Chinese
USA
Cananda
Australia
Japan
Singapore
Germany
France
MoreThis guide compiles Latvia customs regulations for importing and exporting household goods and personal effects. It applies to shipments by sea or air, and is compiled from the latest FIDI and IAM guides. For reference only - please confirm details with your Seapoe consultant before shipping.
Latvia Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes
Documents
Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.
Returning Latvian Citizens / EU Citizens Returning from Outside the EU- Copy of passport
- Detailed inventory in English
- Pro-forma invoice with values
- Formal letter to Customs with detailed information about reasons for moving to Latvia (first time or return, temporary or permanent)
- Proof of real estate ownership or rental agreement in Latvia
- Proof of living abroad in the shipping country for at least 12 months
- Letter issued by the Repatriation Centre of Latvian Citizenship and Migration Affairs confirming repatriation status (returning citizens)
- Copy of passport
- Detailed inventory in English
- Pro-forma invoice with values
- Formal letter to Customs explaining reasons for move
- Letter of employment
- Copy of employment contract
- Rental agreement in Latvia
- Residence and work permit (must be obtained before arrival in Latvia)
- Copy of passport
- Diplomatic franchise
- Detailed inventory in English
Specific Information
Intra-EU moves: Household goods moving between EU member states are not subject to customs duties or VAT. No customs declaration is required for goods in free circulation within the EU.
Non-EU imports -- duty-free conditions for returning citizens: Returning Latvian citizens (and EU citizens returning from outside the EU) may import household goods duty-free if they have lived abroad for at least 12 months. The shipment must arrive within 12 months of the owner's arrival in Latvia.
Non-EU imports -- foreigners: Non-EU citizens must have a valid residence and work permit before arriving in Latvia. If these documents are not present at the time of customs clearance, the shipment will be delayed. Foreigners relocating to Latvia from outside the EU are subject to customs duties and VAT on household goods unless they qualify for a transfer of residence exemption under EU Council Regulation 1186/2009 (which generally requires having resided outside the EU for at least 12 consecutive months and having owned the goods for at least 6 months).
Diplomats receive duty-free entry.
Road shipment notification: For shipments entering by road, Customs must be notified and receive documents at least 1 hour prior to the shipment's arrival.
EORI number: Required for customs declarations in Latvia (as in all EU member states). The destination agent typically handles registration.
Duties & Taxes
Customs duty: Standard EU Common Customs Tariff applies to non-EU imports. Rates vary by commodity classification.
VAT: 21% (standard Latvian rate). Applied to CIF value plus customs duty for non-exempt imports.
Prohibited & Restricted Items
Prohibited Items- Pornographic materials
- Narcotics and illegal drugs
- Subversive materials
- Endangered species and products derived from them (without CITES permit) [CITES]
Weapons and firearms: A licence from the Home Affairs Ministry Police Department is required. The licence must be obtained before import, and a valid firearms licence from abroad must be presented upon entry. [PERMIT REQUIRED]
Medications: May be imported for personal use with proof of personal necessity. A doctor's prescription is recommended. Drugs, psychotropic substances, and equipment for their use cannot be imported.
Alcohol: Import is restricted. Specific allowances depend on the mode of transport used to enter the country. Contact the destination agent for details. Intra-EU personal allowances: 10 litres spirits, 20 litres fortified wine, 90 litres wine, 110 litres beer (indicative guide levels for personal use).
Excise goods: Tobacco, coffee, and certain beverages may be restricted. Contact the destination agent.
Fur and hunting trophies: A licence is required for import. [PERMIT REQUIRED]
Antiques and artwork: Must be declared. Two photographs of each item are required with the documentation.
Special Categories
Research NotesSources consulted: IAM Country Guide (January 2017), PetTravel.com (Latvia pet import requirements, updated April 2026), EU Council Regulation 1186/2009 (relief from customs duty on transfer of residence), EU pet travel regulations (Regulation 576/2013 and April 2026 amendments).
No FIDI guide available. No FIDI Customs Guide was found for Latvia.
EU framework applies. As an EU member state (since 2004) and Eurozone member (since 2014), Latvia follows the EU Common Customs Tariff for non-EU imports, EU VAT rules, and EU pet travel regulations. Intra-EU moves of household goods are straightforward with no customs formalities required.
Key IAM guide gaps: The IAM guide (2017) does not distinguish between intra-EU and non-EU moves, does not mention the EU transfer of residence exemption, does not reference VAT, and provides minimal pet information. As a standard EU member state, the framework is well-established and predictable, but the guide should clearly differentiate the two scenarios (intra-EU = no customs; non-EU = standard EU CET + 21% VAT unless exempt).
Repatriation Centre requirement: Returning Latvian citizens must obtain a letter from the Repatriation Centre of Latvian Citizenship and Migration Affairs. This is a Latvia-specific requirement not seen in other EU member states and may add processing time.
April 2026 EU pet regulation changes: The new non-commercial transport rules (owner must travel with pet, 5-pet-per-vehicle limit for ground transport, Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport) apply to Latvia with a transition period until March 2027.
Link verification (re-checked June 2026): VID (vid.gov.lv/en): now confirmed Active (200), title "Valsts ieņēmumu dienests" -- resolved from May 2026 503. MFA (mfa.gov.lv/en): now confirmed Active (200), title "Ārlietu ministrija" -- resolved from May 2026 503. PVD (pvd.gov.lv/en): now confirmed Active (200), title "Pārtikas un veterinārais dienests" -- resolved from May 2026 503. CSDD (csdd.lv/en): active (200), as before. EmbassyPages: returns 403 to bots, browser-accessible. OpenFactBook (replaces CIA World Factbook): active (200). PetTravel.com Latvia: active (200).
Consignment Instructions
Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air, sea, and road shipments.
Timing: The shipment must arrive within 12 months of the owner's arrival in Latvia.
Road shipment advance notice: Customs must be notified and receive documents at least 1 hour before arrival for road shipments.
Inventory requirements: A detailed inventory in English is required, along with a pro-forma invoice showing values. Antiques and artwork require two photographs per item.
Residence and work permits: Non-EU foreigners must have valid residence and work permits before arriving. Without these documents, customs clearance cannot proceed and the shipment will be delayed in storage.
Port of entry: Riga is the primary sea port. Riga International Airport handles air freight.
Formal letter to Customs: Required for all shipments, explaining whether this is a first-time move, return, temporary, or permanent relocation. The destination agent can advise on the format.