for heavier boxes while maintaining full traceability.
ParcelParcel Tip: Never rely on standard postal services for business shipments to Central America. The reliability and tracking visibility are often insufficient for B2B standards. Using a private courier via ParcelParcel ensures full door-to-door tracking.
One of the biggest hurdles when shipping to Nicaragua is the address format. Outside of major colonial centers, many streets do not have names or numbers. Instead, locals use reference points.
Standard Format:
Recipient Name Reference Point (e.g., "From the Cathedral, 1 block North, 20 varas West") Neighborhood / Barrio City, Department Nicaragua
Essential Advice: Always include the recipient's phone number on the shipping label. Drivers in Nicaragua heavily rely on calling the receiver to get final directions for the "last mile" delivery.
When importing goods into Nicaragua, preparation is key to avoiding delays. The Dirección General de Servicios Aduaneros (DGA) is strict regarding documentation.
Commercial Invoice: You must provide a detailed commercial invoice in Spanish or English (Spanish is preferred to speed up clearance). It must clearly state the value, description, and HS Code of every item.
Duty-Free Limit: Nicaragua has a low de minimis value. Most shipments will attract Import Duty and VAT (IVA), which is typically 15%.
Restricted Items: Be careful when shipping pharmaceuticals, seeds, or electronics with lithium batteries.
Official Resource: For specific duty rates on unusual items, you can consult the official Nicaragua Customs (DGA) website.
Booking directly with a carrier can be expensive. We act as a high-volume mediator.
Discounted Rates: Save up to 70% on standard carrier prices.
Support Team: Our team monitors your shipment. If a package gets stuck in Managua customs due to a missing phone number or document, we help you resolve it.
Comparison: Instantly see who offers the best way to send a package to Nicaragua—whether it's DHL, FedEx, or TNT—in one click.
With an Express service (like DHL Express or FedEx Priority), shipping from Europe or the USA to Nicaragua typically takes 2 to 4 business days. Economy services usually take between 5 to 8 business days.
Did this answer help?
Nicaragua introduced a 5-digit postal code system (e.g., Managua 10000), but it is not widely used by the general population. While you should include it if known, the reference point and phone number are far more critical for successful delivery.
Did this answer help?
The cheapest way is usually an Economy service booked through a consolidator like ParcelParcel. We compare rates from multiple carriers so you can select the option that fits your budget. Use our shipping calculator to see the current rates.
Did this answer help?
Sending food is complicated. Non-perishable items may be allowed, but they often require sanitary permits from the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health (MINSA). We generally advise against sending food products unless you are a registered importer with the necessary permits.
Did this answer help?
By default, shipments are sent DAP (Delivered At Place), meaning the receiver in Nicaragua is responsible for paying any import duties and taxes upon arrival. If you want to pay these costs as the sender, you must request a DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) service before shipping.
Did this answer help?
You can instantly check the shipping costs through our rate calculator. Enter the weight, dimensions, and destination country of your shipment, and you will see all available shipping options along with their respective delivery times. The calculator can be used to compare shipping rates for both export and import shipments.
If you need help calculating a shipping rate, watch the video below. Click on the 
button to play the video and the 
icon to view the video in fullscreen.
Did this answer help?
Shipping costs are calculated based on dimensions (LxWxH in cm), weight (in kg), and the destination country. Both the actual weight (as shown on the scale) and the volumetric weight are considered.
The volumetric weight is the weight calculated based on the space your shipment occupies in the plane. The higher of the two weights (volumetric or actual weight) is used to calculate the shipping rate. You don't need to calculate this yourself; our calculator does it for you.
Did this answer help?
You can use the discount code PP10 for 10% discount on the transportation costs of your first shipment. You can apply the discount code during the checkout process (instructions).
Did this answer help?
Whether additional costs apply depends on whether your shipment stays within the European Union or is sent to/from a country outside the European Union. Below, you can see the additional costs for each situation.
Within the European Union
If, for example, you send a shipment from the Netherlands to Italy (within the EU), there will be an additional 21% VAT on the shipping costs.
Furthermore, if your shipment stays within the European Union, you won't have to deal with any import duties or customs clearance fees because your shipment doesn't go through customs. Please note that the European Union is not the same as Europe.
View here all the countries that are part of the European Union. For example, Switzerland is part of Europe but not part of the European Union.
Outside the European Union
If, for example, you send a shipment from the Netherlands to the United States, there will be no VAT (0%) applied to the displayed shipping rates.
However, there might be import duties levied by customs in the destination country if you send a shipment to/from a country outside the European Union. Typically, customs costs are charged to the recipient. This is known as Delivered At Place (DAP) in logistics terminology.
Customs is a government agency that levies import duties in certain cases to protect the local market. As a company, you can also ship using Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), which means any customs costs will be charged to you as the sender.
If you have any questions about this topic, feel free to contact us. Additionally, you can read everything about import duties, VAT, and the customs clearance process in this blog.
Did this answer help?
A customs invoice is a form where all the goods you want to ship are specified. This invoice includes an English description of the goods, along with their corresponding value and weight.
The contents of your shipment must be specified per type of product you're sending to avoid delays at customs. A customs invoice is always prepared in quadruplicate in accordance with customs guidelines.
When is a customs invoice required?
A customs invoice is only required for shipments to/from countries outside the European Union (e.g., Netherlands - United States). If your shipment stays within the European Union (e.g., Netherlands - Italy), your shipment will not go through customs, and therefore, a customs invoice is not required.
Additionally, document shipments are not subject to customs, so if you're sending a document to a country within/outside the European Union, no customs invoice is needed.
Please note that not all goods can be shipped to every country. You can find a list of goods that cannot be sent via ParcelParcel on this page.
Do I need to create a customs invoice myself?
If you're sending a shipment to/from a country outside the European Union, it's mandatory to include a customs invoice with the shipment. We provide free support in creating a customs invoice.
You can easily generate a customs invoice through our shipping platform. The customs invoice will be automatically generated based on the content you specified during your booking.
Did this answer help?
You can import just as easily as export via ParcelParcel.
Did this answer help?
You can find a list of goods that cannot be shipped via ParcelParcel on this page.
Did this answer help?
