Importing Personal Effects into Curacao: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2025 · Download the Curacao Import Guide (PDF)

Removal goods

• Original passport.
• Packing list (2).
• Express Release Rated B/L or copy Rated AWB.
• Certificate from shipper last place of residence confirming that the shipper has lived there for at least six (6) months prior to the move of all moving family members.
• Certificate of residence (to be obtained at the local department of Civil Registration).
• If appropriate marriage certificate or partnership agreement.
• If shipper does not have his certificate of residence as yet, awaiting his residence permit, at time of arrival he/she will still be able to import his/her belongings by means of a Bank Guarantee / Deposit.
• Completed and signed import duties exemption application form (ask your agent).
• Power of attorney (ask your local agent).

• Household goods are duty free as long as the shipper is in possession of the household goods for at least six (6) months prior to importation. Subject to supporting documents indicating that shipper will establish permanent residence in Willemstad.

• Shipper has to personally be in Willemstad.

Diplomat’s removals

• Free import.

Wedding trousseaux

• Inventory in five copies.
• Marriage certificate.
• Certificate of residence.
• Completed and signed import duties exemption application form (ask your local agent).
• Power of attorney (ask your local agent).

• Duty free entry.

Inheritance

• Inventory in 5 copies certified by a notary.
• Certificate of residence.
• Death certificate.
• Certificate of inheritance (Notary act) where the inherited goods are specified and declared to be bestowed on the consignee.
• Completed and signed import duties exemption application form (ask your local agent).
• Power of attorney (ask your local agent).

• Duty free entry.
• Goods must be imported within one year of inheritance.

New furniture & household articles

• Invoice.

• Subject to payment of duties.

Works of art / Antiques

• Purchase invoice.

• Subject to payment of duties.

Household & electrical appliances

• No documents required, if part of the household effects.

• Mention on the inventory list, the mark and fabrication number.

Other vehicles (sport cars, trailers, boats and among others water scooter)

• Invoice.
• Registration card.
• Ownership title of the vehicle.

• Subject to payment of duties.

Machines, appliances, spare parts

• Invoice.

• Subject to payment of duties.

Presents, souvenirs

• No documents required, if part of the household effects.

Alcohol (wine, …)

• No document required, if part of the household effects and in a reasonable quantity, as well as appropriate to the situation of the shipper/applicant.

• Diplomats: entitled to exemption.
• Please check with your Embassy before shipping.

• Alcohol: 1 litre free entry per family is the norm but Customs will furthermore evaluate each case. Extra quantities will be taxed.

Tobacco

• Same as above.

Food & Tins

• Same as above.

Arms, ammunition, dangerous objects

• Authorisation issued by the Police authorities.

Sport articles

• Depending on the article, subject to payment of duties.

Medicine

• No document required, if part of the household effects and prescribed by a doctor.

Narcotics, drugs

• Prohibited.

Precious metal objects (jewellery, coins)

• No document required, if part of the household effects.

Carpets

• Same as above.

Plants

• Same as above.

Fumigation of Imported wooden materials

• Shipments in wood packing material to have a Seal which certifies that the shipment has received the required treatment (HT) Heated Treatment (a minimum wood core temperature of 56 degrees C for a minimum of 30 minutes) or Methyl Bromide Treatment (the minimum temperature should not be less the 10 degrees C and the minimum exposure time should not fall below 16 hours).
• The wood packing material must be marked in a visible location on each article, on at
• least two opposite sides of the article with a legible and permanent mark in black ink. Labels and adhesives are not allowed. The mark should be as follows: Where XX is the country code, 000 the producer number, YY the treatment type and AAA the inspection agency logo.
• This does not apply to wood packaging materials manufactured of:
• Raw wood of 6 mm thickness or less,
• Processed wood produced by glue, heat and pressure or a combination thereof,
• Plywood sheets & agglomerated sawdust sheets,
• Sawdust & wooden fibre.

Exporting Personal Effects from Curacao: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2025 · Download the Curacao Export Guide (PDF)

Removal Goods – HHG/PE

• Copy passport
• Inventory list

Curacao Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

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

Documents

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

Confirmed by the AMC Cargo Services exemption guide (updated November 2023):

• Original passport (with immigration stamp page) for the applicant and, if applicable, relocating partner
• Original packing list (2 copies), signed, with full inventory of household goods and declared values
• Express release rated bill of lading (B/L) or rated air waybill (AWB)
• Certificate from the shipper's last place of residence confirming that the shipper lived there for at least 6 months prior to the move (for all relocating family members)
• Certificate of residence from the local Curaçao civil registration department (Kranshi; form BB-10, cost NAF 10.00)
• Marriage certificate or partnership agreement (if applicable)
• Completed and signed import duties exemption application form (obtained from the destination agent)
• Power of attorney (obtained from the destination agent)
• If the certificate of residence has not yet been obtained at time of arrival (e.g., awaiting residence permit), the shipper may still import goods by means of a bank guarantee/deposit

• Inventory in 5 copies
• Marriage certificate
• Certificate of residence
• Completed and signed exemption application form
• Power of attorney

• Inventory in 5 copies, certified by a notary
• Certificate of residence
• Death certificate
• Certificate of inheritance (notarial act) specifying the inherited goods
• Completed and signed exemption application form
• Power of attorney
• Goods must be imported within 1 year of inheritance

• Free import; no additional documentation beyond standard diplomatic credentials

Specific Information

Residency requirement: An older baseline source cites 6 months abroad as the requirement, while the AMC Cargo guide specifies 183 days per year at the prior residence. Both figures agree on a 6-month possession requirement for the goods themselves.

