Transfer of Residence

Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

• Passport with residence visa
• Original bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
• Packing list
• Detailed inventory
• Insurance certificate
• Duty free clearance certificate (if applicable)
• Import license (if applicable)
• Bank guarantee (if applicable)

Specific Information

• The owner of the goods should be present for Customs clearance in Sri Lanka.
  • In absence of the owner of the goods, a registered (legalized) Power of Attorney must be submitted with a copy of the owner of the goods’ passport.
• All shipments are subject to Customs inspection.
• It is important that the cargo arrives after the owner of the goods has obtained a residence visa.
• Documents should be received by the destination agent at least 7 days prior to shipment arrival.
  • Full-container-load and air shipments take approximately 3-4 business days for Customs clearance provided all documents are received by the destination agent in advance of shipment.
• All applicable fees must be made prior to clearance of the shipment.
• On the detailed inventory, all electrical items and furniture should be individually priced and the total value should not exceed USD $1000.00 per owner of the goods, according to the assess value by the Customs authority, the duty is payable if it exceeds the given amount.
• Only one electrical item of any kind is permitted.
• Refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, dishwashers, dehumidifiers, air conditioners, and home theaters are not considered household goods.
• Diplomats can only import duty-free if clearance certificate is produced. 

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

• Passport
• Certificate of title / registration
• Purchase receipt
• Appropriate application forms (contact the destination agent for correct form)

Specific Information

• Vehicle must be right-hand drive.
• There are many conditions under which a motor vehicle may be imported.
  • It is essential that an owner of the goods contact the destination agent to verify the correct applicable form and required vehicle criteria for import.

IAM Note:  Vehicles may be imported only under certain conditions.  Contact the destination agent for specific information prior to import.

Pets

Documents Required

• Vaccination record
• Veterinary health certificate
• Import permit

Specific Information

• Authorization from the Director General of the Department of Animal Production and Health (DAPH) must be obtained prior to the import of a live animal.
• Pets are subject to examination upon arrival.
• Pets accompanied by their owners are easier to clear than pets traveling via cargo; if a pet travels by cargo, a tax identification number (TIN) may be necessary.
• The import permit must be obtained at least 2 weeks prior to importation from the Director General, Department of Animal Production and Health and valid for 90 days from the date of issue.
• Dogs and cats are subject to a quarantine period of 30 days in the owner’s residence, identified on the Quarantine Surveillance Agreement. 
  • The owner of the goods’ full address and telephone number must be identified on the form.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

• Satellites, remote control equipment, telephones and fax machines need special approval must be obtained prior to shipment arrival.
  • An operation manual must accompany each item.

Prohibited Items

• Narcotics
• Pornographic materials
• Anti-religious materials

Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

• Passport
• Swedish Customs form (Foersaekran)
• Detailed inventory in English or Swedish
• Bill of lading (WBL) / air waybill (AWB)
• Letter of employment / lease agreement
• Residence permit (non - citizens)
• Diplomatic franchise
• Stamped copy of registration at the Swedish Tax Office
• Original Swedish customs form

Specific Information

• The letter of employment / lease agreement must show employment or time abroad for at least 12 months from origin country and must show employment and residence in Sweden for at least 12 months.
• The detailed inventory must be descriptive, stating contents of each item and carton and cannot include expressions such as “miscellaneous,” “garage items,” “PBO” (packed by owner),” etc.
• Diplomatic franchise from registration at Swedish Tax Office / Skatteverket or extracted from Swedish population register (diplomats)
• Household goods, including but not limited to, furniture and personal effects must be used for at least 6 months prior to import.
• Shipments must arrive within 12 months after the owner of the goods’ arrival (non - citizens).
• For returning citizens, the consignment must arrive in connection with their own return.
• The owner of the goods must be registered in Sweden upon Customs clearance, but is not required to be present during the clearance process.
• Household goods and personal effects must not be brought into Sweden for commercial use or for the use of other persons.
• A physical inspection of the shipment is generally not required for Customs clearance, but Customs may request that one be completed.
• A Customs exemption is granted for goods other than alcohol, for persons immigrating or returning to Sweden after more than 12 months outside the European Union (EU), and must have had a permanent residence in Sweden for at least 12 months.
• All wooden material used for crates, lift vans, and bulk heads must be made of treated wood per the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM15) and with a certified stamp.
  • This does not apply for manufactured furniture.

