Importing Personal Effects into Czech Republic: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2024 · Download the Czech Republic Import Guide (PDF)

Used household goods and personal effects – NON-EU citizens

• Photocopy of passport (main page + all relevant pages with stamps and visas if applicable).
• Proof of residence in origin country (minimum of 12 months prior to shipper establishing residence in the Czech Republic) Example: VISA, housing contract, confirmation from employer).
• Proof of residence in the Czech Republic:
• copy of housing contract (rental period: minimum of 12 months),
• copy of work permit,
• copy employee card or residence permit or long-term visa (if already available).
• Power of attorney authorising the removal company to represent the shipper at the customs authorities – Original needed.
• Company statement – confirmation from the employer about the working assignment in Czech Republic or work contract.
• Application for Exemption from Customs Duty – this document is required in original and duly signed!
• Inventory list.

• Duty free.
• Within 12 months from importation, goods may not be lent, given as security, rented out or sold without prior notification to the competent customs authorities.

• English will be accepted by customs for some documents (not only Czech), for example lease contract.
• Household goods can be imported duty and tax free under the following conditions:
• The goods have been in shipper’s ownership and used at shipper’s former normal place of residence for at least six months prior to shipping.
• The goods are intended to be used by shipper for the same purpose at his new normal place of residence.
• Duty and tax relief may be granted only to persons whose normal place of residence has been outside the customs territory of the EU for a continuous period of at least 12 months prior to shipping.
• Duty and tax relief shall be granted only for personal property and household goods entered to EU within 12 months from the date of establishment of a normal place of residence in EU.
• Application for exemption from customs duty and Authorization letter are required in original.
• It is important to note that a Customs official may require additional documents. In case provided documents do comply with government regulations (ES) č. 1186/09 for duty free clearance, customs official may release the goods.

Used household goods and personal effects – EU and Czech citizens returning

• Photocopy of passport (main pages + all relevant pages with stamps and visas if applicable).
• Proof of residence in origin country, showing stay outside of EU for at least 12 months before establishing residence in EU (for example: VISA, housing contract, confirmation from employer).
• Proof of residence in EU:
• Copy of EU residence permit or EU ID card (Obcansky prukaz) or registration with Municipal house.
• Copy of housing contract (rental period: minimum 12 months) / purchase contract for the house.
• Application for Exemption from Customs Duty- this document is required in original and duly signed!
• Company Statement – confirmation from the employer about the working contract.
• Power of Attorney authorising the removal company to represent the importer at the customs authorities – original needed.
• Inventory list.

• Duty free.
• Within 12 months from importation, goods may not be lent, given as security, rented out or sold without prior notification to the competent customs authorities.

• English will be accepted by customs for some documents (not only Czech), for example lease contract.
• Household goods can be imported duty and tax free under the following conditions:
• The goods have been in shipper’s ownership and used at shipper’s former normal place of residence for at least six months prior to shipping.
• The goods are intended to be used for the same purpose at his new normal place of residence.
• Duty and tax relief may be granted only to persons whose normal place of residence has been outside the customs territory of the EU for a continuous period of at least 12 months prior to shipping.
• Duty and tax relief shall be granted only for personal property and household goods entered to EU within 12 months from the date of establishment of a normal place of residence in EU.
• Application for exemption from customs duty and Authorization letter are required in original.
• It is important to note that a customs official may require additional documents. In case provided documents do comply with
• government regulations (ES) č. 1186/09 for duty free clearance, customs official may release the goods.

Personal Effects - Diplomats removal

• Photocopy of passport.
• Power of attorney authorising the removal company to represent the importer at the customs authorities – Original needed.
• Inventory lists.
• Statement from the Embassy confirming client’s assignment in Czech Republic.
• Import Declaration for diplomatic goods or Vehicles (form).
• Diplomatic ID card issued by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

• Duty free.
• Within 12 months from importation, goods may not be lent, given as security, rented out or sold without prior notification to the competent customs authorities.

• Import Declaration for diplomatic goods (2 x form) and Power of Attorney are required in original.
• Import of alcohol is allowed for diplomats – please contact your local embassy for more information about quotas.
• It is important to note that a customs official may require additional documents. In case provided documents do comply with government regulations (ES) č. 1186/09 for duty free clearance, customs official may release the goods.

Automobiles and motorcycles

• A form stating:
• Official/factory name and type of vehicle
• Manufacturing number (VIN number)
• Vintage (year when the vehicle was manufactured)
• Type of fuel
• Weight of the car
• Invoice or other confirmation of car purchase (original & legible copy) – will be returned on shipment delivery date.
• Registration book of the car / Certificate of title (original copy) – will be returned on shipment delivery date.
• All the same documents as for import of household goods and personal effects (see above).