Shipper must be present: The shipper must be personally present in Willemstad for customs clearance. The shipper must register at the citizen department within 2 weeks of arrival.

Bank guarantee/deposit: If the shipper has not yet received a residence permit at the time of arrival, a bank guarantee or deposit can be provided to allow importation pending the permit. The deposit is refundable once the exemption license is granted.

Timing: Household goods must be declared before the expiry of 6 months from the date the person transferred from their normal place of residence. In special circumstances, the Director of Customs may extend this deadline upon request, which must be submitted no later than 1 month before the expiry date.

Alienation restriction: Goods imported tax-free may not be lent, mortgaged, leased, or transferred for a period of 12 months without prior consent of the Director of Customs. The 12-month period begins on the day customs authorities accepted the exemption permit.

New goods within shipments: Any new items within the shipment will require a separate import declaration and payment of applicable import duties. Customs have the legal right to ask for evidence (purchase invoice, warranty card) that goods have been in the shipper's possession for at least 6 months.

Electronics: The inventory list must include the brand and serial number of all household and electrical appliances.

ISPM 15 (wood packaging): Wood packing material must bear the ISPM 15 mark confirming heat treatment (HT) at a minimum core temperature of 56°C for 30 minutes, or methyl bromide treatment. The mark must be legible, permanent, in black ink, on at least two opposite sides of each article. Labels and adhesives are not permitted. Exemptions apply to raw wood under 6mm thickness, processed wood (plywood, glued/pressed), agglomerated sawdust sheets, and sawdust/wooden fibre.

Currency: Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG). 1 USD = approximately 1.79 ANG.

Duties & Taxes

Duty-free conditions: Household goods are duty-free provided the shipper has been in possession of the goods for at least 6 months prior to importation and can demonstrate they will establish permanent residence in Willemstad. The exemption applies only to used personal property. "Normal household goods from residence" means goods from a place where the person resides for at least 183 days per year and where there are personal and professional bonds.

Alcohol and tobacco within shipments: The exemption does not apply to more than a normal domestic stock of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. 1 litre of alcohol is generally admitted free per family, but customs evaluate each case. Excess quantities will be taxed.

Import duty rates: Curaçao's import duty rates range from 0% to 70% based on the HS code of the goods. Most imported goods are also subject to a 9% Value Added Tax (BTW). Food and medicine are generally exempt from BTW.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

• Narcotics and controlled drugs — strictly prohibited; severe penalties
• Firearms, switchblades, and explosives — prohibited without specific pre-arranged governmental permits PERMIT REQUIRED
• Counterfeit goods — prohibited; items will be seized
• Protected species products (animals and plants covered by CITES) — prohibited CITES
• Pit bull terrier breeds and mixes (for pet import) — prohibited

Non-residents over 15 years (residents may import half these quantities):

• 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 100 cigarillos (3g each max), or 250g tobacco
• 1 litre distilled spirits, or 2.25 litres wine, or 3 litres beer
• Perfume: no restrictions
• If the total value of goods per passenger exceeds ANG 400, declaration must be made on customs forms and cleared at the freight department

Traveler goods (non-residents):

• Personal goods, souvenirs, and gifts up to NAF 200 duty-free
• Under 15 years old: NAF 65 limit
• Purchases exceeding NAF 200 must be verbally reported to customs
• The exemption applies to total value, not per item; individual goods cannot be split to take advantage of the exemption

Alcohol and tobacco (18+): Non-residents over 18 may bring 1 litre of liquor, 200 cigarettes, 25 cigars, and 125g of tobacco duty-free.

Residents returning: Half the non-resident duty-free quantities apply.

• Firearms, ammunition, and dangerous objects — authorization from the Police authorities required PERMIT REQUIRED
• Leather articles from Haiti — importation is not advisable (per Curaçao customs guidance)
• Certain agricultural products — plants, seeds, and animals may be restricted to protect the island's agriculture
• Battery shipments — Curaçao no longer accepts battery shipments (including goods with built-in batteries) under any packaging conditions, per Goodhope Freight (2026)
• Medication — personal use quantities are permitted; recommended to carry a physician's letter stating daily dosage

• Local currency (ANG) and foreign currencies: amounts exceeding ANG 20,000 or its equivalent must be declared

Consignment Instructions

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

Shipper must be present: The shipper must personally be in Willemstad for customs clearance. This is a firm requirement.

Exemption application: The application for the household goods duty exemption must be presented upon arrival of the goods. The resulting license is submitted at customs during the import declaration. The destination agent will typically handle the exemption application, import declaration, and customs brokerage on behalf of the shipper.

Timing is critical: Goods must be declared within 6 months of the shipper's transfer from their normal residence. Extensions require a written request to the Director of Customs at least 1 month before the deadline expires.

Registration requirement: The shipper must register at the citizen department (Kranshi) within 2 weeks of arrival. The original BB-10 registration document is required for the exemption application.

New goods: Separate from household goods. Any new items within the shipment will be subject to a separate import declaration and full duty/tax payment.

Customs contact information:

• Office Punda: +5999 434 5300
• Office Haven (Port): +5999 461 6350
• Office Luchthaven (Airport): +5999 868 3058
• Email: bjz-tz@minfin.cw

Curaçao Customs website: http://www.douane.cw — verified 200