Importing Personal Effects into Portugal: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2026 · Download the Portugal Import Guide (PDF)

Removal Goods - Private persons, coming from non-EEC countries only

• Baggage Certificate – This can be obtained at a Portuguese Embassy or Consulate of the country you are leaving. This document is very important as it will give you exemption of taxes and duties. Please ask to include Cancelation declaration if current legal residence is at origin country and never mention you are moving to a secondary residence. It must state that you resided on the origin country for more than 12 months and mention the date when you are transferring your main residence to Portugal.
• Residence Certificate – This can be obtained in the ‘Junta de Freguesia’ closest to your residence in Portugal. It must mention the date of your arrival to Portugal (no later than 6 months regarding actual date). The address must the same as the one associated to the fiscal number.
• Portuguese Fiscal Number – This is known as ‘Número de Contribuinte’ or ‘NIF’ in Portugal. It can be easily obtained at a ‘Serviço de Finanças’. This document cannot be associated with a legal representative (which happens when you already have a Portuguese fiscal number and live abroad) and the address must be the same as the
• one on the Residence Certificate.
• European Citizen Registry Certificate – Issued by the Town Hall of your area. You may find additional information on the Immigration and Borders Service website.
• Passport
• VISA Permit / Work Permit - applicable for non-Portuguese and non-EU citizens.
• Temporary Visa will not be enough - will have to be final residence approved by SEF.
• Declarations to be supplied by the agent at destination and signed at agent's office.

• Declarations to be supplied by the agent at destination and signed at agent's office.
• Importation Customs Clearance Charges:
• Although normal removal goods are duty free, there are always customs broker fees to be considered which are based on ad-valorem. Port handling charges and warehouse fees are included in these charges (rather expensive - quotations should be requested).
• In case all required documents are not available, duties and taxes are payable on the declared value.

• Normally, household removals should be imported in 1 single shipment, from 1 place of origin.
• In special circumstances and on submission of proofs and explanation to the General Customs Board, prior to the removal, it is possible to obtain the necessary permission to import household goods in 2 or more shipments.
• A full inventory must be produced with the first consignment showing clearly which goods are being imported in the first consignment and which belong to the second shipment.
• All documents must be with the Agent before the goods arrive. Otherwise, it will be impossible to organise Customs clearance in time.

Removals goods - Secondary residence coming from non-EEC countries

• Portuguese Fiscal Number Copy
• Passport Copy
• Declarations to be supplied by the agent at destination and signed at agent's office.

• Duties and Taxes will be 23% + % Duties depending of the Item imported and the value shown on the Declarations and Transport Value.

• In this situation the payment of Duties and Taxes will be applicable.

Diplomatic removals

• Diplomats, other consular officials, diplomatic and international mission accredited in Portugal:
• Diplomatic franchise must be obtained by Embassy through the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a minimum of 15 days before shipment arrives.

• Duty free entry.
• Owner must be in Portugal at least 1 week prior to removal arrival for diplomatic or non-diplomatic shipments.
• Without above documents, customs clearance cannot be performed, and shipment will have to be kept under customs supervision, paying heavy storage charges.
• Alcohol beverages are prohibited in the shipment (see prohibited items section).

• Diplomatic franchise must be obtained from local Embassy. In order to allow the issue of this document, details of shipment and list must be given in advance in order to give time to apply for it.
• Diplomatic moves from EEC countries require only an inventory list of goods.

Antiques - part of removal

• No documents as long as included in a removal.

• Duty free entry.

• It is convenient to declare them to Customs at the time of entry in Portugal in order to avoid problems at the time of eventual exportation.

Antiques - Imported separately

• Import licence and invoice.

• Subject to payment of duties.

• If imported alone:
• Only commercial companies can apply for import licences.

Fine arts, Exhibition goods

• Document issued by the Gallery / Museum that owns the goods stating that article is being shipped to … to show on a given exhibition, to be held at … for a "x" period of time.
• Museum / Gallery that is receiving works must apply for a special temporary import licence to Customs Main Office, for a maximum period of 6 months, stating the reason for the importation.
• Commercial invoice.
• EUR 1 certificate.
• Title of ownership.
• Identification / catalogue or ATA carnet.

• If imported under ATA carnet, no duties or taxes or deposits are necessary.
• If no ATA carnet available, Customs duties must be guaranteed by a deposit or bank guarantee.

• Import duties depend on nature of goods.
• Regulation may be changed without notice. Always check with your local agent.

Inheritance

• Luggage Certificate (Certificado de bagagem) issued by nearest Portuguese Consulate, stating that the items of the attached list belong to Mr / Mrs… and were inherited by Mr / Mrs….
• Testament and respective authenticated translation into Portuguese.
• Declaration confirming death of testator.
• Passport of consignee.

• Duty free entry.

• Consignee must be in Portugal by the time of goods arrival.

Motorcars and Motorcycles

• Full documentation of vehicle such as registration certificate and title of property.
• International driving licence.
• Insurance document.
• Declaration from the Portuguese Embassy stating that client lived for more than 12 months abroad.

• Duty free entry for temporary import of 12 months, during which definitive Legalization of the car must be made.
• Costs of duties and taxes depend on the value of motorcar in Portugal
• If no definitive importation is performed, motorcar must leave the country.

• Vehicle must belong to owner 12 months prior to arrival of owner in Portugal.
• Details of vehicle such as Brand, Model, VIN Number as well Engine Specifications and that information shall be provided in advance
• Obtain Portuguese plate number and payment of duties and taxes to be dealt by client directly with a customs broker or with the A.C.P.

Caravans

• Invoice, showing lowest possible price.
• Registration certificate.
• Title of property.

• Subject to payment of duties as for motorcars.

• Same as previous.

