Contents of this guide
What to look at first in a commercial warehouse
For a business, the warehouse is an extension of the operation and not just a storage room. The first factor is location relative to customers, suppliers and delivery points. Supreme Storage’s website says its branches are in the city center, in Vía Brasil, Bella Vista, Costa del Este and Paitilla, according to its commercial page.
The second is how goods come in and out. A space with good vehicle access and a level floor avoids the use of forklifts. The third is protection: the company lists a climate-controlled environment, security and covered parking within the monthly fee. The fourth is flexibility: the website says only the needed square meters can be rented, the size can be reduced if the warehouse is left empty, and space can grow with the pace of the business.
Size by type of inventory
Supreme Storage’s frequently asked questions page links each category to a use. For businesses, these are the relevant references:
| Category | Area | Use mentioned on the website |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 5 to 9 m² | Accounting records or small inventory |
| Medium | 10 to 19 m² | Inventory of a 20 foot container |
| Large | 20 to 100 m² | Inventory of a 40 foot container |
| Special | more than 100 m² | Inventory storage and distribution centers |
Source: Supreme Storage frequently asked questions. An advisor calculates the exact space from what is going to be stored.
As an order of magnitude, a 20 foot ISO container measures about 5.867 by 2.330 meters inside, according to Wikipedia, which is about 13.7 m² of floor, a Radar calculation that fits the Medium range. Goods are not stowed in a warehouse the way they are in a container, so the real calculation includes aisles, shelving and an order preparation area. That is why it is worth asking the advisor for a calculation based on the real inventory and not on the container’s nominal capacity.
Dock, unloading and equipment
Supreme Storage’s commercial page describes a level loading and unloading dock for cars and vans, and another level area for 20 and 40 foot containers. According to the same page, no forklift is needed, because containers are unloaded at ground level with jack pallets. The company lends jack pallets, hand trucks and carts at no cost.
This changes the logistics of a small operation. A business that receives goods by container can plan the unloading with its own staff and the equipment the branch lends, without hiring a crane or a forklift. The website adds that each branch has covered parking and a large unloading area. The exact conditions at each branch, including truck reception hours, are confirmed with the chosen branch, listed on the branches page.
| Type of delivery | What the website says | What to confirm with the branch |
|---|---|---|
| Car or van | Level dock | Access height and parking |
| 20 foot container | Level unloading with jack pallets | Date, handling and staff |
| 40 foot container | Level unloading with jack pallets | Date, handling and staff |
| Goods on pallets | Jack pallets at no cost | Amount of equipment available |
6, 12 and 24 month contracts
Supreme Storage contracts start at 1 month. For businesses, the commercial page offers 6, 12 and 24 month plans and states that the contracted price is kept during the term. Rates are not included in this guide because they are requested directly from the company.
The choice of term depends on how predictable the inventory is. A business with steady volume may prefer a long plan, while one testing a product or a season may start with a short term. Since the website says the size can be adjusted, the decision is not final: if the warehouse is left empty, the space can be reduced. Those managing business costs will find other related obligations in the guides to taxes a company pays in Panama and electronic invoicing.
Supreme Storage describes on its commercial page the flexible space, the loading and unloading dock, the equipment at no cost and the 6, 12 and 24 month plans for businesses.
Ten points for choosing a commercial warehouse
- Location. Distance to customers, suppliers and delivery routes.
- Size. Square meters calculated with inventory, aisles and shelves, not only boxes.
- Space adjustment. The option to grow or shrink, which the commercial page mentions.
- Dock. Floor level, vehicle access and container access.
- Equipment. Jack pallets and hand trucks available, which the company lends at no cost.
- Environment. Climate and humidity control, relevant for paper, textiles and electronics.
- Security. 24-hour security, according to the website.
- Access hours. At all four branches, Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., according to the frequently asked questions; weekend hours vary by branch.
- Contract term. Among 6, 12 and 24 months for businesses, and what happens at the end.
- Included services. Electricity, security, climate control and covered parking in the monthly fee, according to the website.
If the business imports goods under a special regime, the guide to Panama’s special regimes explains which ones exist. For setting up the company that rents the warehouse, the guide to opening a company in Panama details the steps.
Frequently asked questions
What warehouse size is needed for a container’s inventory?
According to Supreme Storage, the inventory of a 20 foot container corresponds to the Medium, from 10 to 19 m², and that of a 40 foot container to the Large, from 20 to 100 m². An advisor calculates the exact space.
Is there a dock for unloading containers?
Yes, according to the commercial page: there is a level area for 20 and 40 foot containers, which are unloaded with jack pallets and no forklift.
What contracts are there for businesses?
The website lists 6, 12 and 24 month plans, and contracts from 1 month in general. It also states that the contracted price is kept.
Can the warehouse size be reduced?
Yes, according to the commercial page: if the warehouse is left empty, the size can be reduced. The space can also be adjusted at any time.
What does the monthly fee of a commercial warehouse include?
According to Supreme Storage, it includes electricity, security, a climate-controlled environment and covered parking, plus loading equipment at no cost.
Related articles
- Taxes a company pays in Panama: income tax, ITBMS, dividends, Notice of Operation and payroll
- How to open a company in Panama: steps, Notice of Operation and taxes
- Electronic invoicing in Panama: who is required, how the SFEP works and how to choose a PAC
- Panama’s special regimes: Colón Free Zone, Panamá Pacífico, SEM and EMMA
Sources
- Supreme Storage, commercial solutions: flexible space, dock, equipment, included services and 6, 12 and 24 month plans.
- Supreme Storage, frequently asked questions: size categories, business uses and hours.
- Supreme Storage, branches.
- Wikipedia, Intermodal container: 20 foot ISO container measurements; the floor area is a Radar calculation.
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