Importing Personal Effects into North Macedonia: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2024 · Download the North Macedonia Import Guide (PDF)

Foreigners - Documents needed for temporary import

• Packing List
• Proforma Invoice
• Macedonian ID
• Packing List

• Temporary import is defined by a visa in the individual's passport stating that he/she is permitted to work in Macedonia for a stated period of time.
• Temporary import for work permit holders does not allow any type of duty and tax free import.
• Individuals moving to Macedonia on a work permitted status are allowed to import HHG with paying duties of 25% and VAT of 18% of the declared value.
• These rates are charged if the importer can provide invoices for the goods being imported. If no invoice is provided the calculation is based on 3 Euros per kilo.
• Temporary import allows for the client to pay duties and taxes proportionally. For example if temporary import is for one year, the amount of duties and taxes will be split to 12 months.

• Import customs clearance in Macedonia takes 2 days.
• Plants and flowers need special permits and certificates from origin country.
• Always check the import requirements with your local agent in advance.

Returning Macedonian citizens

• Packing List
• Copy of passport
• Proforma Invoice
• Original export customs documents

• Returning Macedonian citizens also pay duties and taxes on their shipments, unless there is a proof that the same items have been exported from the country earlier.

• Import customs clearance in Macedonia takes 2 days.
• Plants and flowers need special permits and certificates from origin country. Please always check the import requirements with us in advance.

Diplomats

• Packing List
• Proforma invoice or statement by importer of the value of the goods
• Protocol from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Diplomatic ID Card

• Diplomats are permitted to import HHG and personal effects into Macedonia free of taxes and duties.

• Import customs clearance in Macedonia takes 2 days.
• Plants and flowers need special permits and certificates from origin country. Please always check the import requirements with us in advance.

VEHICLES

• Purchase invoice or proforma invoice
• Certificate of title
• Ownership paperwork
• Parameters of the car (year of manufacture, model, type, volumetric capacity of the engine, petrol or diesel)

• Vehicles being imported to Macedonia cannot be older than 10 years or standard EURO 5.

CARPETS, PAINTINGS, MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, ART EFFECTS AND ANTIQUES

• Apart from the paperwork required for import of normal HHG the following documents are needed for import customs clearance of art effects and antiques:
• Invoice
• Art/antique certificate of origin

• If the shipper paid duties and taxes on the imported antiques to Macedonia and would like to export them one day, permit from Ministry of Culture will be required for export customs clearance.

SPECIAL ITEMS (E.G. RIFLES, STUFFED ANIMALS, ETC.)

• For import of rifles an import permit from the Macedonian Ministry of Interior need to be obtained in advance.
• For import of stuffed animals import permit from the Macedonian Veterinary Institute is requested to be obtained in advance.

• For other special items proforma invoice and certificate of origin will be requested for import clearance, and depending of the nature of the item being imported special permit might be required as well.
• All documents for import customs clearance of these items must be ready before the shipment is sent.

IMPORT OF WINE, SPIRITS AND TOBACCO

• The allowance limit for import of wine, spirits and tobacco products for personal consumption is:
• Wine: 1 liter
• Spirits: 1 liter
• Cigarettes: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco
• Quantities being imported exceeding the allowance are dutiable:
• Wine: 50% Duty + 18% VAT
• Beer: 0% Duty + 18% VAT or 0.05 EUR x %VoI. Alcohol x Litres
• Spirits: 0% Duty -I- 18% VAT or 5 EUR x %VoI. Alcohol x Litres

PROHIBITED ITEMS

• Weapons of all kinds
• Pornography
• Narcotics
• Toxic material
• Radioactive material
• Printers, computers, TV's (any type), DVD players, air conditioners, monitors, laptops,
• refrigerators - for non-diplomatic shipments
• Tires — for non-diplomatic shipments

