Importing Personal Effects into Tunisia: Documents & Customs Rules

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

Removal goods

• Original Passport.
• Original Bill of Lading (OBL) / Express Release / Air Waybill (AWB).
• Detailed inventory of all appliances (not valued).
• Original Residence Permit (duly approved by the Ministry of Interior).
• Original Work Permit (duly approved by the Ministry of Employment).
• Original ID card, if applicable (for returning Tunisian citizens, both spouses for married status).
• Packing list in French (Diplomats).
• Diplomatic Franchise / Exemption (Diplomats).
• Authorizations issued by the Ministry of Tourism, allowing the customer to have a secondary residence (secondary residences).
• Proof of purchase by the appropriate government office (secondary residences).
• Sales Contract of secondary residence (second residences).

• An advance copy of the OBL must be sent to the destination agent with name matching the passport exactly.
• For foreign expatriates employed in Tunisia, Tunisian Customs is differentiating those working for the Export/Offshore market and those working for the local market.
• For the Expats working for the Export/Offshore market goods will be cleared Duty Free on the temporary franchise basis. All items previously imported must be exported upon departure.
• For the Expats working for the local market Taxes & Duties will apply.
• All shipments are subject to an inspection at the point of entry (POE), except diplomatic shipments.
• The shipper must be present for Customs clearance, except Diplomats.
• For foreign Expats entering Tunisia via employment contract, the original Work Permit is required for Customs clearance. If not available, additional port storage and
• container demurrage charges will be charged.
• If the property owner is unable to provide the final Residence Permit at clearance time then Customs will ask for a deposit reimbursed after production of the final document, Residence Permit / Work Permit (foreigners on employment contracts with duty-free entry).
• The shipper (Diplomat) should be present in Tunisia at least 2–3 weeks prior to the shipment’s arrival to be accredited by the Tunisian Government and present the Diplomatic Franchise / Exemption, which must be approved by both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Customs Administration. It takes approximately 1 month to be duly approved by both administrations.
• For Retired People:
• If shipper is the owner of his residence then Customs will ask for the Title Ownership, the residence permit and clear goods on a duty free temporary basis
• If shipper is renting the place then Customs will ask for the residence permit, proof of financial resources through the local Tunisian Bank. Shipment will be subject to Taxes & Duties. It is advisable to avoid exceeding the 1x20’ Container volume.
• The Packing List should be forwarded to the destination agent in advance with a copy of the OBL in order to avoid delays.

• Valuable articles should be declared upon arrival to ensure re-export.
• Baggage is cleared at the first airport of entry in Tunisia.
• Exempt: passengers in transit at Tunis (TUN) to a destination outside of Tunisia, holding onward tickets.

Restricted items

• Live animals – health certificate required along with complete and valid inoculations. Contact nearest embassy to obtain permission.
• Endangered species and any products or parts thereof as outlined by CITES maybe be brought in only with CITES permission.
• Medication.
• Local currency - Tunisian Dinar (TND) – cash import available only with permission. Contact the nearest embassy.
• Foreign Currency declarable when exceeding the below amounts:
• Foreigners - the equivalent of TND 5,000.
• Residents - the equivalent of TND 25,000.
• Hunting weapons permissible only with authorisation obtainable from Ministry of Interior. Contact nearest embassy for more information.
• Plants (a Phytosanitary Certificate is required).
• Appliances, electronics, and computers
• 1 of each item is allowed;
• make, model and serial number must be included on the detailed inventory.
• New items (dutiable).
• Perfumes (reasonable quantity).
• Satellite receivers, faxes, walkie-talkies, and telephones.
• Subject to possible temporary hold by Customs these items are allowed entry only with authorization from the
• appropriate authorities.
• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 500g of tobacco.
• There is no information on age restrictions.
• 1L of spirits (over 25% volume of alcohol) or 2L of lighter alcohol beverages (up to 25% volume of alcohol).

• The same restrictions on spirits and alcohol apply for diplomats. They should check their allowance with their Embassy prior to shipping.

