Moving to Czech Republic

IMPORT OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS

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. Managing the whole process alone can be stressful and time consuming, and so the help of relocation experts is highly recommended. At Move One Relocations we understand the importance of making a seamless transition when settling in your new destination, and are committed to making this possible.

Foreigners, Moving to Czech Republic, wishing to import household goods duty an tax free to Czech Republic need to provide us with the following documents:

• Personal declaration that all HHG are older than 6 months
• Company declaration or copy of business licence (free-lancing clients)
• Copy of work permit
• Copy of long term visa or receipt that the shipper has already applied for it (customs will check it in case if it is already available at time of import)
• Packing list of all goods in Czech and in English with values
• Copy of passport
• Copy of lease contract for at least 1 year on client’s name
• Power of Attorney for Move One to import the shipment

Note: household goods are allowed to be imported duty and tax free only within 1 year period from an official date of entering a country (date of issuing of a long term visa)

EU citizens
EU citizens importing HHG from third countries are required to submit the same paperwork as foreigners, but instead of a work permit and long term visa they should provide a copy of a residence permit from Immigration Police. It takes about 30 days to obtain residence permit in Prague – city , 7-10 days in Prague –west / east or out of Prague.

Note: household goods are allowed to be imported duty and tax free only within 1 year period from an official date of entering a country (date of issuing of a residence permit)

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Returning citizens must have been away for at least one year to import their goods duty free. All goods, which were bought within the last 6 months, before returning to Czech Republic including food, cigarettes and personal belongings, cannot be imported duty free.

The following documents are needed:

• Packing list of all goods in Czech and in English
• Personal declaration (declare that all HHG are older 6 months)
• Proof that the individual spent at least 12 months abroad (a copy of foreign work permit, visa, company declaration or copy of any other official document at origin)
• Company declaration – if possible written by the Czech employer
• Copy of Czech ID (double-sided – an address in personal declaration has to be the same as on the Czech ID card)

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Diplomats importing HHG and personal effects to Czech Republic need to submit the following documents:

• Personal import declaration signed by customer
• Copy of diplomatic identification card
• Embassy import declaration
• Copy of packing list
• Copy of passport
• Power of Attorney for Move One to import the shipment

Special Cases – a person moving from and to other country than a country of birth
A person moving from and to other country than a country of birth is to provide documents proving a long term stay on both ends (origin + destination ). For example a British citizen relocating from Hong Kong to Prague is to provide chinese visa and/ or work permit copy (origin) as well as residence permit and other docs for destination.

Notes For Inventory Lists When Importing To Czech Republic
Valued inventory list for items intended for temporary import should be descriptive, e.g. double bed set, wardrobe, dining 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 customs value for items for temporary import. It is strictly advised not to enclose the list used for insurance purposes to the shipping documents. Please note that the declared customs value will be the base of customs bond, therefore it is not recommended to send the insurance ppwk together with the shipping documents.

Move One can help with estimating the proper customs value for clearance purposes). Customs clearance takes about 1-2 business days. Tax free import is possible when the personal effects have been in the shipper’s possession for longer than 6 months. The customs officer may ask for a bank guarantee or a guarantee in cash even if all import documents are in perfect order.

Customs usually completes an inspection if the shipment is declared as HHG and contains only furniture (no clothes, shoes, etc.).
For importing new furniture the client needs to submit purchase invoice or any other declaration of value for customs purposes. Declaration of origin should be indicated on the invoice.

Duties and taxes for new furniture are as follows:

• 4.8% (tropical wood furniture)
• 9.6% (office furniture, wooden beds)
• 7% (furniture constructed of metal)
• 19% tax (the same for all goods on import)

Client is responsible for payment of duties and taxes in cash to the customs officials on import. Brand new furniture cannot be declared as used just because of repacking it. Personal effects have to be imported duty free within 6 months after entering Czech Republic. All changes in address must be reported to customs authorities. Customs clearance is only valid for the period of the work contract.

There is no customs clearance duty for non-commercial movement within EU any more. Occasional customs inspections at the border line may occur. EU clients should be still aware of import limits for alcohol and tobacco.

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• Weapons of all kinds (see exceptions below)
• Narcotics
• Toxic material
• Radioactive material

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• Original invoice or purchasing contract
• Certificate of Title and technical book of the car
• Personal declaration
• Company declaration
• Power of attorney to authorize the removal agent to represent the importer at the customs authorities
• Photocopy of housing contract (the rental period has to be for minimum of 12 months)
• Photocopy of long term visa
• Photocopy of passport
• Copy of work permit

Important: Vehicles shipped solo in containers are automatically considered as commercial cargo. For a non-commercial status , vehicles are to be loaded together with HHG part in containers (sea transport) or customs cleared together with a HHG part (non–EU road transport).