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

• Original sales invoice
• Title / registration
• Original bill of lading
• Proof of insurance 

Specific Information

• Proof that insurance has been paid for the last 12 months.
• Original sales invoice must include price, date, and place of purchase.
• The vehicle must be used and owned by the owner of the goods for at least 12 months prior to import.
• Only one vehicle per person can be imported.
• Vehicles not included as part of the household goods shipments are subject to customs fees, duties and value added tax (VAT).
• Customs clearance takes approximately 1-2 days.
• Vehicles may not be sold within 12 months of import.

Pets

Documents Required

• Vaccination record
• Veterinary health certificate

Specific Information

• Permission from the Agriculture Department is required.
• All animals are subject to quarantine regulations.
• The quarantine period takes approximately 4 months.
• The owner must be present for Customs clearance.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

• Medicine is allowed with a doctor’s prescription and must be for personal use only; only a 5-day supply is permitted.
• New furniture is permitted if a sales invoice with prices, date, and place of purchase as well as a packing list is given.
• Plants, fruit, and vegetables require a plant passport / phytosanitary certificate issued by the Plant Protection Service.
  • Contact the destination agent for specific information.
• Special permission is required for products and goods made from animals.
• Alcohol and tobacco:
  • Must be declared and are subject to tax and duty.
  • Subject to destruction at Customs discretion (charges will still apply).
  • Importation may be expensive.
  • Customs clearance takes approximately 3 weeks.
  • Contact the destination agent for details.
• Firearms

Prohibited Items

• Narcotics and illegal drugs

Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

• Copy of passport with clear photo
• Copy of bill of lading (OBL) / CMR (Road) / air waybill (AWB)
• Originally signed Customs form 18.44 (application for duty & tax-free clearance of removal goods)
• Supplemental declaration for alcoholic products
• Detailed inventory list
• Copy of residence permit (except for Swiss citizens and immigrants from the 15 initial EU states and from the EFTA states)
  • If not yet available, copy of the work contract or letter of employment from Swiss employer (all confidential data such as salary, bonus, etc may be deleted)
• Registration at local Swiss town hall
• Coy of lease agreement / purchase contract (property title)
• Detailed packing list in German, French, Italian, or English
• Proof of stay more than 1 year outside of Switzerland (military booklet, attestation from Swiss Consulate or earlier de-registration) (returning citizens)
• Original Customs form 14.60 provided by employer, duly signed, and stamped (diplomats)
• Copy of "Carte de Légitimation" (diplomats)

Specific Regulations

• The importation of used household goods and personal effects into Switzerland is usually duty and tax free.
• All documents must be available at the time when the Customs formalities are affected.
  • If documents are missing, Customs formalities can only arrange a temporary clearance.
  • In these circumstances, Swiss Customs will levy an appropriate fee or ask for a deposit which is laid down according to the volume of the removal.
• The "Carte de Légitimation" takes approximately 2 months to obtain.
• Used household goods may be imported if it is in the owner of the goods’ possession, has been used abroad for at least 6 months, are for the continued use of the owner of the goods, and correspond to the normal requirements of an intended resident after importation.
• Personal office goods and papers belonging to the owner of the goods are considered household goods.
• Returning Swiss citizens qualify for duty-free entry if the duration of employment abroad exceeded 12 months.
• If possible, all goods should be imported in one consignment.