Boats – Definitive import

• Registration certificate.
• Import licence.

• Subject to payment of duties.

• Definitive importation is very difficult. Usually not allowed unless very special circumstances occur.

Boats - Temporary Import

• Registration certificate.

• Duty free entry.
• When boats are imported for exhibition or contest / race purposes special permission from Customs Main Office is necessary, stating that the boat is temporarily imported for a period of … to show in a given exhibition or race.

Bicycles

• Duty free entry.

• As long as mentioned on inventory.

Electrical appliances

• Same as removal goods.

Presents, gifts, souvenirs

• As accompanied luggage, there will be no duties.
• If unaccompanied luggage, value cannot exceed the amount of 75,00 EURO nor 20
• kgs weight, per shipment.

Horses

• Certificate of foal registration.
• Veterinary certificate.
• Import licence.

• Subject to Customs approval.

• No horses should be sent without prior Customs approval.

Plants

• No documents.

• Duty free entry.

• As long as coming together with removal goods.

Restricted items

• Pornographic objects,
• Systems for copying Portuguese mail stamps,
• Essences for regional wine counterfeit,
• Drugs,
• Firearms, cut and thrust weapons, any war instrument without specific application,
• Roulette or any other game of hazard,
• Gold in bars,
• Apes and monkeys,
• Anything that might be object of negotiation.

Prohibited items

• Alcoholic beverages, narcotics, drugs, foodstuff.

Exporting Personal Effects from Portugal: Documents & Customs Rules

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

Removal Goods – Used HHG/PE

• Copy of the Passport (first page only)
• Copy of the NIF (Portuguese VAT Number)
• Original Documents for Cars and Motorcycles and Local Road Taxes proof of payment.
• Declarations to be supplied by the agent at destination and signed at agent's office.

• Contact your local agent for more information.

Portugal Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

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

Documents

Note: Secondary residence imports are not entitled to the duty-free TNR exemption. Duties and taxes of 23% VAT plus applicable import duties will apply based on declared value and transport costs.

The owner must be in Portugal at least one week prior to the shipment's arrival, whether for diplomatic or non-diplomatic shipments. Without this, customs clearance cannot be performed and the shipment will be held under customs supervision with heavy storage charges accruing. Diplomatic moves from EU countries require only an inventory list of goods.

Note: Alcohol is prohibited in all shipments, including diplomatic removals (see Section 5).

Inheritances are entitled to duty-free entry. The consignee must be present in Portugal at the time of the goods' arrival.

Specific Information

Normally, household removals should be imported in a single shipment from one place of origin. In special circumstances, and with prior submission of proof and explanation to the Customs Main Office before the removal, permission may be obtained to import in two or more shipments. A full inventory must accompany the first consignment, clearly indicating which goods are in the first shipment and which are to follow.

All documents must be with the agent before the goods arrive. If documents are not available on arrival, it will be impossible to organise customs clearance in time.

Note on SEF replacement: The Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF) was replaced in October 2023 by AIMA -- the Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum). All residence permit applications for non-EU nationals are now processed through AIMA. As of April 2025, AIMA only accepts fully complete applications; no exceptions are made for missing documents at the time of submission.

Goods qualify for duty-free TNR entry if: the owner has been habitually resident outside the EU for at least 12 months prior to transfer of residence; goods are used and have been in the owner's possession for at least 6 months; goods arrive within 6 months of the owner's own arrival in Portugal; and goods are not for sale after release.

Although duty-free entry applies to qualifying shipments, customs broker fees are always required. These are calculated on an ad valorem basis. Port handling charges and warehouse fees may be included and can be expensive -- estimates should be requested from the agent before the shipment departs.

If all required documents are not available at the time of customs clearance, duties and taxes will be assessed on the declared value.

Transferees must be present for customs clearance and must provide the exact date of their arrival in Portugal.

Antiques imported as part of a removal shipment are duty-free and require no additional documentation, but it is strongly recommended to declare them to customs at the time of entry to avoid complications on future export.

ISPM 15: Portugal enforces EU-wide requirements for heat-treated wood packaging materials (pallets, crates, dunnage) on shipments from non-EU countries. All wooden packing materials must carry the ISPM 15 mark.

Duties & Taxes

Portugal is an EU member state. Shipments originating within the EU move under EU free movement principles and are not subject to customs duties or formal clearance. Shipments from outside the EU are subject to Portuguese customs controls administered by the Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (AT -- Tax and Customs Authority). The primary duty-free route is the Transfer of Normal Residence (TNR) exemption under EU Regulation 1186/2009.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

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

All documents must arrive with the agent before the goods. Without documents in place at the time of arrival, customs clearance cannot be organised and storage charges will accrue rapidly.

The Baggage Certificate (Certificado de Bagagem) is the single most important document for the duty-free exemption. It must be obtained from the Portuguese Embassy or Consulate in the country of departure before the shipment leaves. It must not reference a secondary residence or list any item values.

The transferee must be present in Portugal for customs clearance and must provide an exact date of arrival.

Alcohol must not be packed in any shipment under any circumstances, including diplomatic removals. Alcohol found in a shipment will be refused at customs.

New or unopened items are not eligible for the duty-free exemption and will be assessed for duties and taxes. Ensure all items on the inventory are clearly described as used.

Antiques and items requiring special documentation should be clearly identified on the inventory and stowed for easy access during inspection.

Unpredictable additional expenses may arise, including customs broker fees (calculated ad valorem), port handling charges, warehouse fees, and inspection costs. Request detailed pre-arrival cost estimates from the destination agent.

Special territories: The Azores and Madeira are autonomous regions of Portugal with their own excise frameworks for tobacco and alcohol. Customs treatment for goods destined for these islands may differ from mainland Portugal; confirm requirements with the destination agent before shipping to these territories.