Panama’s National Customs Authority of Panama has quietly removed public search functions from its online platform. Citizens can no longer look up import and export operations by company or individual names. The agency confirmed the changes this week following a system failure in 2025.
The restriction eliminates a tool that allowed anyone to track customs operations for specific businesses or people. Users previously accessed this information through a search bar on the customs portal. That option has now disappeared without public notice.
New Search System Requires Tariff Codes
Daniel Poveda, director of Innovation and Transformation at the National Customs Authority, explained the new system’s requirements. “Users can only conduct searches if they know the Panama tariff code associated with the import or export operation,” Poveda told reporters. [Translated from Spanish]
The agency replaced name-based searches with queries using tariff codes. This change makes it significantly harder for ordinary citizens to access trade data. Journalists and researchers previously relied on this tool for investigative work.
La Prensa newspaper documented multiple investigations using the old platform. Reporters cross-referenced customs records with public procurement data. They uncovered cases where drilling equipment imported for $182,626 was later sold to the Ministry of Health for over $1.7 million.
System Failure Triggered Urgent Redesign
The Integrated Customs Management System went offline for several months in 2025. The platform then displayed intermittent “maintenance” messages. La Prensa first detected operational anomalies in October 2025.
Poveda said the collapse forced urgent reconstruction. “The institution had to rebuild the portal quickly,” he stated. “Customs initially chose to publish Excel files with import and export declarations to comply with transparency rules.” [Translated from Spanish]
The agency is now in the third phase of system development. Poveda confirmed the platform meets international standards. Some search and download functions have not yet been restored.
Technical Problems Persist with Data Downloads
Users attempting to download historical trade records encounter an error message. The customs portal displays “File not available on server” when accessing Excel archives. La Prensa verified this issue during testing.
Poveda acknowledged the problem during an interview. “Yes, you’re right. Let me check what happened with that issue, because in theory the file should download,” he said. [Translated from Spanish] The director promised to review the technical failure.
The agency has not specified when full search capabilities will return. Poveda said new query tools will be added as development continues. No timeline was provided for their availability.
Transparency Concerns Raised by Restrictions
La Prensa sent questions to Soraya Valdivieso, the general director of Customs. The newspaper asked whether any administrative act supports the public access restriction. They also inquired if the agency plans to restore name-based searches for companies and individuals.
The old search platform served as a critical transparency tool. Importers and exporters used it to track their own operations. Journalists verified claims about tax exemptions for luxury vehicles imported by former National Assembly deputies.
The National Customs Authority has not issued a public statement about the changes beyond technical explanations. The agency maintains that the modifications were necessary after the 2025 system failure. Critics argue the restrictions reduce government accountability.