For expat families, the process of moving to a new country, finding a suitable accommodation or good school for their kids are just one of many things they have to deal with as they prepare to start life in a their environment. The entire process, if handled personally, can become quite difficult and time consuming and as such, requires the help of relocation experts.

At Move One, we understand the importance of making a seamless transition when settling in your new destination and are committed to making this possible. As part of this commitment, we offer advice on Relocation, Immigration, Moving and Pet Transportation matters in the many countries where we are present. This month, we shed the spotlight on Hungary.

Import of Household Goods

Foreigners Moving To Hungary

For Non-EU citizens, Moving to Hungary, there are two ways to customs clear their shipments. The first way is to customs clear the shipment free of duties and taxes. The second and easier way is to pay the amount of duties and taxes based on the value of the goods.

List of documents required for duty free customs clearance:

• Copy of passport
• Mother’s maiden name (family and given name too)
• Signed power of attorney with value declaration in original (we will provide you with the form) If it can be sent only by fax or as an e-mail attachment, fax header and footer must be readable
• Declaration for customs ID number (we will provide you with the form)
• Itemized, valued inventory list in categories (type, model and serial number of electrical appliances, number of pieces of electronics, furniture, sport equipments, books, CD-s, DVD-s, customs value of each item)
• Proof of living outside of the EU for MORE than one year (365 days are not enough)
• Declaration about that he/she owns and uses his/her personal effects for more than six months prior the packing
• Proof that he/she will live in Hungary for MORE than 12 months (i.e. work certificate from company)
• Proof of address in Hungary (for example the address card)
• Residence permit
• Work permit
• Work certificate from company stating that the client will work here for more than 12 month
• Declaration about the date, when he/she moved his residence to Hungary (the 12 month above should be applicable from this date)

In case of client doesn’t have all the required documents for the customs clearance, then customs office allows the clearance if deposit or guarantee is issued for the amount of duties and taxes. If the requested documents arrive within six months from the date of customs clearance then customs office releases guarantee. If the client does not provide the requested docs, then customs office withdraws the amount of duties and taxes from the guarantee and client has to pay it.

List of documents required for definitive customs clearance paying duties and taxes:

• Copy of passport
• Mother’s maiden name (family and given name too)
• Signed power of attorney with value declaration in original (we will provide you with the form) If it can only be sent by fax or as an e-mail attachment, fax header and footer must be readable
• Declaration for customs ID number (we will provide you with the form)
• Itemized, valued inventory list in categories (type, model and serial number of electrical appliances, number of pieces of electronics, furniture, sport equipment, books, CD-s, DVD-s, customs value of each item)
• The amount of duties and taxes transferred or paid in cash to the customs office directly (based on the inventory list above we will provide you with the amount)

EU citizens
EU citizens can import household goods duty free only if they have worked outside the European Union for more than one year. The documents required for customs clearance are as follows:

• Copy of passport
• Mother’s maiden name (family and given name too)
• Signed power of attorney with value declaration in original (we will provide you with the form) If it can only be sent by fax or as an e-mail attachment, fax header and footer must be readable
• Signed legal statement (we will provide you with the form)
• Itemized, valued inventory list in categories (type, model and serial number of electrical appliances, number of pieces of electronics, furniture, sport equipment, books, CD-s, DVD-s, customs value of each item)
• Copy of flat rental contract or contract of buying a flat/house
• Work certificate from the employer at destination
• Documents which approve that client lived outside of EU for more than 12 months prior of moving to Hungary (copy of residence permit from origin country, visa copy, bills)
• Work certificate from the employer at origin (declaring client’s name, job title, period of work and full address at origin)
• Copy of EU registration card

Returning Hungarian citizens

Returning Hungarian citizens can import household goods duty free only if they have worked outside the European Union for more than 1 year.

The documents required for customs clearance are as follows:

• Copy of passport
• Copy of ID card
• Copy of residence card
• Copy of tax ID card
• Mother’s maiden name (family and given name too)
• Signed power of attorney with value declaration in original (we will provide you with the form) If it can be sent only by fax or as an e-mail attachment, fax header and footer must be readable
• Signed legal statement (we will provide you with the form)
• Itemized, valued inventory list in categories (type, model and serial number of electrical appliances, number of pieces of electronics, furniture, sport equipments, books, CD-s, DVD-s, customs value of each item)
• Work certificate from the employer at origin (declaring client’s name, job title, period of work and full address at origin)
• Documents which approves that client lived outside of EU for more than 12 months prior of returning to Hungary (copy of residence permit from origin country, visa copy, bills, flat rental contract)

In case that the Hungarian citizen is returning after being abroad for less than 1 year the shipment cannot be imported duty free.