• If one or more documents are missing, generally the residence permit, import clearance can be arranged on a temporary basis, but a certain amount will need to be granted to Swiss custom’s. This amount will be refunded once all missing documents are provided, but within a maximum delay of 6 months. Swiss mover might ask you to advance the money
• Diplomats must have the Carte de Legitimation, which takes approximately 2 months to obtain. Clients who are not officially changing residence from abroad will have to pay duties and taxes

• People officially changing residence from abroad to Switzerland, can import duty free, all their effects. These have to be in their possession and being used at least 6 months prior to their official date of change of residence Effects can not be sold for a period of 1 year(date that will be shown on their residence permit) All documents must be available at the time when the Customs formalities are done.

• Later consignments should be listed on the inventory of the first shipment.
• • If a later shipment is to follow, it should be noted on the owner of the goods’ declaration of personal household goods under the appropriate section.
  • If the owner of the goods can prove that he is unable to proceed with the clearance of a second shipment, Customs will extend a delay for clearance up to 24 months from the date of the first clearance.
• Unaccompanied hand baggage may be imported duty free, provided it consists only of used personal effects and/or books.
  • The shipment should be accompanied by an inventory and is subject to Customs inspection.
• If a secondary home is bought or rented, import of removal goods is free of duties and taxes.
  • However, importation must occur close to the time of the issue of the purchase or lease contract.
  • Cars do not fall under this rule and are not duty and tax-free, even if used. 

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

• Official foreign driver’s license
• Original certificate title
• Original bill of sale / purchase invoice

Pets

Documents Required

• Vaccination record
  • Rabies required
• Veterinarian health certificate in German, French, Italian, or English
• Blood analysis may be requested depending on country of origin

Specific Regulations

• For countries with urban rabies, a blood analysis is required. 
  • The import of the pet can only be done 4 months after the vaccination.
• The veterinary health certificate must include the following information:
  • Name and address of owner of the goods
  • Description of animal (breed, sex, age, color)
  • An attestation that the animal was clinically examined by a veterinarian prior to vaccination and found to be healthy
  • Date of the preventive vaccination against rabies, type of vaccine, name of vaccine producer, and serial number of vaccine
  • Stamp and signature of the veterinarian
• The import of pets is allowed with some restrictions; check with the destination agent for details.
• Potential owners of the goods should contact a Swiss Customs authorities or a local agent in Switzerland no less than 6 months prior to import if it has not been determined the pet will be permitted for import.
• The vaccination must have been administered no less than 30 days prior, but no more than 12 months after entering Switzerland.

Antiques, Artifacts, Carpets, Paintings

Documents Required

• Written letter of confirmation
• List of paintings with artist names and values

Specific Regulations

• For all pictures and paintings, the owner of the goods must submit a letter to Customs attesting that none of the imported items are original artwork.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

• Food products
• Tobacco
• New articles and consumer goods, which do not correspond to normal household requirements are dutiable. Purchas invoice is required.
• Furnishings, which do not correspond to normal household requirements
• Weapons, including firearms (a permit is required)
• The following items are admitted duty and tax free, provided they are destined for one’s own requirements:
  • Used motor cars and/or used motor boats (at least 6 months)
  • Maximum 12 liters of hard liquor over 25% volume
  • Maximum 200 liters of red / white wine, champagne
  • Hunting rifles
• The following conditions apply to the import of alcohol:
  • Swiss Customs authorities will personally assess whether the quantity of alcoholic beverages imported corresponds with the size of the shipment.
  • The maximum duty-free allowance for:
    • Spirits and liquors exceeding 25% alcohol by volume is 12 liters
    • Red or white wine is 200 liters
    • Champagne or other alcohol less than 25% alcohol by volume, depends on the size of the shipment

Prohibited Items

• Drugs and narcotics
• Weapons (other than sporting and hunting guns)
• Ammunition
• Anti-radar equipment
• Animal products from protected / endangered species (ivory, skins etc.)
• Fake items (e.g. watches, faked brand name & model items)

Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

• Copy of passport
• Copy of residence permit / residency visa on passport
• Employment visa with entry stamp of UAE if residence visa not ready / Emirates ID copy / Emirates ID application form / Visa applicable form etc.
• Bill of lading (express release) / air waybill (AWB)
• Detailed packing list in English
• Letter from Ministry of Foreign Affairs for exemption from the payment of Customs duties (diplomats)
• Copy of diplomatic card (diplomats)
• Letter of authorization / undertaking

Specific Information

• All documents must be in place prior to shipment arrival on port
• Without a residence visa or passport, shipments will not be cleared, nor will the shipping line release the delivery order or release order for the shipment.
• Import shipments may be intensively inspected by Customs authorities with charges incurred.
• The importation of household goods and personal effects into the UAE is exempted from Customs duties. 
• If any prohibited items are found during the Customs inspection, severe punishment will be imposed including fines, imprisonment, or both. All import duties are charged based on the costs, insurance, and freight (CIF) value of the shipment.
• Import Duties on new items are changed at 5% of the value of the item and VAT on total shipment value is 5% as well.
  • It takes approximately 4 - 5 work days for sea shipments, 3 - 4 days for air shipments.
  • Shipments not cleared within 5 days from the arrival date at the port will not have a free port storage period granted and the shipment will attract port charges from the first day of arrival.
• Shipments that arrive before the weekend i.e. Friday and Saturday will automatically lose two days of Customs clearance and the shipment can become more susceptible to incurring port storage charges.

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

• Copy of passport
• Copy of residence visa on passport
• Copy of diplomatic card (diplomats)
• Residence permit
• Original / express bill of lading
• Authorization letter
• Title / Copy of certificate of origin / registration card from origin country vehicle certificate must include detailed description, including engine number, year of production, colour, etc.
• Copy of commercial invoice / copy of purchase invoice
• Proof of ownership

Specific Information

• The length of ownership is not applicable when deciding duties.
• Duties on new items @ 5% and VAT on total shipment value @ 5% are charged on all motor vehicles and goods.
• Customs will issue vehicle clearance certificate in 2 - 3 days; this document is required for registration with the traffic department.
• Jebel Ali has tremendous port congestion, therefore, be aware of delays in clearing shipments, the time frame is approximately 1 - 2 weeks from the arrival date of shipment.
• Owners of the goods that are bringing cars must be able to provide a copy of their UAE residence visa or no clearance and release will take place.
• The vehicle can be older than 10 years with approval of local agent.
• Vehicles with tinted glass restricted for import.
• Only left handed cars are allowed.
• Details needed for Customs clearance:
• Model of the vehicles with the model number
• Colour of the vehicle
• Year of manufacture
• Current market value
• Engine and chassis number
• Weight of the vehicle (if applicable)

Pets

Documents Required

• Owner’s passport
• Owner’s UAE residence visa
• Certificate of vaccination
• Veterinary health certificate
• Import permit

Specific Information

• Permission from the embassy is required for importation.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

• The following items may qualify for free import if within the limits indicated:
  • Cigarettes (400), cigars (50), tobacco (500)

Prohibited Items

• Weapons of all kinds
• Military uniforms
• Alcohol and spirits
• Narcotics of all kinds, including poppy seeds, flowers and leaves
• Banned substances, including drugs and medicines
• Radio transmitters, wireless transmitters and communication equipment
• Gambling games
• Statues and figures of animals with religious undertones
• Carvings and statues of humans (especially nude)
• Pornographic materials
• Controversial political and religious literature and materials contrary to Islamic principles
• Toxic and radioactive materials
• Items manufacture by Israeli black-list and of Israeli origin
• Food items containing pork
• Articles made from endangered animals or made of ivory or rhinoceros horn
• Any other goods, the importation of which is prohibited under the authority of U.A.E. Customs laws or any other laws in the country