Importing Personal Effects into Austria: Documents & Customs Rules

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

Removal goods

• Copy of shipper’s passport.
• Exit certificate or certificate of stay abroad for at least 12 months (confirmation from the local authority of the previous residence, confirmation by firm or other official proof).
• Copy of packing list.
• Valid Residence Registration Form (primary residence!).
• Power of Attorney (original).
• Austrian Customs Forms (original).

• Only used goods, which have been owned and used for at least 6 months by the immigrants and are intended for use in the country.

• Removal goods can be imported into Austria duty free within 1 year from the change of residence. After customs clearance, the removal goods are blocked for 12 months, i.e. within this period the removal goods may neither be sold nor given away unless the customs duties are subsequently paid.
• Customers who have lived in the European Union prior to the import may need a permit for duty-free importation of household goods ("Grundlagenbescheid") to be obtained at customs office nearest to residence.
• Please contact your destination agent if this permit is necessary. This permit can be obtained by customer or by your destination agent.

Diplomatic removals

• Copy of packing list.
• Copy of shipper’s passport.
• Austrian Customs Forms (original) for diplomatic goods completed and signed by the Embassy/Organisation and attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

• New goods can be imported duty free.
• Alcohol can be imported duty free.
• Import of alcohol is allowed for diplomats but limited to annual quota agreed by the local Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the respective Embassies in the country.

Wedding trousseaux

• Original passport.
• Marriage certificate (notice of banns alone is not enough).
• List in triplicate of the goods to be imported, with declaration by the applicant that the goods are dowry (they can also be new goods).
• Attestation from the Austrian partner to the marriage that he was resident in Austria for at least 6 months before the marriage.
• Valid Residence Registration Form (primary residence!).

• New goods can also be imported duty free.

Inheritance

• Passport of the heir.
• Inheritance certificate (attested by the courts or by a Notary).
• Inventory (attested by the courts or by a Notary).
• Valid Residence Registration Form (primary residence!).
• Death Certificate.

• The inheritance goods must be used.
• Importation must happen within 24 months once acceptance of inheritance is made.

New furniture, domestic appliances, souvenirs

• Purchase invoice.
• Certificate of circulation of goods and import permit where applicable.

• Subject to customs duty and tax.

Gifts

• Purchase invoice in duplicate.
• Import permit where applicable.
• Certificate of origin.

• Subject to customs duty and tax.

Objects of art, antiques

• Invoice for goods in duplicate (if applicable, expert appraisal).

• Antiques, if over 100 years of age, are duty free but subject to VAT.
• Objects of art are subject to customs duty and tax.
• For antiques as a rule, a certificate of appraisal from an Austrian expert is
• required.

Firearms

• Special official permit necessary.
• Import of pump guns forbidden.

Spirits and perfumes

• Same as removal goods

• Only the permitted amounts for travellers are free of duty and tax.

• Subject to import permit, heavy import duties and complicated customs clearance. (It is recommended to avoid importing these products).

Cigarettes and tobacco

• Prohibited.

Plants

• Same as removal goods.
• Plant protection certificate.

• Free of duty.

• Applicable for plants and plant products.

Domestic animals

• Veterinary certificate.
• Inoculation certificate.

• Free of duty.

Exporting Personal Effects from Austria: Documents & Customs Rules

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

Household Goods – Personal Effects

• Packing list (by your local agent)
• Copy of passport

Austria Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

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

Documents

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

• Passport
• Bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
• Detailed inventory (3 copies)
• Residence registration form (primary residence in Austria / Meldezettel)
• Original Austrian Customs forms: ZBefr2a (for returning Austrians, EU citizens, and immigrants who have previously lived in the EU) or ZBefr2 / ZBefr2E (for someone who has never lived in the EU before)
• Original power of attorney
• Exit certificate / certificate of stay abroad for at least 12 months (confirmation from local authority of previous residence, employer confirmation, or other official proof)
• Duty-free permit (Grundlagenbescheid), if applicable
• Invoices for all new furniture, appliances, gifts, and objects of art/antiques (2 copies)

Specific Information

12-month import window: Removal goods can be imported duty-free within 12 months from the change of residence. Partial shipments are permitted within this window. For partial shipments, a guarantee may be required, and a judgement will be made regarding whether the person transferred residence within 12 months from the initial customs clearance.

