Suriname Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

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

Documents

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

• Original passport
• Residence visa or work visa (cargo must arrive after the owner has obtained a valid visa)
• Original Bill of Lading (OBL) or Airway Bill (AWB) — express release is not accepted; original OBL required
• Comprehensive, detailed inventory, valued and signed by the owner
• Packing list
• Power of Attorney authorizing the destination agent to arrange customs clearance
• Certificate of Removal (obtained from the Population Register in the country of departure)
• Certificate of Insurance

• Diplomatic franchise
• Original passport
• Comprehensive inventory, dated and signed by the owner
• Power of Attorney for destination agent
• All documents must reach the destination agent at least 15 days before arrival to obtain duty-free entry approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Specific Information

Used household goods and personal effects are duty-free when the following conditions are all met: the goods have been owned and used by the importer for a minimum of 6 months; the importer has lived abroad for at least one year; and the goods are imported within 6 months of the owner's arrival in Suriname. All new items are subject to duty and tax regardless of the owner's qualifying status. Goods may not be sold, lent, or otherwise disposed of during the owner's stay in Suriname.

All appliances and electronics must have invoices or receipts. Prescription medications require a health certificate.

Foreign diplomats, members of government missions, and staff of international organizations are granted duty-free entry of personal effects and household goods, provided all documents are delivered to the destination agent at least 15 days before the shipment arrives, so the destination agent can obtain free-entry authorization from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Import tariffs for non-CARICOM goods generally range from 0–40%, with average rates between 30–40% on dutiable items. Goods entering under CARICOM's free trade regime must be accompanied by a Certificate of Origin and a CARICOM invoice.

Note: Suriname does not impose ISPM 15 regulations for wood packaging material, though ISPM 15-compliant packaging is always recommended as a best practice.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

• Narcotics and illegal drugs of any kind
• Pornographic, obscene, and subversive materials
• Firearms, explosives, and ammunition without a valid import permit PERMIT REQUIRED
• Foodstuffs (general prohibition on food import in personal effects)
• Pesticides
• Chemical and radioactive wastes
• Chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons and related materials
• Goods obtained illegally in the country of origin
• Wildlife and wildlife products covered by CITES CITES

• Appliances and electronics: must have invoices/receipts; duties apply to new items
• New items (owned less than 6 months): must have invoices/receipts; subject to full import duties
• Prescription medications: require a health certificate
• Tobacco: duty-free allowance is 200 cigarettes or 500 grams of loose tobacco; excess is subject to duty
• Alcohol: duty-free allowance is 1 litre of spirits, 4 litres of wine, and 8 litres of beer; excess is subject to duty
• Firearms, explosives, and ammunition: import permit required PERMIT REQUIRED
• Goods requiring an import licence (H-99 Form, applied for at the Ministry of Economic Affairs): licensing certificates are issued by the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Fisheries depending on the category
• Goods under CARICOM free trade regime: must be accompanied by Certificate of Origin and CARICOM invoice

Consignment Instructions

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

Express release is not accepted for household goods shipments — original Bill of Lading is required. For diplomatic shipments, all documents must reach the destination agent at least 15 days before the shipment arrives to allow time for Ministry of Foreign Affairs duty-free authorization.

The Certificate of Removal from the Population Register at origin must be obtained before departure. The owner must have a valid residence or work visa in place before the cargo arrives.

Goods must be imported within 6 months of the owner's arrival in Suriname. New items, and items not meeting the 6-month ownership requirement, will be assessed for full import duties regardless of the owner's resident status.