Importing Personal Effects into Albania: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2026 · Download the Albania Import Guide (PDF)

Personal effects

• Diplomats
• Inventory list in Albanian: valued, dated and signed by the shipper, stamped by the Embassy.
• Copy of diplomatic passport
• Copy of diplomatic ID
• Diplomatic note from relevant embassy in Tirana, stamped, (directed to Tirana Customs for seas shipment or directed to Rinas Customs for air shipment).
• Copy of NIPT (Identification number of Taxable Person of the Embassy).
• Non-diplomats (excluded from duties taxes by agreement) - documents to be prepared for uploading on e-Albania portal:
• Inventory list in Albanian, valued, dated and signed by the shipper (please list the items per categories such furniture, clothes, books etc.)
• Notarized copy of passport
• Work certificate from the shipper’s employer in original with letterhead and with stamp of their company. The work period must be specified and must be more than 12 months.
• Job contract translate and notarized. The work period must be specified and must be more than 12 months.
• Work permit.
• Residence permit (temporary residence permit will not be accepted by customs authorities).
• Notarized lease contract of the shipper’s apartment.
• Letter of authorization to handle the customs formalities
• Non-diplomats (paying duties and taxes option):
• Packing list (translated in Albanian).
• Proforma invoice for the goods.
• Declaration from shipper, or the shipper's employer, detailing the reasons to immigrate into Albania.
• Copy of passport.
• Returning Albanian citizens - documents to be prepared for uploading on e-Albania portal:
• Request for duty exclusions including list of the goods which must be used and in reasonable quantity for personal or family use, signed by the person changing the location.
• Original birth certificate.
• Notarized photocopy of passport.
• Family certificate.
• Certificate of change of residence from administrative entity where the person lived before or where they intended to live. Certificate that certifies unregistration in a municipality or respective authority, in origin country.
• Residence permit of where they stayed abroad, translated, and notarized, valid for the period that they stayed abroad.
• Documents that can certify that the citizen has been living abroad for at least 1 year: leasing contract, document from the administrative entity certifying they stayed there, residence permit declared by the police etc., all translated and notarized.
• Certificate from administrative centre where shipper is registered in Albania ("Vertetim Banimi"), or the leasing contract of his residence in Albania.

• Diplomats
• For the inventory list, list the items per category such "furniture", "clothing", books, etc.
• Non-Diplomats (excluded from duties taxes by agreement)
• They will need to access the online application using the following link: https://e-albania.al/ and get authorization for duty exclusion uploading required documents there (customs may ask additional documents if needed).
• Once authorisation for duty exclusion approved and send to client via e-mail from directory of customs, it must be forwarded to the local agent for further clearance procedures (usually is issued with one-month validity so must be required close to arrival date of goods).
• There is a category of non-diplomatic shipments which are excluded from taxes and duties in an agreement between the government and their organization.
• In this case the shipper is applying for duty free customs for his/her personal effects so he/she must provide an
• authorization from the General Directory of Customs
• Customs have the right to ask more supporting documents or duty exemption may not be granted.
• Non diplomats (paying duties and taxes option):
• If they cannot provide any of the required (see list) documents, the option will be by paying duties and taxes approx. 38% of value of goods (proforma invoice and freight cost).
• Returning Albanian citizens:
• Returning Albanian citizens are excluded from import taxes if they stayed abroad for more than 12 months.
• Need to access the online application using the following link: https://ealbania.al/ and get authorization for duty exclusion uploading the required (see list) documents there.
• Customs has the right to ask for supporting documents if they are not convinced or even deny the duty exclusion.
• Once authorisation for duty exclusion approved and send to client via email from directory of customs, it must be forwarded to the destination agent for further clearance procedures (usually is issued with one- month validity so must be required close to arrival date of goods).

Prohibited and restricted items

• Used refrigerators
• AC cooling devices that use gases.
• Used tires
• Ammunition, flare, fireworks
• Gasoline, oil, lighter fluid, kerosene Lighters
• Propane tanks
• Weed killer, Insecticides, other poisons
• Firearms
• Ivory products
• Liquor
• Drugs & medications
• Weapons (knives, swords, etc.)
• Pornography
• Money Jewellery

• For diplomats, check with your destination agent

Exporting Personal Effects from Albania: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2026 · Download the Albania Export Guide (PDF)

Removal Goods – HHG/PE

• Packing list
• Copy of passport
• Proforma invoice
• Letter of transfer from company of employer or personal from client explaining the reason for the move.

