Film Law 16 · Panama
Tax incentives for
film production in Panama.
A 25% cash rebate on qualifying in-country spend, 0% duty on imported equipment and single-window permitting — structured and filed by a licensed local partner so the incentive actually reaches your budget.
25% of your Panama spend, back in cash.
Panama's Film Law 16 (2012) grants international productions a 25% cash rebate on qualifying in-country expenditure — alongside customs exemptions and single-window permitting. Verite Producciones is a licensed local partner registered with the Ministries of Culture and Commerce; we structure the spend and file the claim so the incentive actually lands.
25%
Cash Rebate
On qualifying in-country spend from $500,000 USD, paid against your budget after wrap.
0%
Import Duty
Duty-free temporary internment of all production equipment under Law 16.
1
Single Window
One-stop processing of both customs and labor permits at the Ministry of Commerce.
$150
Per Week
Film Commission fee from pre-production — and it credits back toward your rebate.
01
Partner with Verite Producciones
A licensed local company registered with the Ministries of Culture and Commerce — a legal requirement for the rebate.
02
Spend in-country
$500,000 USD or more across crew, equipment, locations and logistics.
03
We file it
Filed by Panama's most experienced, certified Cash Rebate accountants and auditors — every qualifying dollar counted — through legal counsel to the Ministry of Commerce & Industries.
04
25% back
Paid as cash against your qualified spend. We track every eligible dollar from day one.
What qualifies
- Panamanian crew wages and per diems
- Local equipment, vehicle and gear rental
- Location fees, permits and set services
- Hotels, ground transport and catering
- Post (DIT, File transmission) and lab services contracted in Panama
Key details
- $500,000 minimum qualifying spend
- Capped at $25M per project
- Filed through a licensed local producer — a legal requirement, and that's us
- Disbursed as cash after wrap, once the government compliance audit clears — a process that can take up to 36 months
- That compliance audit is handled only by certified (CPA) accountants — we work with Panama's most experienced Cash Rebate auditors
- Stacks with 0% duty on temporarily imported equipment
- Panama runs on the US dollar — no currency risk on your rebate