Diplomats Visiting Hungary

Diplomats may import an unlimited number of duty free shipments. They need the following documents:

• Copy of passport
• Mother’s maiden name (family and given name too)
• Signed power of attorney with value declaration in original (we will provide you with the form) If it can be sent only by fax or as an e-mail attachment, fax header and footer must be readable
• Diplomatic protocol (in Hungarian “Vammentesitesi Kerelem”) stamped and signed by the Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Inventory list stamped and signed by the Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Notes For Inventory Lists When Importing To Hungary

In the 1st year after client’s settlement in Hungary several shipments can be customs cleared duty free without any quantity / amount restriction. Although client has to declare that each shipment belongs to him/her more than 6 months. Consequently duties and taxes has to be paid not only for new items but for each shipment which will be sent over the 1 year period of settlement.
Valued inventory list for items intended for import customs clearance should be descriptive, e.g. double bed set, wardrobe, dinning table with six chairs and etc. Home electrical and electronic appliances should be very clearly mentioned along with their serial numbers. It is also suggested to declare a low value for items.
Valued inventory lists are for customs purposes and therefore the value does not have to be the same as used for insurance purposes. It is strictly advised not to enclose the list used for insurance purposes along with the shipping documents.
If all necessary documents are received customs clearance takes about one day for normal household goods and personal effects. In some special cases it is possible that clearance could take 72 hours.

Prohibited Items When Moving To Hungary

• Weapons of all kinds
• Pornography
• Narcotics
• Toxic material
• Radioactive material

Import of Vehicles to Hungary

The car must meet the EURO 4 environmental standard and must be equipped with catalyst. Only returning Hungarians and EU citizens can import cars duty free (but still paying registration tax). All non-EU citizens must pay duties and taxes over the registration tax but non-EU citizens can import the car on temporary basis also. If the car is imported on temporary basis the client has to provide a bank guarantee (or cash deposit) covering the amount of duties and taxes on the car which will be released (transferred back if cash deposit) when the car is re-exported out of Hungary. Registration tax won’t be returned in any case.

Customs office makes a provisional customs clearance on the car which is valid for 20 days. During these 20 days the car must be checked at the technical test station and only cars meeting the European standards can pass the technical test (and can be imported into Hungary). All clients (even if the customs clearance of the car is duty free finally) must put a guarantee (cash deposit) in the customs office covering the duties and taxes on the car for this period. When technical test station allows the car to be imported then the car needs to be registered in Hungary and the client must pay the registration tax (depending on the parameters of the car between 1550 USD – 19850 USD) and go back to the customs office making the final customs clearance. If customs clearance is duty free then customs office transfers back the amount of cash deposit (client has to submit a request form to the customs office). Registration tax applies on all imported cars, it doesn’t matter if the customs clearance is duty free or not.

Over than the above mentioned documents for importing HHGS customs requires the following papers for car importation:

• Original registration papers of the car
• Invoice of the car or a value declaration signed by the shipper
• Parameters of the car (year of manufacture, model, type, volumetric capacity of the engine, petrol or diesel)
• Cash deposit / bank guarantee

Import of Carpets, Paintings, Musical Instruments, Artifacts and Antiques

All furniture and artwork are defined as antique over 50 years old.

When importing antiques and paintings to Hungary, no special permits are needed. These items must be clearly marked on the original packing list. For customs clearance a photo has to be provided with description of the item (size, in case of artwork – artist, title). This prevents any discrepancies when trying to export the goods.

Notes
If the shipper paid duties and taxes on the imported antiques to Hungary and would like to export them one day, permit from Ministry of Culture will be required for export customs clearance.

Import of Special Items (Rifles, Stuffed Animals, etc.)

Rifles
Several import permits are required depending on the type of the rifle which wants to be imported

Stuffed animals

• CITES certificate
• Animal health certificate

Notes
Before importing any special item to Hungary please contact our office in order to check the appropriate permit requirements.

Import of Wine, Spirits and Tobacco

If client wants to bring alcohol into Hungary he/she must take the alcohol with themselves. Sending alcohol and tobacco in unaccompanied shipments is prohibited and will be confiscated by customs.

Importing alcohol and tobacco has strict rules. Allowance for import of wines, spirits and tobacco products for personal consumption is:

Limits for Alcohol
Wine (made of grape): 4 liter OR
Beer: 16 liters OR
Alcohol (containing less than 22% alcohol, except wine made of grape and beer): 2 litres OR
Alcohol (containing more than 22% alcohol): 1 litre

Limits for Tobacco
Limits for importing tobacco items depend on the way of travelling.

1) For air passengers:
Cigarettes: 200 pcs (not box) OR
Cigarillos (less then 3g each): 100 pcs OR
Cigars: 50 pcs OR
Tobacco: 250 grams

2) For other passengers:
Cigarettes: 40 pcs OR

Cigarillos (less then 3g each): 20 pcs OR
Cigars: 10 pcs OR
Tobacco: 50 grams

Above these amounts client has to pay duties and taxes.

