Mongolia Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes
Source: IAM Country Guide · Updated 2026-09-05 · Download the Mongolia Country Guide (PDF)
Documents
Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.
For Returning Mongolian Citizens- Copy of passport
- Valid national ID card
- Valued inventory
- Detailed inventory / packing list
- Original bill of lading (OBL) or airway bill (AWB)
- Declaration form (statement of non-commercial use)
- Letter of employment confirming the owner has worked abroad by foreign company appointment
- Commercial invoice (if applicable)
For Non-Citizens (Foreign Workers)- Copy of passport
- Copy of residence permit (must be valid for at least 183 days)
- Employer registration certification
- Detailed inventory / packing list
- Original bill of lading (OBL) or airway bill (AWB)
- Declaration form (statement of non-commercial use)
- Commercial invoice (if applicable)
For Diplomats- Copy of passport
- Letter of request from the diplomatic organization
- Detailed inventory / packing list
- Original bill of lading (OBL) or airway bill (AWB)
Specific Information
Name matching: The owner's name must match exactly on the passport and the original bill of lading or airway bill.
Residency requirement (returning citizens): The owner must have stayed abroad for at least 6 months without returning to Mongolia to import household goods and personal effects free of import tax and VAT.
Residence permit (non-citizens): The residence permit must be valid for at least 183 days. Non-citizens must obtain the residence permit within 7 days of arrival in Mongolia and provide a copy for customs clearance.
Antiques, artifacts, carpets, and paintings: May be imported duty-free if the quantity is proportionate to the overall shipment. A valued inventory or purchase invoice must be submitted. If for personal use and not for resale, the items are duty-free; otherwise duties and taxes apply.
General import duty: Most imported goods in Mongolia are subject to 5% ad valorem customs duty. VAT is 10%.
Duties & Taxes
Duty-free conditions: Used household goods and personal effects for personal use and not for resale are duty-free for eligible returning citizens and non-citizens meeting the residency/permit requirements. Diplomatic goods are exempt from all duties under Mongolia's customs law.
Prohibited & Restricted Items
Prohibited Items- Narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and equipment for their use or production
- Devices for distilling alcoholic drinks
- Alcohols and spirits with more than 75% alcohol content
- Hazardous chemicals and toxic materials
- Counterfeit goods
- Historical and cultural monuments (export prohibition; import may be restricted)
- Medication requiring injections, antibiotic injections, blood and plasma, and immunologic preparations (without proper medical/scientific import license)
- Pornographic or subversive materials
- Stuffed animals and products of taxidermy [CITES]
- *CITES certificates and animal health certificates are required*
- Firearms and ammunition [Permit Required]
Restricted / Dutiable ItemsTraveller Duty-Free AllowancesThe following items may be imported duty-free for personal consumption (minimum age 21 for alcohol and tobacco):
Alcohol: 2 litres of wine, plus 3 litres of beer, plus 1 litre of vodka/spirits.
Tobacco: 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 250 g of smoking tobacco.
Other: Personal clothing and goods, electronic devices, wheelchairs, and sports equipment. Medication for personal use (with prescription).
Quantities exceeding the duty-free limits are subject to excise taxes: vodka USD 5-6 per litre; beer USD 0.20 per litre; wine USD 1.50-6 per litre; cigarettes USD 0.60 per 100 pieces; tobacco USD 0.30 per kg.
CurrencyAmounts exceeding MNT 15 million (approximately USD 4,200) must be declared to customs authorities.
FirearmsRifles require multiple import permits depending on the type. Contact the destination agent for specific requirements.
Consignment Instructions
Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea / rail shipments.
Port of entry: Mongolia is landlocked between Russia and China. There are no seaports. Sea freight typically arrives at the Chinese port of Tianjin and is transported overland by rail or road to Ulaanbaatar. Alternatively, shipments may be routed through the Russian port of Vladivostok and transported via the Trans-Siberian Railway. Air shipments arrive via Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN), located approximately 50 km southwest of Ulaanbaatar.
Land borders: The primary road/rail border crossings are Zamyn-Uud (Mongolia/China border, connecting to Erlian/Erenhot) and Altanbulag (Mongolia/Russia border, connecting to Kyakhta). Border crossings may involve longer queues and additional document checks.
Transit considerations: Shipments transiting through China or Russia require careful coordination with transit customs authorities in those countries. Transit delays, especially at the China-Mongolia border at Zamyn-Uud, are common due to gauge changes on the railway (Mongolia and Russia use 1,520 mm broad gauge; China uses 1,435 mm standard gauge).
Climate: Mongolia has extreme continental climate with winter temperatures dropping below -30 degrees C. Shipments arriving in winter should be adequately protected against freezing temperatures, and scheduling should account for potential weather-related delays.
Electrical standard: Mongolia uses 220V, 50Hz with European-style two-pin plugs (Type C and Type E).
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