Guam Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

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

Documents

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

Diplomats (A-1 visa holders):

• Copy of passport (signature and photo page; some ports require passports for all family members listed on the CF-3299)
• US Customs Form CF-3299 (Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles)
• US Customs Service Supplemental Declaration for Unaccompanied Personal and Household Effects
• Detailed inventory in English, signed by the owner of the goods (do not use "packed by owner," "PBO," "miscellaneous," or "contents unknown"; PBO boxes must have descriptive item listings)
• Copy of visa (non-US citizens / permanent residents) or copy of permanent resident card
• I-94 arrival record (non-US citizens; some ports require a copy)
• Letter of employment
• Original bill of lading (OBL) or copy of telex release / air waybill (AWB)
• Importer Security Filing (ISF) -- must be filed before vessel sailing from the last foreign port for all ocean shipments
• DS-1504 form submitted to the US Department of State by the diplomat's consulate or embassy at least 10 days before shipment arrival
• Brokers may not clear customs on CF-3299 entries for A-1 visa diplomats

Specific Information

Owner presence not required. Unlike vehicles, the owner does not need to be present for customs clearance of household goods.

90-day rule. If goods have been owned for less than 90 days, a 4% duty applies on the value of the household goods plus the cost of ocean freight for the entire shipment.

Items owned less than 12 months are dutiable. These must be listed in detail on the reverse of CF-3299 with item description, quantity, material, value in USD, and country of origin.

Physical examination fees. If CQA holds a shipment for physical examination, fees apply: USD 75 per hour for loose-loaded shipments or USD 50 per crate for liftvan-loaded shipments.

ISF filing. Must be filed before the vessel departs the last foreign port for ocean shipments. Late filing triggers US CBP penalties.

Examination costs. CBP and other government agencies may require X-ray or physical examination. Examination costs typically range from USD 200 to USD 1,700 or more for an FCL shipment and are for the importer's account.

ISPM 15. All wood packaging materials must comply with ISPM 15.

Duties & Taxes

Duty-free conditions. Goods must have been owned and used in the foreign household for at least 12 months before shipment. The owner must hold a valid long-term US visa (not a B-1/B-2 visitor's visa). Visitors may import personal effects only (clothing, toiletries, camping gear, etc.).

Prohibited & Restricted Items

• Ammunition (must not be shipped; is a hazardous good)
• Food items including dried food, spices, perishables, meats, and liquids
• Narcotics, dangerous drugs, and drug paraphernalia
• Pornographic materials
• Cuban cigars and flavored cigarettes including cloves
• Explosives including fireworks and other hazardous articles
• Blank tapes and CDs of Iranian origin
• Absinthe
• Counterfeit items or goods improperly using a federally registered trademark
• Endangered species, objects made from them, and related artifacts
• Products made from dog or cat fur
• Haitian animal hide drums
• Toxic and poisonous substances
• Rooted plants, flowers, soil, and propagation materials
• Skunks, wolves, raccoons, ferrets, and other wild mammals
• Most turtles and monkeys
• Species prohibited under CITES without valid permits

Alcohol. Import is strongly discouraged. Reasonable personal quantities may be allowed under federal rules; amounts exceeding the exemption are assessed 4% duty on value plus ocean freight of the entire shipment. Persons 21 and older may import up to 1 gallon (3.8 litres) duty-free. Excessive quantities require a licensed alcohol importer to file a commercial entry.

Tobacco duty-free limits: cigarettes 200; cigars 50 (no more than USD 150 total including gifts); tobacco 2,000g; proportionate amounts of combinations.

Meats and meat byproducts (including bouillon soups): import permit required; inspection by Ministry of Agriculture / Public Health Services on entry.

Livestock: import permit required; animals from rabies-infected countries are quarantined for 90 days.

Medications: import is strongly discouraged. Personal-use quantities only; must be accompanied by prescription or physician's statement and be properly identified. Do not include medications in household goods -- carry them personally. Schedule I, II, and III controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Act are generally prohibited. Severe penalties apply for non-compliance.

Firearms. Import is strongly discouraged. Shipments containing firearms are held in a certified CFS at USD 1.00 per cubic foot for the entire shipment. An import permit, bill of sale, and firearms registration/licence are required. A list of all firearms with serial numbers must be included. Up to four legally authorised firearms may be imported for personal use. Firearms must be positioned at the door or in crate number 1 for easy inspection access. Once inspected at the CFS, firearms must be immediately removed from the premises. Previously US-owned firearms can generally be imported with proof of US origin (pre-export registration with CBP strongly recommended). Foreign-purchased firearms typically require an ATF permit filed at least 6 weeks before arrival; the customs broker must be named on the ATF application from the outset.

Beauty and makeup products: import permit required.

Gifts: up to USD 100 permitted duty-free.

Jewelry: should not be included in household goods shipments; should accompany the owner personally on arrival.

Fish and wildlife / CITES: ivory, skins, feathers, shells, and other wildlife products require CITES permits obtained before the shipment leaves the origin country. Provide the destination agent with common name, scientific name, and country of origin for any such items.

Goods from embargoed countries: require a license from OFAC.

Gold: must be declared.

Textiles and clothing: subject to US import regulations.

Game and hunting trophies: restricted; confirm with destination agent.

Consignment Instructions

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

Guam is served by sea through the Port of Guam in Apra Harbor and by air via Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport (GUM) in Tamuning. Virtually all household goods arrive by sea; air freight is used for urgent or small shipments.

The ISF must be filed before the vessel departs the last foreign port. Coordinate with the destination broker well in advance.

Do not use vague descriptions on any inventory item. CQA examiners will flag "miscellaneous," "PBO," or "contents unknown" and may require a full physical examination at significant cost to the importer.

All vehicles are subject to mandatory X-ray. Factor this into transit time planning. Motorcycles, ATVs, watercraft, and similar vehicles are additionally held in CFS for inspection.

Medications must not be packed in household goods -- they must accompany the owner on arrival. Jewelry should likewise travel personally, not in the shipment.

Guam's biosecurity rules for plants and soil are strict. Do not include any rooted plants, soil, or propagation material in the shipment under any circumstances.

The pet process requires a minimum 120-day lead time. Importers who have not started the process at least 4 months before the planned move date face mandatory quarantine of up to 120 days on arrival.