12-month resale restriction: After customs clearance, removal goods may not be sold, lent, pledged, hired out, or otherwise transferred for 12 months without first paying customs duties and VAT.

Grundlagenbescheid (basic assessment notice): Required if the personal property includes means of transport (motorcycle, car, trailer, camping caravan, pleasure boat, private aircraft), or if the applicant already had a normal place of residence in the EU, or if the applicant is keeping a residence outside the EU after establishing residence in Austria. Apply to the competent customs office before the planned import.

Intra-EU moves: For moves within the EU, no customs formalities are required as goods move freely within the EU single market. However, if the person previously had a residence in the EU before living outside the EU and is now returning, specific forms and potentially a Grundlagenbescheid are needed.

Duties & Taxes

Duty-free conditions (from non-EU countries): Per the Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance (bmf.gv.at), personal property may be imported free of import duties and taxes when transferring normal place of residence to Austria, provided: the personal property belongs to the applicant; the items have been used at the former residence for a minimum of 6 months before the date of departure from the non-EU country; the applicant has lived at the previous residence abroad for at least 12 months (proof required); and the applicant is establishing normal place of residence in Austria.

Goods not eligible for exemption: Alcoholic products, tobacco products, commercial means of transport, and articles for use in a trade or profession (other than portable instruments of the applied or liberal arts).

VAT: Standard Austrian VAT is 20%. For duty-free transfer of residence goods, both customs duty and import VAT are waived.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

• Narcotics and illegal drugs — Strictly prohibited
• Weapons without permit — Prohibited under EU regulations
• Counterfeit goods — Prohibited
• Material propagating violence, terrorism, or immorality — Prohibited
• Products infringing intellectual property — Prohibited

• 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco
• 1 litre spirits over 22% ABV or 2 litres under 22% ABV
• 4 litres still wine, 16 litres beer
• Other goods up to EUR 430 (air/sea) or EUR 300 (land)

• Spirits, cigarettes, tobacco, perfumes for personal consumption PERMIT REQUIRED — An import permit is required
• Antiques (100+ years) — Duty-free but subject to 20% VAT; certificate of appraisal from an Austrian expert may be required
• New furniture, appliances, gifts, souvenirs, objects of art — Subject to duties and taxes; certificate of circulation and import permit required where applicable
• Plants and plant products PERMIT REQUIRED — Plant protection certificate required
• Firearms PERMIT REQUIRED — Strict EU weapons regulations apply
• Endangered species CITES — CITES permits required; issued by BMLUK (Federal Ministry of Agriculture)
• Alcohol within shipments — Subject to excise duties

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: A detailed inventory (3 copies) is required.

Customs forms: The correct ZBefr form must be used. ZBefr2a for returning Austrians/EU citizens/immigrants who have lived in the EU. ZBefr2 or ZBefr2E for those who have never lived in the EU.

Grundlagenbescheid: Must be obtained before shipping if importing vehicles, or if the applicant has maintained EU residence previously.

Port of entry: Vienna (primary), with customs offices at all major cities. Sea freight typically arrives via Hamburg or other northern European ports and is transported overland. Air freight via Vienna-Schwechat.

Currency: Euro (EUR). Austria is part of the Eurozone.

EU member state: Austria is an EU member state. Goods from other EU countries move freely without customs formalities. Only imports from non-EU (third) countries require customs clearance.

Regulatory Updates

• April 2026 (CRITICAL — Pet imports): From 21 April 2026, the movement of pet animals from third countries into the EU is governed exclusively by Part VI of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and its implementing regulations. Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 no longer applies. Old-format veterinary certificates based on Regulation (EU) No 577/2013 may still be issued until 30 September 2026 and remain valid until 31 March 2027. From 1 October 2026, only the new certificate format will be accepted. Confirm current certificate requirements with the destination agent and USDA/APHIS before shipping.
• 2023–2025: Austrian customs continues to use e-zoll electronic customs clearance system. BMF customs information pages updated regularly.
• Ongoing: NoVA (vehicle consumption tax) rates adjusted periodically based on CO2 emission regulations.
• 2025: Tariff Amendment 2025 effective July 1, 2025 (EU-wide tariff changes apply to Austria as an EU member).