Export of Household Goods

Foreigners, EU citizens, Hungarian citizens

For export customs clearance individuals (non diplomats) need to provide the following documents:

• Copy of passport
• Mother’s maiden name (family and given name too)
• Signed power of attorney with value declaration in original (we will provide you with the form) If it can be sent only by fax or as an e-mail attachment, fax header and footer must be readable
• Itemized, valued inventory list in categories (type, model and serial number of electrical appliances, number of pieces of electronics, furniture, sport equipments, books, CD-s, DVD-s, customs value of each item)
• Original import paperwork (for non Hungarians)
• If antiques, musical instruments or artwork want to be exported export permit from Ministry of Culture is required (if they are listed on the temporary import customs paperwork export permit is not needed)

Diplomats

• Copy of passport
• Mother’s maiden name (family and given name too)
• Signed power of attorney with value declaration in original (we will provide you with the form) If it can be sent only by fax or as an e-mail attachment, fax header and footer must be readable
• Diplomatic protocol (in Hungarian “Vámszemle Kérelem“) stamped and signed by the Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Inventory list stamped and signed by the Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Notes
If all necessary documents are received customs clearance takes about one day for normal household goods and personal effects. In some special cases it is possible that clearance could take 72 hours.

Prohibited Items

• Weapons of all kinds
• Pornography
• Narcotics
• Toxic material
• Radioactive material

Export of Vehicles

There are two ways of exporting vehicles from Hungary and the procedure for these is different.

Loading the vehicle into a container or on a trailer
Before the vehicle can be exported it needs to be de-registered. If de-registration has not been done prior to the export of the vehicle, the client must send back the export document that was stamped at the border with the car plates and the Hungarian car papers. The following documents are needed for the de-registration:

• Both car plates
• Original car papers
• Insurance contract and the slip from the last payment
• Green card
• Car ownership document “Jarmu torzskonyv” which only applies to cars bought in Hungary

Following the de-registration process the car must be taken for a customs inspection. It can only be inspected if it is already on the trailer or in the container. The driver will receive the customs declaration which they will take with them to the destination country.

Driving the vehicle through the border
Before the process can occur an export inspection must take place at origin. The individual driving the car out of the country must buy a forwarding bond at the time when they are entering other countries. Countries not part of the EU will require their own forwarding bond. At the time of exporting a vehicle by driving it across the border a ‘Z’ plate must be obtained, which is valid for 30 days. ‘Z’ plate can only be obtained from the central document office at 1138 Budapest, Visegradi u. 110-112. The following documents are needed to obtain a ‘Z’ plate:

• Both car plates
• Original Hungarian car papers
• Insurance for ‘Z’ plates and international insurance
• Original invoice or declaration on value with a valid stamp from the customs office
• Original inspection paperwork
• Green card
• Car ownership document “Jármű törzskönyv” which only applies to cars bought in Hungary
• Copy of client’s passport
• Copy of Hungarian residence permit, even if it has expired
• Copy of client’s drivers license
• Export documents already stamped by the customs officer

Export of Carpets, Paintings, Musical Instruments, Artifacts and Antiques

When exporting artwork, antiques, instruments, etc, then it is advised to have the receipts from the purchase of the goods. If the goods were brought into the country then the shipper must have the original import paperwork for them. Export permits are needed to take the goods out of Hungary and the receipt shows the value of the item. Electric musical items (such as electric piano, electric guitar, etc.) do not require export permit, but brand, model- and serial number must be declared.

An export permit (Kiviteli Engedely) is obtained from the respective Hungarian museum to export the art, antiques and other artifacts. With a permit, Hungarian customs will allow the export of the goods. It can take up to one month to obtain an export permit. Prepare well in advance so that the process can be completed for customs clearance in due time.

Notes
Items over 100 years old will be very difficult to export from Hungary unless they were well documented upon arrival.

Export of Special Items (Rifles, Stuffed Animals, etc.)

Rifles
Several permits are required depending on the type of the rifle which wants to be exported

• Stuffed animals
• CITES certificate
• Animal health certificate

Notes
Before exporting any special item from Hungary please contact our office in order to check the appropriate permit requirements, also make sure that these items can be imported to the destination country

Export of Wine, Spirits and Tobacco

There is no restriction as to the amount of wine, spirits and tobacco that can be exported for personal consumption to a non-EU country.

If the destination is an EU country alcohol and tobacco can be transported by the client only.

Please note that in both cases import rules of the destination country must be followed to avoid problems with importing the alcohol and tobacco.

The information above is only for informational purposes only. While the information provided is accurate, it is subject to change. If you are considering a move to Hungary, you are advised to consult with Move One’s relocation experts to avoid any problems throughout the process.

For further information on relocating or moving to Hungary, please contact Move One at moving@moveoneinc.com or request a free quote by filling out our short online questionnaire.

Rest of the series:

Relocation: Hungary
Immigration: Hungary
Pet Transportation: Hungary

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