• Duty free as far as all requirements as for household goods are fulfilled.
• Within 12 months from importation vehicles may not be lent, given as security, rented out or sold without prior notification to the competent customs authorities.

• Car can be imported duty and tax free as part of HHG move under the following conditions:
• The vehicle has been in shipper’s possession and used at his/her former normal place of residence for at least six months prior to shipping.
• Is intended to be used for the same purpose at his new normal place of residence.
• Duty and tax relief may be granted only to persons whose normal place of residence has been outside the customs territory of the EU for a continuous period of at least 12 months.
• Duty and tax relief shall be granted only for a car entered to EU within 12 months from the date of establishment of a normal place of residence in EU.
• Vehicle can be sold after one year from the date of importation.
• NOTE: It might be a problem to register vehicles older than 8 years. Exceptions are vehicles over 30 years old that can be registered and used as old-timers.
• It is important to note that a customs official may require additional documents. In case provided documents do comply with government regulations (ES) č. 1186/09 for duty free clearance, customs official may release the goods.

Alcohol and cigarettes

• As for removal of household goods and personal effects.

• Dutiable.

• There is no allowance for duty and tax-free import of alcohol or tobacco in unaccompanied shipments.
• Import of alcohol is allowed for diplomats – please contact your local embassy for more information about quotas.
• It is important to note that a customs official may require additional documents. In case provided documents do comply with government regulations (ES) č. 1186/09 for duty free clearance, customs official may release the goods.

Firearms

• Document / firearms accompanying certificate / issued by the Embassy of the Czech Republic from the country the customer lives in.

• Duty free (as a part of shipment with used household goods).

• It is allowed temporarily to import, export or carry on the territory of the Czech Republic or transit across the territory of the Czech Republic weapons of the Categories A, B or C or ammunition for such weapons solely subject to a license.
• The license is issued in the form of a firearms accompanying certificate.
• A firearm accompanying certificate good for transit of weapons or ammunition may be issued upon request from natural persons and legal entities by embassies of the Czech Republic.
• In respect of natural persons and legal entities visiting the Czech Republic for the purpose of hunting or participation in marksmanship contests that hold a European gun license, also by the police units at frontier crossings.
• A firearm accompanying certificate needs not be submitted in respect of weapons of the Categories B and C and ammunition for such weapons, if their holders come from a Member State of the EU, and if they are holders of a European gun license issued in respect of such transferred weapon and if they can declare the purpose of their travels.
• Travelers from a third country who travel to a Member State of the EU, during controls at the external frontier of the EU must submit a license issued by the appropriate authorities of each relevant Member State to whose territory or across whose territory they intend to travel carrying such weapon or ammunition.
• It is important to note that a customs official may require additional documents. In case provided documents do comply with government regulations (ES) č. 1186/09 for duty free clearance, customs official may release the goods.

Exporting Personal Effects from Czech Republic: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2024 · Download the Czech Republic Export Guide (PDF)

Household Goods/PE

• Inventory list
• Copy of passport
• Power of Attorney authorizing the removal company to represent the exporter.

• Customs office may require additional documents proving that the goods are in client’s personal possession.

Czech Republic Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

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

Documents

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

No customs formalities are required for household goods moving between EU member states. Goods retain their Union status and move freely. No T2L or customs declaration is needed for intra-EU moves by road (the Czech Republic is landlocked with no seaports).

• Copy of passport photo page
• Copy of visa (for non-EU citizens)
• Inventory list
• Pro forma invoice
• Packing list
• Original bill of lading (OBL) or air waybill (AWB)
• Proof of residence in origin country: at least 2 documents as evidence the shipper has lived outside the EU for at least 12 months (rental contract, company statement, bank statements, health insurance documents, utility bills)
• Proof of residence in Czech Republic: EU residence permit, Czech ID card, employment contract, or rental/ownership contract for residence in the Czech Republic
• Copy of lease agreement or proof of accommodation in the Czech Republic
• Letter of employment (if applicable)
• Request for duty and tax-free importation (original format required)
• Power of attorney (if the shipper is not present at customs clearance)
• Customs import declaration provided by the local embassy (diplomats)

Specific Information

Intra-EU moves: No customs procedures. Goods moving from another EU member state to the Czech Republic are not subject to import duty, VAT, or inspection. The Czech Republic joined the EU on May 1, 2004 and the Schengen Area on December 21, 2007.

Digital customs portal (2026 update): Czechia launched a fully digital immigration and customs portal in early 2026. Move managers should ensure inventory and declarations are uploaded correctly to this system to prevent border delays.

