In this guide
To choose a consultant in Mariano Roque Alonso, start with the job: tax and bookkeeping, setting up a company, importing or exporting, or hiring staff. Then ask two advisers for a written proposal with scope, deadlines and fees. In a city of river ports, warehouses and logistics parks along the Transchaco highway, it also pays to know whether you need a licensed customs broker rather than an accountant.
What kind of advice does your business need?
Mariano Roque Alonso now sells itself as a logistics, retail and property hub, with port terminals, warehouses, distribution centres and new office projects, and it is one of the country's main gateways for goods (Infonegocios, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). Match the adviser to the work:
- Tax and bookkeeping: monthly filings, ledgers and e-invoicing. Look for someone fluent in the DNIT (opens in a new tab)'s Marangatú system, where returns are filed.
- Foreign trade: if you import or export, customs work goes through a licensed customs broker (see below).
- Setting up a company: many simple EAS companies can be registered without a middleman.
- Employment and legal: contracts, dismissals, claims. To represent you in court you need a lawyer registered with the Supreme Court (opens in a new tab).
Importing or exporting? An accountant is not a customs broker
Import formalities with the DNIT and the filing in the importer single window (VUI) are handled by a despachante de aduanas, a broker licensed by Customs who acts for the importer or exporter, as the DINAVISA import guide (opens in a new tab) spells out. Since 1 January 2026, the Digital Customs Declaration is the document for imports and exports, replacing pre-printed paper forms (DNIT (opens in a new tab)).
Before hiring one, ask:
- Whether their licence is current, and to see it.
- What the fee covers: tariff classification, permits from other agencies, freight, storage.
- Who coordinates with your accountant so imports are booked correctly for tax.
Do you need an adviser to set up an EAS?
For a simplified joint-stock company (EAS), the Ministry of Industry and Trade (opens in a new tab) says registration is online at eas.mic.gov.py, takes up to 72 hours at no cost with the standard articles, and has no minimum or maximum capital. The legal representative logs in with an electronic ID and must be Paraguayan or hold a Paraguayan cédula, so foreigners should sort out residency first. An adviser earns their fee with several partners, custom articles or large contributions.
Free help and business matchmaking nearby
- SBDC San Lorenzo business centre. The ministry's small-business centre for the Central department, run by the Paraguayan Industrial Union (opens in a new tab). In 2025 the centres in San Lorenzo, Encarnación and Alto Paraná gave direct technical help to 1,170 clients, mostly micro-businesses (Última Hora, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). Its workshops were held at Ceprocal-UPA, Lope de Vega and San Antonio (Última Hora, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). Check the current schedule first.
- The Expo business round. In 2023 and 2024 the Expo Rueda Internacional de Negocios ran at the ARP showground during the July Expo. In 2023 it was free, 40% of sign-ups were micro-businesses, and consulting and legal advice were among the listed sectors (Infonegocios, 2023 (opens in a new tab); Última Hora, 2024 (opens in a new tab)).
- FEPY in Luque. The Industrial Union held its trade fair with an international business round on 3–5 June 2026 at the Paraguayan Olympic Committee in Luque (Última Hora (opens in a new tab); La Nación (opens in a new tab)). Consulting slots filled up before registration closed (La Nación (opens in a new tab)), so sign up early.
What to check before you hire
- Invoice and RUC: every sale of services needs an invoice (Sedeco via ABC Color (opens in a new tab)). Ask for the adviser's RUC and an invoice for each payment.
- Not barred: the DNIT (opens in a new tab) publishes lists of businesses barred for tax sanctions and of taxpayers in arrears.
- Written scope: what they deliver, by when, and what costs extra, such as amended returns or extra meetings.
- Deadline reminders: with bookkeeping, what you are really paying for is never missing a due date.
Planning meetings
Mariano Roque Alonso is about 18 km from Asunción (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)) and nearly everything runs along the Transchaco (PY03), its main avenue (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). In May 2026 passengers were waiting up to half an hour for a bus on that stretch (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)). Hold the first meeting by video call and save the visit for signing or reviewing documents, away from rush hour. Bring a one-page brief: what the company does, headcount and the decision you need to make.
Looking for an office or warehouse too? See our guide to real estate agencies in Mariano Roque Alonso.
FAQ
Do I need a customs broker to import into Paraguay?
Yes. DNIT formalities and the filing in the importer single window are handled by a licensed customs broker acting for the importer.
Do I need an adviser to set up an EAS?
Not always. The ministry says it is online, up to 72 hours and free with standard articles. The legal representative must be Paraguayan or hold a Paraguayan cédula.
Is there free small-business advice near Mariano Roque Alonso?
The ministry's business development centre for the Central department is in San Lorenzo and offers technical help to small firms. Check its schedule before going.
How do I know an accountant is in good standing?
Ask for their RUC and an invoice for every payment, and check they are not on the DNIT's lists of barred businesses or taxpayers in arrears.