Prohibited items

• Drones & mini-drones
• Pornographic documents
• Counterfeit items
• Cultural artefacts and other objects of cultural importance
• Henna
• Palm tree and any products thereof
• Explosive material
• Illegal drugs, narcotics
• Weapons, ammunition, explosives

Exporting Personal Effects from Tunisia: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2024 · Download the Tunisia Export Guide (PDF)

HHG/PE - Expatriate

• Final Tax Clearance (issued by Tax Office)
• Certificate of Change of Residence (issued by Police station which issued the Residence Permit)

HHG-PE - Tunisian citizen

• Tax Receipt from previous year
• Work attestation abroad/Reason of Transfer

Tunisia Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

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

Documents

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

• Original passport
• Original Bill of Lading, Express Release, or Airway Bill — an advance copy must be sent to the destination agent with the shipper's name matching the passport exactly
• Detailed inventory of all appliances (not valued); appliances must list make, model, and serial number
• Packing list (in French for diplomatic shipments; forwarded to the destination agent in advance with a copy of the OBL to avoid delays)

• Original Residence Permit, duly approved by the Ministry of Interior
• Original Work Permit, duly approved by the Ministry of Employment

• Original ID card (for both spouses if married)

• Packing list in French
• Diplomatic Franchise/Exemption, approved by both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Customs Administration — the diplomat must be present in Tunisia at least 2–3 weeks before the shipment arrives to be accredited; the full approval process takes approximately 1 month

• Authorizations from the Ministry of Tourism permitting the customer to have a secondary residence
• Proof of purchase from the appropriate government office
• Sales contract for the secondary residence

• Title of ownership, Residence Permit

• Residence Permit
• Proof of financial resources through a local Tunisian bank

Specific Information

Tunisian Customs distinguishes between expatriates working for the Export/Offshore market and those working for the local market.

Expatriates working for the Export/Offshore sector: goods cleared duty-free on a temporary franchise basis. All items previously imported must be re-exported upon departure. Valuable articles should be declared on arrival to ensure smooth re-export later.

Expatriates working for the local market: full duties and taxes apply.

All shipments (except diplomatic) are subject to physical inspection at the point of entry. The shipper must be present for Customs clearance. Diplomats are exempt from both inspection and the presence requirement.

If the Work Permit or Residence Permit is not available at the time of clearance, port storage and container demurrage charges will accrue. If the Residence Permit is unavailable, Customs may accept a temporary importation arrangement backed by a bank deposit, valid for 12 months. The deposit is cancelled upon presentation of the final Residence Permit within the allowed period.

Retired persons renting (rather than owning) their residence are subject to duties and taxes; it is advisable to limit shipment volume to no more than one 20-foot container.

Baggage is cleared at the first airport of entry in Tunisia. Passengers in transit at Tunis–Carthage Airport (TUN) holding onward tickets to a destination outside Tunisia are exempt.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

• Drones and mini-drones
• Pornographic documents
• Counterfeit items
• Cultural artefacts and objects of cultural importance
• Henna
• Palm trees and any products thereof
• Explosive material
• Illegal drugs and narcotics
• Weapons, ammunition, and explosives (without specific authorization) PERMIT REQUIRED
• Boerboel, Pitbull, Rottweiler, and Tosa dog breeds
• Falcons

• Appliances, electronics, and computers: one of each item is allowed duty-free; make, model, and serial number must be listed on the detailed inventory for every appliance
• New items: dutiable regardless of overall shipment exemption status
• Plants: phytosanitary certificate required
• Perfume: reasonable personal quantity permitted
• Alcohol: 1 litre of spirits (over 25% ABV) or 2 litres of lighter beverages (up to 25% ABV); the same restrictions apply to diplomats, who should verify their personal allowance with their embassy before shipping
• Tobacco: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 500g of tobacco (no age restriction specified)
• Satellite receivers, fax machines, walkie-talkies, and telephones: subject to possible temporary hold by Customs; entry permitted only with authorization from the appropriate authorities
• Medications: restricted; may require authorization
• Live animals: health certificate and complete valid vaccinations required; contact the nearest embassy to obtain permission
• Hunting weapons: permissible with authorization from the Ministry of Interior; contact nearest embassy
• Tunisian Dinar (TND): cash importation permitted only with prior permission from the nearest embassy
• Foreign currency: must be declared on arrival if exceeding TND 5,000 equivalent (foreigners) or TND 25,000 equivalent (residents)
• CITES-protected species: may be imported only with CITES permission CITES

Consignment Instructions

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

An advance copy of the OBL or AWB must be sent to the destination agent before the shipment arrives. The shipper's name must match the passport exactly on all documents.

The shipper must be present for Customs clearance of all non-diplomatic shipments. For diplomatic shipments, the diplomat must be in Tunisia at least 2–3 weeks before the shipment arrives; the full diplomatic franchise approval process takes approximately 1 month.

If work or residence permits are not in hand at the time of clearance, port storage and demurrage will accrue. All valuable articles should be declared upon arrival to ensure they can be re-exported without issue later.