For expat families, the process of moving to a new country, finding a suitable accommodation or good school for their kids is just one of the many things they have to deal with as they prepare to start life in their new environment. When done alone, the whole process can be stressful and time consuming, and so the help of relocation experts is highly recommended.

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 Iraq.

IMPORT

A. Import of Household Goods (HHG)

1. Foreigners Moving To Iraq

Foreigners can import their shipments to Iraq with submitting the following documents for customs clearance:

• Packing list
• Proforma invoice
• Passport copy
• Copy of AWB
• Copy of work contract
• Letter from employer addressed to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Finance, requesting import customs clearance of household goods and personal effects of their employee. The letter needs to contain the contract number and the length of employment in Iraq (dates in the letter must match with the dates in the work contract) – required for shipments going to Kurdistan area
• Authorization letter from the origin agent – required for shipments going to Kurdistan area

Duties and taxes are to be paid and the amount will be around 8-10% of the declared customs value (based on the proforma invoice).

2. Returning Iraqi citizens

Returning Iraqi citizens can import their shipments to Iraq by submitting the following documents for customs clearance:

• Packing list
• Proforma invoice
• Passport copy
• Copy of AWB
• Copy of work contract
• Letter from employer the shipper worked for abroad addressed to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Finance, requesting import customs clearance of household goods and personal effects of their former employee. The letter needs to contain the contract number and the length of employment abroad (dates in the letter must match with the dates in the work contract) – required for shipments going to Kurdistan area
• Authorization letter from the origin agent – required for shipments going to Kurdistan area

Iraqi citizens are subject to the same rules and regulations concerning duties and taxes as foreign citizens.

3. Diplomats Working in Iraq

Diplomats can receive diplomatic exemption if the country has an Embassy in Baghdad. For import customs clearance the following documents are needed:

• Packing list
• Proforma invoice
• Passport copy
• Copy of AWB
• Copy of work contract
• Diplomatic protocol endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Finance
• Letter from employer addressed to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Finance, requesting import customs clearance of household goods and personal effects of their employee. The letter needs to contain the contract number and the length of employment in Iraq (dates in the letter must match with the dates in the work contract) – required for shipments going to Kurdistan area
• Authorization letter from the origin agent – required for shipments going to Kurdistan area

NOTES
Import procedure in Iraq is very time consuming and is not always running efficiently. Even the diplomatic customs clearance can take two weeks or longer.

Please note that due to the current situation in Iraq regulations change daily and rules in use in certain parts of the country may differ from the ones described above. Apart from Baghdad, Move One has an office in Erbil (Northern Iraq, Kurdistan area) as well, but the import process there is different and the required documents for customs clearance might also vary from the ones requested in Baghdad. In order to avoid any unnecessary delays and storage charges, before sending any shipment to the country please contact Move One to check the current paperwork requirements.

Prohibited Import Items When Moving To Iraq

• Weapons of all kinds
• Narcotics
• Pornographic materials
• Any kind of tactical gear

B. Import of Vehicles

It is not allowed for individuals to import vehicles for personal use on a temporary regime, customs clearance must be done on a permanent basis. Vehicles for company use can be imported on a temporary as well as on a permanent basis.

Vehicles (non-armoured) brought into the country must be manufactured in 2010 or later, otherwise import will not be allowed. Apart from the paperwork required for customs clearance of normal household goods, the following documents are needed for import customs clearance of a vehicle:

• Ownership paperwork
• Certificate of title
• Proforma invoice
• Passport copy
• Copy of BOL
• In case of vehicle import for a company, approval from Ministry of Interior as well as from regional customs office will be required

Payment of 8-10% duties and taxes is applicable if no diplomatic protocol is received from consignee’s Embassy. Amount of duties and taxes is calculated based on the declared customs value indicated on the proforma invoice.

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

Since there are no set rules yet for import of these items to Iraq, before sending any of the items above to the country please contact Move One to check the current documentation requirements.

D. Import of Wine, Spirits and Tobacco

Import of alcohol and tobacco products to Iraq is allowed for holders of diplomatic status only and the maximum quantity which can be imported per person is 1 carton of cigarettes.

Please note that there are no set rules for individuals, therefore please avoid including these items in a normal Household Goods (HHG) shipment.

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

Import of special items to Iraq such as rifles and stuffed animals is not allowed.

EXPORT

A. Export of Household Goods (HHG)

Foreigners, Iraqi citizens and Diplomats

For any export shipment from Iraq the following documents are requested for customs clearance:

• Packing list
• Proforma invoice
• Passport copy
• Copy of AWB

NOTES
A new flight monopoly in Iraq makes airfreight extremely difficult for the time being, therefore before planning any HHG export shipment from Iraq please contact Move One.

Prohibited Export Items When Leaving Iraq

• Weapons of all kinds
• Narcotics
• Pornographic materials
• Any kind of tactical gear

B. Export of Vehicles

Please note that as of November 2009 export of vehicles from Iraq is only possible via Military Airbase.
Documents required for export customs clearance are as follows:

• Ownership paperwork
• Certificate of Title
• Proforma invoice
• Passport copy
• Copy of shipping document

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

Please note there are no set rules in place yet for export of these items from Iraq, therefore before sending any of the items above in a HHG shipment please contact Move One to check the current documentation requirements.

D. Export of Wine, Spirits and Tobacco

Please note there are no set rules as of yet for export of alcohol and tobacco products from Iraq, therefore before sending any of the items above in a HHG shipment please contact Move One to check the current documentation requirements.

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

Export of special items from Iraq such as rifles and stuffed animals is not allowed.


Should you need help with your corporate or individual removal and storage needs, or you would like to receive a free quote, do not hesitate to contact us at moving@moveoneinc.com

Rest of the series:

Relocation: Iraq
Immigration: Iraq
Pet Transportation: Iraq

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