To start a coffee shop in Paraguay, secure a compliant location and formalize the business fast. Confirm zoning/uso de suelo with the municipality, add lease clauses for hood/venting, three‑phase power if needed, and grease trap. Choose structure (sole proprietor or SRL) and obtain your RUC with the SET; pick the tax regime (IRE Simple for micro or IRE General 10%) and enroll in SIFEN e‑invoicing if you’re mandated. Apply for the municipal patente comercial and habilitación; schedule fire safety and health inspections; ensure staff hold food‑handler health cards; register employees with IPS. For food products, verify sanitary registrations with INAN (imported packaged goods need a registro sanitario; baked goods produced in‑house require an enabled kitchen). Size utilities with ANDE load sheets, install certified electrical protection, and plan backup for outages. Source beans via trusted local roasters or import through a despachante de aduana (classify HS codes, calculate duties/VAT, and test roast profiles). Implement a Bancard POS, accept QR del Paraguay and wallets like Tigo Money, and enable PedidosYa for delivery. Engineer a high‑margin menu (espresso drinks, batch brew, limited SKUs), price IVA‑inclusive, and retain purchase invoices to credit VAT. Launch with Google Business Profile, Instagram Reels, and opening promos locally.