ISPM 15: As an EU member state, the Czech Republic requires all solid wood packing materials from non-EU origins to comply with ISPM 15, bearing the IPPC mark with registration and treatment codes.

Currency: Czech koruna (CZK). The Czech Republic has not adopted the euro. Cash amounts of EUR 10,000 or equivalent must be declared when entering or leaving the EU.

Landlocked country: The Czech Republic has no seaport. Sea freight shipments arrive via ports in Germany (Hamburg, Bremerhaven), Poland (Gdynia), or the Netherlands (Rotterdam) and are transported by road or rail to the Czech Republic. This affects transit times and may involve customs clearance at the EU port of entry.

Duties & Taxes

Duty-free conditions (non-EU origin): Personal effects and household goods may be imported free of customs duty and VAT provided the shipper has lived outside the EU continuously for more than 12 months, the goods were in use by the shipper for at least 6 months before departure from the country of prior residence, and the goods are intended for personal use only (not commercial). This relief is granted under EU Council Regulation (EC) No 1186/2009.

New items (non-EU origin): Items owned and used for less than 6 months are considered new and are subject to customs duty and VAT (currently 21%). New items must be declared separately.

VAT rate: The standard Czech VAT rate is 21%.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

• Narcotics and controlled drugs — strictly prohibited
• Meat and dairy products from non-EU countries (with limited exceptions for Andorra, Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, and small amounts of specific products from other countries)
• Products from protected species (CITES, Washington Convention), including ivory, tortoise shell, coral, reptile skin, and wood from Amazonian forests CITES
• Counterfeit goods
• Items that pose a risk to public health, safety, or the environment (per EU regulations)

Alcohol (over 17 years, by air or sea):

• 1 litre of spirits exceeding 22% volume, or 2 litres of alcohol not exceeding 22% volume
• 4 litres of still wine
• 16 litres of beer
• Combinations permitted provided total does not exceed 100%

Alcohol (over 17 years, by land): Reduced quantities apply; the VisaHQ and Czech customs sources list frontier-zone rules at 0.5 litre of spirits over 22%.

Tobacco (over 17 years, by air or sea):

• 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g smoking tobacco

Tobacco (over 17 years, by land):

• 40 cigarettes, or 20 cigarillos, or 10 cigars, or 50g smoking tobacco

Other goods:

• Personal items of non-commercial nature up to EUR 430 (air/sea) or EUR 300 (land)
• Travelers under 15: up to EUR 150 (per Czech Customs Administration, may be EUR 200 per some sources; confirm with customs)
• Medication for personal use only
• No restrictions on amounts moving between EU countries for personal use, except cash amounts of EUR 10,000+ must be declared

• Coats, furs, leather shoes made of animal products from protected species — authorization required PERMIT REQUIRED
• Medication — personal use quantities only; prescription drugs in quantities corresponding to personal need
• Firearms and ammunition — permit from Czech police required; persons permanently residing outside the Czech Republic may import up to 1,000 hunting shot cartridges and 50 bullets with a permit from the Czech Embassy or Consulate PERMIT REQUIRED
• Food products — may be permitted if in original sealed containers; check with destination agent
• Live farm animals, plants, produce, coffee, and tea — may not be imported without permits; household pets are an exception with proper documentation
• Cultural property — export from the Czech Republic requires a permit from the Ministry of Culture

No customs duties apply to goods moving within the EU. However, excise goods (alcohol, tobacco) may be subject to limits if quantities suggest commercial intent.

Consignment Instructions

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

Landlocked logistics: All sea freight must transit through EU ports (typically Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Gdynia, or Rotterdam) and be transported overland. This adds transit time and potentially requires coordination between the port agent and the Czech destination agent. Customs clearance for non-EU goods typically occurs at the port of entry into the EU, though it can be deferred to the Czech Republic using a transit procedure.

Power of attorney: If the shipper cannot be present at customs clearance, a notarized power of attorney must be provided. The destination agent can typically handle customs formalities on behalf of the shipper with this document.

Language: Czech customs documentation is in Czech. All foreign-language documents may require official translation. The destination agent will handle translations as part of their service.

Import timeline: Goods should be imported in conjunction with the shipper's transfer of residence. The 12-month prior residency abroad must be continuous.

Vehicle clearance at Limassol: N/A (Czech Republic is landlocked). Vehicle clearance occurs at the customs office or at the destination agent's facility.

Unpredictable expenses: STK inspection fees (CZK 3,000-5,000), registration fees (CZK 800+), emission surcharges for older vehicles, customs brokerage fees, and storage charges at transit ports.