Exporting Personal Effects from North Macedonia: Documents & Customs Rules

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

Household Goods/Personal Effects

• Copy of packing list
• Copy of passport
• Proforma invoice with declared value for customs purposes

North Macedonia Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

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

Documents

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

• Copy of passport
• North Macedonian ID card (temporary ID acceptable)
• Pro-forma invoice
• Request for temporary import issued by the employer in North Macedonia (for Customs)
• Letter of employment (must show duration of stay)
• Detailed packing list
• Original OBL, CMR (Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road), or AWB
• Lease agreement including address of temporary residence
• Customs export declaration from the previous export (returning residents only)

• Import protocol from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Diplomatic ID card

Specific Information

Duty and Tax Calculation for Non-Diplomatic Moves:

Ministry of Environment Import Permit for Electronics: An import permit from the Ministry of Environment is required for certain electronic items including televisions, DVD players, and refrigerators.

Food and Pharmaceuticals: Food items, drinks, and pharmaceuticals generate Customs inspections and require an import permit. It is strongly advised that non-diplomatic clients do not include these items in household goods shipments. If food items must be shipped, they must be sent separately from the household goods and personal effects consignment.

ISPM 15: All wooden packing materials must comply with ISPM 15 phytosanitary treatment standards.

Step 1: Declared value of goods + cost of transport = base value Step 2: Base value × 25% = import duties Step 3: (Base value + import duties) × 18% = VAT Step 4: Import duties + VAT = total customs charges

Prohibited & Restricted Items

• Weapons, explosives, and ammunition (without authorization)
• Pornographic materials
• Counterfeit goods
• Used tires
• Food items in unaccompanied household goods shipments (must be shipped separately with permits, or not at all for non-diplomats)
• Alcohol exceeding 1 liter for non-diplomatic shipments
• Cigarettes, cigars, and cigarillos for non-diplomatic unaccompanied shipments

Alcohol (personal traveler allowances):

• Distilled beverages over 22% ABV: 1 liter
• Distilled beverages at or under 22% ABV: 2 liters
• Wine: 2 liters

Perfume: 50 ml.

Food and drink generally: Full duties and taxes apply. Percentages depend on the type of food or drink. Import permits are required for all food and drink in unaccompanied shipments — it is strongly advised to exclude these items from household goods consignments.

Animal-based food products (cheese, dairy, etc.): Permission required. [PERMIT REQUIRED]

Plants and plant products: Permission required. [PERMIT REQUIRED]

Animals and animal products: Permission required. [PERMIT REQUIRED]

Consignment Instructions

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

No Food, Alcohol, or Tobacco in Non-Diplomatic Shipments. The inclusion of food, alcohol, tobacco, or pharmaceutical products in a household goods shipment will trigger mandatory Customs inspection and require import permits that are difficult to obtain for non-diplomatic importers. Advise clients to leave these items behind or consume/dispose of them before the move.

Electronics Permit. Confirm with the destination agent whether the Ministry of Environment import permit for electronics (TVs, refrigerators, air conditioning, DVD players, laptops, printers) is still required and how to obtain it. This is an unusual requirement not seen in most neighboring countries and the process should be confirmed before packing.

Duty Calculation. Advise clients of the duty structure for non-diplomatic moves — 25% import duty on declared value plus transport, then 18% VAT on the combined total — so costs are understood before shipment.

Vehicle Age and Emissions. Vehicles over 10 years old cannot be imported. All vehicles must meet EUR 3 emissions standards. Confirm the vehicle's year and emissions certificate before booking any vehicle shipment.

Pet — 6-Month Lead Time from High-Rabies Countries. For clients from countries not classified as rabies-controlled by the EU, the titer test must be completed at least 3 months before travel, which itself must come at least 30 days after a post-microchip rabies vaccination. Plan a minimum of 4 to 6 months ahead.

Road Shipments. North Macedonia is well-served by road from neighboring Balkan countries. CMR documentation applies to road shipments as an alternative to OBL.