Contents of this guide
When Black Friday is in Panama
Black Friday is the Friday after US Thanksgiving, which is held on the fourth Thursday of November. In 2026 that Thursday is the 26th, so Black Friday falls on Friday, November 27, 2026, according to Wikipedia’s Black Friday entry. Cyber Monday, the e-commerce day, is the following Monday: November 30, 2026.
Retailers in Panama follow the US date: in 2025 it was Friday, November 28.
At the time of writing (checked on October 5, 2026), no official announcement of a nationwide Black Friday campaign for November could be found. Promotions on that day are up to each retailer.
Black Friday vs. Panamá Black Weekend
Panama has its own sales event on a different calendar. Panamá Black Weekend 2026 ran from October 2 to 4 at 16 malls and shopping plazas, with discounts of up to 70% on selected merchandise, according to the event page on Visit Panama. Panamá América credits the Panamanian Association of Shopping Centers (Apacecom) as organizer, in coordination with the Panama Tourism Authority.
Key dates and November holidays
November is the month of Panama’s national holidays. In 2026, November 28 falls on a Saturday and, as Radar’s guide to Panama’s November holidays explains, the law only moves holidays to Monday when they fall on a Sunday, so it stays put. Friday the 27th is not a mandatory day off.
| Date (2026) | What it is | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, November 3 | Separation of Panama from Colombia | National holiday |
| Tuesday, November 10 | First Cry of Independence | National holiday |
| Friday, November 27 | Black Friday | Not on the list of holidays |
| Saturday, November 28 | Independence of Panama from Spain | National holiday, not moved |
| Monday, November 30 | Cyber Monday | Online sales |
Holidays per Telemetro. The full calendar is in Panama public holidays.
Black Friday comes before the third installment of the thirteenth month pay (décimo tercer mes), which is paid in December. The thirteenth month pay calculator estimates that income, useful for anyone planning to put November purchases on a card.
Consumer rights under Law 45 of 2007
Sales are governed by Law 45 of October 31, 2007, the consumer protection law enforced by Acodeco, the consumer protection authority. The text is in Spanish and is paraphrased here:
- Advertised price. The seller is only entitled to charge the price exactly as advertised. If a product carries more than one price tag, the lower one prevails (article 56).
- Special sales. Each discounted item must show the lowest price of the previous three months and the new sale price (article 64).
- Misleading advertising. It is advertising that leads to error or confusion by presenting information in an inaccurate, limited, false or exaggerated way (article 58). The advertiser must honor the offer, and affected consumers can cancel the sale (article 59).
- Warranty. If a device fails within the warranty period because of a product defect, the seller must repair or replace it within thirty days. If it cannot be repaired, the seller must replace it or refund the money (article 46).
A discount does not cancel the warranty. Even when an item is on promotion, the store has to honor the warranty if it breaks, Acodeco’s Guadalupe Murillo told TVN Noticias in November 2025.
Returning a product after a change of mind is a different matter. Acodeco stated on September 30, 2026 that voluntary returns are not a right recognized by Panamanian law.
How to file a complaint. Acodeco asks consumers to take the claim to the store first and keep the evidence. If there is no answer, a complaint can be filed through its online form. Its Consumer Protection Directorate rules on complaints of up to B/.5,000.00.
Online shopping, mail forwarders and import taxes
Many Black Friday purchases are made at US stores and arrive through a mail forwarder (casillero) or courier. The customs rule is Resolution 049 of February 17, 2025, from the National Customs Authority, whose article 11 sorts shipments by value:
- Small shipments with a customs value of B/.100.00 or less pay no duties or taxes, provided the goods are not prohibited or restricted.
- Shipments above B/.100.00 and below B/.2,000.00 are subject to duties and taxes.
The resolution does not say how much each product pays, because that depends on its tariff classification. The courier company can provide that figure, along with freight, before the purchase.
Checklist before paying
Acodeco’s recommendations of October 1, 2026 apply just as well in November:
- Compare the price days ahead. It shows whether the discount is real.
- Look for both prices. The previous one and the new one must be displayed.
- Check dates and restrictions. Including the terms of any “while supplies last” offer.
- Ask about warranty and exchanges. Voluntary returns depend on each store.
- Ask for the receipt and keep it. Along with the ad or a screenshot of the promotion.
- Add up the real cost. Freight and import charges for forwarded purchases, interest for credit purchases.
Frequently asked questions
When is Black Friday in Panama?
Black Friday 2026 is on Friday, November 27, the day after US Thanksgiving. As of October 5, 2026, no nationwide campaign has been officially announced for that date.
Is Black Friday in Panama on the same day as in the United States?
Yes, retailers in Panama follow the US date. The event with its own date is Panamá Black Weekend, which in 2026 was held from October 2 to 4.
What rights do consumers have if an offer is not honored?
The store must honor what it advertised and charge the price exactly as advertised, under articles 56 and 59 of Law 45 of 2007. The consumer can file a complaint with Acodeco, using the receipt and the ad as evidence.
When is Cyber Monday?
Cyber Monday 2026 is on Monday, November 30, the Monday after Thanksgiving.
Can a product bought on sale be returned?
Not simply because of a change of mind: Acodeco says voluntary returns are not a legal right in Panama and depend on each store. If the product fails under warranty, the seller must repair it, replace it or refund the money, even if it was on promotion.
Related articles
- Panama’s November holidays and long weekends
- Panama public holidays calendar
- Thirteenth month pay calculator
Sources
- Law 45 of October 31, 2007: articles 46, 56, 58, 59 and 64.
- Acodeco: monitoring of Panamá Black Weekend, shopping recommendations, warranty complaints, Consumer Protection Directorate and complaint form.
- National Customs Authority, Resolution 049 of 2025, Gaceta Oficial 30234 A.
- Visit Panama, Panamá Black Weekend and Panamá América.
- TVN Noticias, Black Friday on November 28, 2025 and Telemetro, fiestas patrias 2026.
- Wikipedia, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Sources checked on October 5, 2026.
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