Guest pammyj50 Posted October 16, 2004 #1 Share Posted October 16, 2004 Does anyone know anything about shopping in the free zone? Is it safe? How do you get there? What is there to buy. Can anyone go there. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishinguspo Posted October 16, 2004 #2 Share Posted October 16, 2004 My wife and I were regretful that we did not have more time to shop at the free zone. We found out about it after we did a tour. 40 square acres of wholesale and retail outlets selling everything from soup to nuts. My wife purchased 300 worth of perfume for a mere $80. Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Rolex, Levi, Ray Ban, etc, is available for a fraction of the cost because there is not transportation, tariff, taxing costs. Is it safe?? We walked it for about two hours, no problem. It is within 100 yards from the port, just walk out side of the port area, hang a left, get past all the hawks selling their wares. You will see a side street with security guards, they are there to keep out the locals, if they ask show them your passport, drivers license, etc, and shop to your hearts content. Take a large suit case and put your real suit case inside of it. Then when you get off the ship take that large suit case with you to the free zone and SHOP, SHOP, SHOP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marjmy Posted October 16, 2004 #3 Share Posted October 16, 2004 is this beyond the stores that are right at the port, or is this what you are speaking of, just trying to visualize where you are, when we dock at the pier, there is a walkway to some stores, is that the free zone if so doesnt look like 40 acres, sounds like we missed something. Please enlighten me, this sounds good.thanks in advance Marjorie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheTerrys Posted October 30, 2004 #4 Share Posted October 30, 2004 You can go on your browers and look up "Colon Free Zone" it has a ton of information on it. What I found is - "The Colon Free Zone operates mainly on a wholesale policy. Some companies may sell retail to tourists, but there are strict customs regulations. Nobody can leave The Free Zone with their merchandise. Wholesale consignments must leave with an authorized carrier with the proper customs documents. Smaller retail purchases must be sent in-bond from the Colon Free Zone to Tocumen international Airport, where they are delivered to departing passengers. Normally they will be there on the day after your purchase." So my question is if you do buy something how do you get it back to the ship? And also how safe is it to get there? This place looks huge on the Colon Free Zone website. I have a post on AOL Travel board about this and no one has made a reply. And I have not seen any other people asking about it either. Except on this board with only one person saying that they have been there. Maybe our TA can tell me something about this. Good luck and if anyone finds out more information on Colon Free Zone could you e-mail it to me. Thanks Cheryl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floridarob Posted October 30, 2004 #5 Share Posted October 30, 2004 I bought a bottle of Bacardi rum there before and believe me, all I drink is Bacardi (when I drink). This was a fake bottle, not Bacardi although it was in a Bacardi bottle just like an original. I couldn't believe it, I couldn't even stand the taste. I was telling a friend of mine in retail (he worked for Federated, they sell to the shops on board of cruiselines) he said Panama has the biggest amount of fake products next to Thailand. That explained it...so if the price seems toooo good, maybe check the product again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruises n Vegas Posted November 16, 2004 #6 Share Posted November 16, 2004 It is within 100 yards from the port, just walk out side of the port area, hang a left, get past all the hawks selling their wares. You will see a side street with security guards, they are there to keep out the locals, if they ask show them your passport, drivers license, etc, and shop to your hearts content. Take a large suit case and put your real suit case inside of it. Then when you get off the ship take that large suit case with you to the free zone and SHOP, SHOP, SHOP. What port are you talking about? Cristobal or Colon? I think that might be the confusion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panamaguides Posted November 19, 2004 #7 Share Posted November 19, 2004 I bought a bottle of Bacardi rum there before and believe me, all I drink is Bacardi (when I drink). This was a fake bottle, not Bacardi although it was in a Bacardi bottle just like an original. I couldn't believe it, I couldn't even stand the taste. I was telling a friend of mine in retail (he worked for Federated, they sell to the shops on board of cruiselines) he said Panama has the biggest amount of fake products next to Thailand. That explained it...so if the price seems toooo good, maybe check the product again.[/QUO PANAMANIANS AUTORITHIES WILL CANCEL ANY LICENSE TO THE COMPANIES THAT ARE FOUND SALING FAKE PRODUCTS AND PROCESS TO THE LAW ANYONE FOUND GUILTY........ YOU BETTER ASK YOUR FRIEND WERE HE FOUD THAT INFO AND REMEMBER THE BACARDY RUM IS MADE ON SEVERAL PLEACES, THAT MY CHANGE A LITTE IT FLAVOR ....PLS BE SURE BEFORE ACUSE A COUNTRY OF SALE FAKE PRODUCTS..(RESPECT IS GOOd) i JUST DONT WANT TO BELIEVE THAT AS YOU ARE FROM FLORIDA YOU MAY BE TALKING AGAINST THE COLON TRADE ZONE ( 1-HONG KONG 2- PANAMA 3- MIAMI) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panamaguides Posted November 19, 2004 #8 Share Posted November 19, 2004 COLON 2000 IS THE PORT Welcome to the home of the world's second largest Free Zone on the Web. The Colon Free Zone is a gigantic entity at the Atlantic gateway to the Panama Canal, dedicated to re-exports of an enormous variety of merchandise to Latin America and the Caribbean. We offer you a complete guide to the Free Zone and its companies. You can easily search for the company, trademark, product or service you’re looking for. Follow the links above to find general information, such as travel, how to establish a company in the Colon Free Zone, representation and other services. