How to Ship Cremated Remains (Ashes) from Peru Home

Transporting cremated remains from Peru is dramatically simpler and cheaper than full body repatriation. No embalming, no hermetic casket, no TUPA 170 sanitary permit for international body transport. But there are still rules, and getting them wrong means your urn gets confiscated at airport security.

Option 1: Carry Ashes in Your Cabin Luggage

This is the simplest approach if you're traveling home yourself.

Requirements:

• A non-metallic, X-ray-scannable urn or container (TSA and most airlines require this)
• Certified copy of the Death Act from RENIEC
• Cremation certificate from the funeral home
• Your passport

At Peruvian airport security: Declare the ashes. Security will likely inspect the container visually and may swab it. A certified cremation document in hand prevents delays.

At US/UK/Canadian customs: Human ashes are not restricted items. You don't need to declare them on customs forms in most countries, but having the cremation certificate available prevents any questions.

Critical tip: Use a container that X-ray machines can see through. Metal urns, dense ceramic, or stone containers show as solid blocks on X-ray screens and will be opened or refused. Temporary plastic or cardboard containers from the crematorium work perfectly for travel — you can transfer the ashes to a permanent urn at home.

Option 2: Ship Ashes via International Courier

If no one is traveling to Peru to collect the remains:

USPS (to the United States): The US Postal Service accepts cremated remains shipped via Priority Mail Express International or Registered Mail. This is the only approved shipping method for ashes entering the US by mail.

Private couriers (DHL, FedEx, UPS): Policies vary. Some accept cremated remains internationally, some don't. Check current policies before shipping — they change frequently.

Required documentation for shipping:

• Cremation certificate
• Death certificate (certified copy)
• Sender and recipient identification
• Declaration that the package contains human cremated remains

Packaging: Triple-bag the ashes in sealed plastic bags inside the urn, then pack the urn with cushioning material in a sturdy outer box. Ashes can't be replaced if the package is damaged.

Option 3: Peruvian Funeral Home Handles Shipping

Many Lima funeral homes offer international ash shipping as part of their cremation package. They handle the paperwork, packaging, and courier booking. This costs more (typically S/ 1,500-S/ 3,000 above the cremation fee) but eliminates the logistical burden.

Ask your funeral home whether their service includes:

• Proper documentation in both Spanish and English
• Tracking number and insurance
• Delivery to a funeral home or residence in the destination country

What You Don't Need for Ashes

Unlike full body repatriation, transporting ashes does not require:

• The TUPA N° 170 sanitary transfer permit (this is for bodies only)
• Embalming certificates
• Hermetically sealed caskets
• Airline cargo booking (you can carry them as a passenger)
• Consular involvement (though having the CRODA helps for US matters)

Timeline and Costs

Compare this to full body repatriation at $5,000-$12,000 and 7-14 days of intensive coordination. For families where the priority is bringing their loved one home rather than preserving the body intact, cremation followed by ash transport is the practical choice.

The Peru Expat Death Guide covers both repatriation paths — full body and cremated remains — with current airline policies, courier contacts, and the cremation authorization process.

Someone Died in Peru: English Speaker's Emergency Guide →