Albania Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

Source: IAM Country Guide · Updated 2026-09-05 · Download the Albania Country Guide (PDF)

Documents

Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.

Documents must be uploaded to the e-Albania portal (https://e-albania.al/) to obtain authorisation for duty exclusion:

• Request for duty exclusions, including list of goods in reasonable quantities for personal or family use, signed by the person changing residence
• Original birth certificate
• Notarised photocopy of passport
• Family certificate
• Certificate of change of residence from the administrative entity where the person lived before or where they intend to live in Albania
• Certificate of deregistration from the municipality or relevant authority in the country of origin
• Residence permit from the country where they stayed abroad, translated and notarised, valid for the period they resided abroad
• Documents certifying continuous residence abroad for at least 1 year (e.g., lease contract, municipal certificate, police declaration), all translated and notarised
• Certificate from the administrative centre where the person is registered in Albania ("Vërtetim Banimi"), or a lease contract for their Albanian residence

Documents must be uploaded to the e-Albania portal (https://e-albania.al/):

• Inventory list in Albanian, valued, dated, and signed by the owner (items listed per category: furniture, clothes, books, etc.)
• For electrical appliances, include make, model, and serial number
• Notarised copy of passport
• Work certificate from the owner's employer (original, on letterhead, with company stamp; work period must be specified and exceed 12 months)
• Job contract, translated and notarised (work period must be specified and exceed 12 months)
• Work permit
• Residence permit (temporary residence permits are NOT accepted by customs authorities)
• Notarised lease contract of the owner's apartment in Albania
• Letter of authorisation to handle customs formalities
• Copy of employer's NIPT (Identification Number of Taxable Person)

If the required documents for duty-free import cannot be provided, goods may be imported by paying duties and taxes (approximately 38% of the value of goods, based on the proforma invoice and freight cost):

• Packing list translated into Albanian
• Proforma invoice for the goods
• Declaration from the owner or their employer detailing the reasons for immigration to Albania
• Copy of passport

• Inventory list in Albanian, valued, dated, and signed by the owner, stamped by the Embassy
• Copy of diplomatic passport
• Copy of diplomatic ID
• Diplomatic note from the relevant embassy in Tirana, stamped (directed to Tirana Customs for sea shipments or Rinas Customs for air shipments)
• Copy of NIPT (Identification Number of Taxable Person of the Embassy)

Specific Information

Authorisation process: The duty exclusion authorisation must be applied for through the e-Albania portal. Once approved, the authorisation is emailed to the applicant by the General Directorate of Customs. It is typically issued with a one-month validity period, so the application should be submitted close to the expected arrival date of the goods. The authorisation must be forwarded to the destination agent for further clearance procedures. Customs has the right to request additional supporting documents or to deny the exemption.

Non-qualifying imports: If the foreign citizen cannot provide the documents listed above for the duty-free category, the alternative is to import by paying duties and taxes of approximately 38% of the declared value (proforma invoice plus freight cost).

ISPM 15 (wood packaging): Not specifically addressed in Albanian customs regulations for personal effects. ISPM 15-compliant wood packaging is recommended as Albania aligns its customs procedures with EU standards.

Resale / disposal restrictions: No specific published restriction period, but goods imported duty-free under the transfer of residence exemption should be for personal/family use only and not for commercial purposes.

Scanning fee: Customs declarations with a value exceeding €1,000 are subject to a scanning fee of €22. Declarations under €1,000 incur a €5 scanning fee.

Duties & Taxes

Duty-free conditions: Personal property imported by persons transferring their normal place of residence to Albania is admitted free of import duties, provided the goods have been in the person's possession and used at their former residence for a minimum of 6 months before the date they ceased to reside in the country of departure. Returning Albanian citizens must have resided abroad for more than 12 months to qualify. The exemption does not cover alcohol, tobacco, commercial means of transport, or articles for use in the exercise of a trade or profession (other than portable instruments of the applied or liberal arts).