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FirstTimeCruise Posted February 8, 2005 #9 Share Posted February 8, 2005 Panama Guides - I tried to email you but I could not. I wanted to ask you some questions about your country and the Free Trade Zone. Email me at worldshopper@att.net Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yst347 Posted February 8, 2005 #10 Share Posted February 8, 2005 We spent the last hour before sailing shopping in the free trade zone. We could have spent the entire day there and not visited every shop. It is massive. Our cab driver told us that we would not be questioned about purchases we could carry out our selves but that we would not be allowed to bring large obvious items out. We would be required to have them shipped; items such as plasma tv's etc. I just brought backpack to carry our purchases. I bought a shirt and a basketball, my wife bought a swim suite a beach bag and some other items of clothing. I doubt we spent 40 buck. To get there leave to port and go left. The road will make a 90 degree right turn after a block. When you turn right the wall surrounding the zone will be on your left. You can enter at any open gate, just walk in. We saw alot of the crew shopping in the zone. If you are unsure about anything just ask a crew member. yst Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FirstTimeCruise Posted February 11, 2005 #11 Share Posted February 11, 2005 They say if you make large purchases; they have to take items back to ship for you and fill out paperwork. What are they talking about? Also, do the companies in the FTZ sell you one item at a time or do you have to buy like a dozen? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yst347 Posted February 12, 2005 #12 Share Posted February 12, 2005 They say if you make large purchases; they have to take items back to ship for you and fill out paperwork. What are they talking about? Also, do the companies in the FTZ sell you one item at a time or do you have to buy like a dozen? It is a bit of a mixed bag. Many stores in the free trade zone are like retail stores anywhere. Items are on shelves etc. The free trade zone is like the shopping district in any city or town, only it has a wall around it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishinguspo Posted February 13, 2005 #13 Share Posted February 13, 2005 The wall is to keep out the locals, as long as you are from another country, no problem shopping there. You can buy anything, from a cargo ship to a tooth pick. I intend to take an extra wheeled suit case with me, and intend to fill it as much as I can. Last time I was in Colon, I regret having taken an excursion and not spend the entire day shopping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramseslee Posted February 18, 2005 #14 Share Posted February 18, 2005 My Family Have A Little Store In The Free Zone , So Fill Free To Ask Any Question In The Post Or To My E-mail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn452 Posted February 18, 2005 #15 Share Posted February 18, 2005 We will be in port 2 March and would enjoy visting your parents store. What do they sell? Would like to meet you also. Captain ronn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramseslee Posted February 18, 2005 #16 Share Posted February 18, 2005 the truth is that the store sales printer products the name is "amofisa" but is not very helpful for you as tourist, but i will be glad to give you the information you need so you can enjoy your visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LimeNoSalt Posted February 18, 2005 #17 Share Posted February 18, 2005 What other type of items do they sell in the free zone. Do they take American dollars? Do alot of the people selling speak English? Why are the local people not allowed to buy there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn452 Posted February 19, 2005 #18 Share Posted February 19, 2005 Ramseslee, Any information you can pass on will be great! I look forward to being in Panama again! Captain Ronn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyminiah Posted February 20, 2005 #19 Share Posted February 20, 2005 My Family Have A Little Store In The Free Zone , So Fill Free To Ask Any Question In The Post Or To My E-mail We will be comming in October and want to know how far this is from the Cristobal Pier and how do we get there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramseslee Posted February 21, 2005 #20 Share Posted February 21, 2005 From the port to the free zone is about 15 minutes or less , the free zone is a place for international business only so that the main reason the colonoses cannot buy in the free zone , and also allow that the tourist enter to buy without any tax, and yes we use dollars since panama exit :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramseslee Posted February 21, 2005 #21 Share Posted February 21, 2005 almost forgot, the english level will be 75% of sales reps dont speak english, 50% of the manager or owners speaks english. This not and official data is just the way a see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LimeNoSalt Posted February 22, 2005 #22 Share Posted February 22, 2005 ramseslee, thanks for answering those questions --this is all very interesting. hopefully we will be able to stop by the free zone and see what this all about. thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyminiah Posted February 22, 2005 #23 Share Posted February 22, 2005 From the port to the free zone is about 15 minutes or less , the free zone is a place for international business only so that the main reason the colonoses cannot buy in the free zone , and also allow that the tourist enter to buy without any tax, and yes we use dollars since panama exit :) Sorry I am not clear still....When we get off the ship in Cristobal, we can just take a cab to Colon? My itinerary says that we arrive at 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, what time does the shops close? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKB Posted February 26, 2005 #24 Share Posted February 26, 2005 Good question, I'd also like to know what the trading hours are. We arrive Cristobal 6pm and leave 11pm Tuesday Will the shops be open and is it safe to travel that time of night ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WCAB Posted February 26, 2005 #25 Share Posted February 26, 2005 Sounds like the cruise line discourages trips to the free zone. Are there many that go anyway? Are prices fixed or negotiable? The savings on perfume sounds great. Would love to shop for some jewlery and designer purses. Carol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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