What is Expatriate Property and Personal Belongings Removal?
Expatriate property (or personal belongings) refers to items that are brought by someone moving to a new country, typically for personal use or to meet the needs of their household. These belongings can include things like furniture, personal items, vehicles, and household goods. The rules for transporting these items depend on the country you’re moving from and the country you’re moving to.
What items count as expatriate property?
When moving to another country, the following items are usually considered expatriate property:
Household goods like personal items, furniture, and appliances that you use in your daily life.
Bicycles, motorcycles, and cars (including moving vans or trailers), as well as recreational boats or private planes.
Items for everyday family needs, pets, and even horses.
Portable tools or equipment needed for your job or profession.
Customs Duty Exemption: What Does it Mean?
When you move your personal belongings to a new country, you might have to pay customs duties—this is a kind of tax on items brought from outside the country. However, in some cases, these taxes can be waived (meaning you don't have to pay them). To qualify for this customs duty exemption, you need to meet certain conditions:
The items must have been used by you for at least 6 months before your move.
You must have lived in the country you are moving from for at least 12 months.
The items must be for personal use in your new country of residence, not for business purposes.
How Do You Prove You've Used Your Items for 6 Months?
To prove that you’ve used the items for at least 6 months before your move, you might need to show proof of purchase or ownership. For vehicles, like cars or moving vans, this could be the registration documents in your name, issued at least 6 months before your relocation. You need to provide this information to customs officials when entering the new country.
What About Selling or Renting Your Expatriate Property?
If your belongings have been brought into a country without paying customs duties, you can't sell, rent, or lend them to someone else for 12 months after your move. If you do, you might have to pay the customs duties that were originally waived.
Can You Bring Your Expatriate Property in Multiple Shipments?
Yes, you can bring your belongings in separate shipments within 12 months of moving to your new residence in the EU. This can be helpful if you're not able to transport everything at once.
What Items Are Not Exempt from Customs Duties?
Not all items qualify for customs duty exemption. You will still have to pay customs duties on:
Alcohol,
Tobacco products,
Vehicles used for business (like commercial vans),
Any items used for business or making money, except portable tools you use in your profession.
Customs Procedures: What to Expect
If you’re bringing personal belongings from a country outside the EU, you’ll need to follow a process called customs clearance. This is when customs officials check the items you’re bringing in and decide whether you need to pay duties or if you qualify for an exemption.
Steps for Bringing Personal Belongings from a Non-EU Country to the EU
Prepare export documents: You need to prepare the necessary paperwork from the country you’re moving from.
Customs transit: When you first arrive at the EU border, you’ll need to declare your belongings to customs and start the customs transit process. This is an official procedure where customs keeps track of your belongings while they’re being transported.
Final customs clearance: Once your belongings reach their destination, you’ll go through customs clearance, where you may be asked for additional documentation, such as a list of items and proof that they have been used for at least 6 months.
Documents You’ll Need for Customs Clearance:
Inventory List: A list of the items you’re bringing, their weight, estimated value, and a statement saying they’ve been used for over 6 months.
Proof of Identity: A copy of your passport or ID card.
Proof of Destination Address: For example, a utility bill, rental agreement, or job contract in your new country.
Proof of Previous Residence: Documents showing you’ve lived at your previous address for the last 12 months, such as bank statements, tax bills, or job contracts.
These rules are set by Council Regulation (EC) No 1186/2009, which governs customs duty exemptions within the European Union.
Countries Where These Rules Apply
These rules apply to all countries within the European Union, including:
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
They also apply to countries in the European Economic Area (EEA), such as Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, and to Switzerland, even though it’s not an EU member.
Need Help?
If you have any questions about moving your personal belongings or dealing with customs, feel free to contact us. Our team of experts, with years of experience in customs and international moving services, is here to help.
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