Yemen Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

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

Documents

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

• Passport
• Original bill of lading (OBL) or air waybill (AWB)
• Detailed inventory
• Work permit
• Letter of guarantee (for duty-free import)

• Tax card
• Import license
• Sales tax certificate
• Customs deal card
• Bank Form 11
• Invoice (bank endorsement required)
• Receipt for expenses from bank
• Certificate of origin (legalized)
• Radiation certificate

Specific Information

Commercial Shipments: Commercial shipments are subject to duty payments, sales tax, and service fees.

Practical Note: Given the split political authority in Yemen, whether a shipment is processed under internationally recognized government customs procedures (primarily Aden area) or Houthi-controlled procedures (Sana'a area and north) significantly affects all practical aspects of clearance. Confirm the destination and relevant authority with the local agent before booking.

Duties & Taxes

Duty-Free Import: Diplomats, embassy personnel, and persons backed by a bank letter of guarantee may import shipments duty-free. The letter of guarantee must cover the applicable duties; alternatively, a cash payment as determined by Customs is required. Letter-of-guarantee shipments are 100% reimbursable when the goods are re-exported.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

• Alcohol and alcoholic beverages
• Drugs and narcotics
• Pornographic materials
• Subversive literature
• Inkjet printers and workstations

• Videotapes, cassettes, records, and CDs — subject to inspection
• Printers and scanners — require authorization from the Ministry of the Interior; the operation manual must accompany the item [PERMIT REQUIRED]
• Fax machines — require authorization from the Ministry of Telecommunications [PERMIT REQUIRED]
• Books and paintings — subject to inspection by the Ministry of Culture before clearance
• Firearms — require a special license [PERMIT REQUIRED]
• Food products — subject to inspection by the Ministry of Agriculture before Customs clearance; approval from the Ministry of Health and Atomic Energy is required for import; commercial food imports must have product name, expiration date, manufacturing date, and name of the owner of the goods clearly identified on each carton

Consignment Instructions

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

Conflict Context — Confirm Everything Locally. Yemen's ongoing civil war has fundamentally disrupted all logistics infrastructure. Port operations, airport access, customs authority, and applicable procedures vary by location and change unpredictably. Before accepting any booking for Yemen, IAM members must obtain direct written confirmation from a reliable local agent regarding: the operational status of the relevant port or airport; which authority controls customs at the destination; current duty and clearance procedures; and realistic timelines. Do not rely on pre-conflict procedural knowledge.

Letter of Guarantee. For duty-free personal imports, a letter of guarantee covering the applicable duties must be presented to Customs. This guarantee is refunded when goods are re-exported. Coordinate the guarantee arrangements with the local agent in advance.

Port Access. The port of Hodeidah has been a conflict flashpoint. Aden port is more accessible for internationally recognized government-controlled areas. Routing and port selection must be determined in consultation with the local agent based on the destination within Yemen.

No Letter of Guarantee for Vehicles. Unlike household goods, letters of guarantee are not accepted for vehicle imports. Duties must be paid in cash.