VAT: Albania applies a standard VAT rate of 20% on imports. For duty-free personal effects under the transfer of residence exemption, VAT is typically waived alongside customs duty. For non-exempt imports, VAT is calculated on the CIF value plus any applicable customs duty.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

• Illegal drugs and narcotics — Strictly prohibited; Albanian law also prohibits import/export of narcotic medications and psychotropic substances
• Radioactive items — Prohibited
• Weapons, explosives, and ammunition PERMIT REQUIRED — Requires police permit
• Knives and deadly weapons — Prohibited
• Meat products — Prohibited
• Plant and plant material — Prohibited without appropriate phytosanitary certification
• Animals without permission PERMIT REQUIRED — Import of animals requires permission from Albanian authorities
• Counterfeit money and goods — Prohibited
• Pornographic material — Prohibited
• Subversive materials — Materials "jeopardising the protection of public order and social society"
• Toxic materials — Prohibited
• Used refrigerators — Prohibited
• AC cooling devices using prohibited gases — Prohibited
• Used tyres — Prohibited
• Propane tanks, gasoline, oil, lighter fluid, kerosene — Prohibited
• Ivory products CITES — Prohibited
• Endangered wild fauna and flora CITES — Restricted; see Albanian customs CITES page
• Military goods and dual-use goods and technology PERMIT REQUIRED — Restricted

The following may be imported duty-free in personal luggage:

• Tobacco: 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g of tobacco
• Spirits: 1 litre of spirits over 22% ABV
• Wine/beverages: 2 litres of distilled wines and beverages, plus 2 litres of still wine
• Perfume: 50g of perfume
• Alcohol within household shipments: Up to 12 bottles

Untaxable limits for accompanied personal luggage:

• By land: goods up to €300 per person
• By air or sea: goods up to €430 per person
• Children under 15: €150 per person

For amounts exceeding the permitted limits, duties and taxes must be paid. The amount is determined by customs authorities after inspecting the shipment.

• Guns, ammunition, and explosives (police permit required)
• Insecticides, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals (licence and registration required)
• Weapons, munitions, and dual-use items (special import provisions)
• Film cameras and camera film (confirm current status with destination agent)

Albania has preferential trade arrangements under the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU, CEFTA (Western Balkans), and FTAs with Turkey and EFTA. Most goods of EU origin enter at 0% or reduced duty with a valid EUR.1 certificate. Without the certificate, MFN rates of 5–15% apply. Albania's customs duty rates are: 0%, 2%, 5%, 6.5%, 10%, and 15%.

Consignment Instructions

Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.

Inventory requirements: A detailed inventory list must be prepared in Albanian, valued, dated, and signed by the owner of the goods. Items should be listed by category (furniture, clothes, books, etc.). Electrical appliances must include make, model, and serial number. All foreign-language documents must be translated into Albanian and notarised.

Inspection: Shipments are subject to customs inspection. Customs authorities reserve the right to request additional supporting documents.

Timing / shipment arrival: The e-Albania authorisation for duty exclusion is typically valid for one month, so it should be requested close to the expected arrival date of the goods. Documents must be received by the agent prior to import.

Owner presence: The owner does not need to be present for customs clearance, but all documentation must be in order and the authorisation must have been obtained in advance.

Routing / transit: Albania has one main commercial seaport at Durrës and the main international airport at Tirana (Rinas). Sea shipments are directed to Tirana Customs; air shipments are directed to Rinas Customs. Diplomatic notes must specify the correct customs office.

Port of entry: Port of Durrës for sea freight. Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (Rinas) for air freight.

Antiques, artefacts, carpets, and paintings: The importation of such items does not require registration upon arrival. However, it is recommended to bring certificates of origin. When exporting artwork and antiques from Albania, the original paperwork showing the items were originally brought into the country is needed to facilitate the process.

Currency: Cash declarations are required when entering or exiting Albania with more than €10,000 or equivalent. Import of local currency (Albanian Lek) is prohibited. Foreign currencies have no import restrictions.

Special territories: Albania has no overseas territories or autonomous regions with separate customs regimes.

Regulatory Updates

• January 2026: The e-Albania portal is now the required channel for uploading duty exclusion documents for both non-diplomats and returning Albanian citizens. Temporary residence permits are not accepted by customs authorities for duty-free import purposes.
• 2024: Albanian Customs Code updated to further align with EU customs procedures.
• 2022 onwards: Progressive tightening of vehicle import emission standards — vehicles must meet at least Euro 4 (used) or Euro 5/6 (new). Vehicles manufactured before 2007 were no longer eligible for first-time registration as of December 31, 2022.