Companies operating under Paraguay’s maquila regime exported US$1.148 billion in the first nine months of 2026, a 25% year-on-year increase, according to the report of the National Council of the Export Maquila Industry (CNIME) published by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and reported by El Independiente. In September alone, shipments totaled US$139 million.
What is exported and where
Four product lines — auto parts, apparel, beverages and aluminum manufactures — account for 69% of exports. Mercosur received 74% of shipments, with Brazil and Argentina as the main destinations.
Employment
The sector closed September with 36,382 jobs, 4% more than a year earlier. Apparel (8,431) and auto parts (7,865) are the largest employers, followed by intangible services, plastics and chemical-pharmaceutical products.
Legal perspective
These results come in the first year of the new Maquila Law No. 7547/2025, which keeps the single 1% tax on national added value or on the export invoice value, whichever is higher. Anyone considering setting up an operation should review the program structure and the maquila contract from the outset. See our investor guides or contact us.
Source: El Independiente (CNIME / MIC data). LFAS Legal Company summary based on the cited source. Data and statements belong to the original publication.