BS”D
Panama is known as a destination for fugitives, money launderers and other fine citizens. There is illicit jewelry related trade that goes through there as well.
I have:
1) Brought Cuban cigars in not knowing the law (I thought you could bring them for yourself) – while I won’t do it again and the cigars are d-eck anyway, they now tell you in European duty free that “everyone does it and they don’t check anymore”.
2) Come in with far more than $800 worth of stuff from EY which I was willing to declare so that I left my declaration amount empty.
3) Brought in an extra bottle or two from Duty Free (not going overboard – just 1 or 2 extra).
and never did I have a problem. The only thing I have been asked is whether I have food, I tell them if I do have perfectly legal canned food with me, and that is that.