Notes
Please note that vehicles can be imported to Czech Rebulic duty free only if they are subject of re-exportation and the vehicle is not older than 8 years and it is not younger than 6 months. Car up to 6 months old is cleared as a new vehicle and import duties and taxes are to be paid. Consignee without necessary import paperwork also has to pay 16% duties and 20% VAT. The car has to go through inspection for environmental and safety standards.

It is necessary to de-register the car in the origin country, but client should have his residence permit in Czech Republic that time in order to be able to register the car in Czech. Client is allowed to use his car with origin plates in/out of Czech Republic and start registration process after getting the residence permit. Transit plates are valid for 14 days or 1 month.

Customs authorities can request a deposit of 50% of value of the vehicle even if the client has all requested documents. Bond will be held for two years or until the car is exported. If the car is not exported in this period, the government will return duties and VAT to the imported at the end of the second year and the importer is then able to sell the car.

During temporary importation period the car must not be sold.

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Antiques are defined as items over 50 years old. When importing such items, they need to be registered upon arrival with the
following documents:

• Individual inventory list with the name of the art, year of production and the value of each piece
• 2 photos of each item (front and side)

There is no limit on the items that can be brought into the Czech Republic as long as each item is registered.

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Rifles

Temporary import:

• Consignee needs weapon transit sheet (issued by Czech Embassy in origin country)
• Validity: maximum 90 days (after this period the rifle must be exported)

Permanent import:

• Consignee needs weapon transit sheet for permanent import (issued by Czech Embassy in origin country)
• Validity: unlimited

5 days after arrival consignee must contact relevant police office (it depends on the final destination), register and ask for issuing of weapon pass for Czech Republic, which costs approx. USD 250. In case of export of weapon client must de-register it at the same police office.

Stuffed animals
For import of stuffed heads and skins of animals for permanent stay or for stay over 30 days client needs:

• Import permit issued by relevant local Veterinary Authority (it depends on final destination)
• Client also has to apply for an approval of import abroad. This document needs to contain the number of pieces being imported, description, species, country of origin, date and method of transport, name of border crossings. This document has to be sent to local VAT officer before arrival
• CITES certificate

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The allowance limit for import of wine, spirits and tobacco for personal consumption is:

• Wine: 2 litres
• Spirits: 1 litre
• Cigarettes: 200 cigarettes
• Cigarillos: 100 cigarillos

For excess amounts brought into the Czech Republic the following duties and taxes will be charged:

• Wine: 30% customs duty and 19% VAT
• Spirits: 56 % customs duty and 19% VAT plus consumption tax of CZK 234 per liter of pure spirit
• Tobacco: 55% customs duty and 19% VAT plus a consumption tax of CZK 0.36 per piece

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EXPORT OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS

Regulations, charges or restrictions may apply to household goods exports as they leave the Czech Republic and when they arrive at their destination country. Specialists at Move One Relocations are experts in local rules and industry regulations and will handle your transaction on both sides. At Move One Relocations we understand the importance of making a seamless transition as your foreign assignment in the Czech Republic is coming to an end, and are committed to making this possible.

Foreigners wishing to export goods from the Czech Republic can get their bank guarantee or bond back when they leave the country. The bond is returned based on the confirmation of the customs house. To receive confirmation a stamped packing list, T1 or CMR is needed. The following documents are request for export customs clearance:

• Packing list of all goods in Czech and in English
• Number of pieces
• Personal declaration
• Statement from the employer stating that the shipper was employed in the Czech Republic (Company declaration)
• Copy of passport (visa and permanent address as well)
• Copies of import documents

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Czech citizens wishing to export goods from the Czech republic need the following documents:

• Packing list of all goods in Czech and in English
• Number of pieces
• Copy of passport and citizen card (double-sided copy)
• Personal declaration
• Proof of employment abroad or statement from the company sending the employee abroad
• Address abroad

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Diplomats wishing to export goods need the following documents:

• Copy of passport
• Copy of diplomatic card
• Embassy’s confirmation that the shipper’s employment term is over, in Czech and in English if possible
• Power of Attorney for AES/Move One to export the shipment, in Czech and in English if possible
• Packing list, in Czech and in English if possible

Notes
Customs clearance takes about 2-3 business days.
There is no customs clearance duty for non-commercial movement within EU anymore. Occasional customs inspections at the border line may occur. EU clients should be still aware of export limits for alcohol and tobacco.

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• Drugs
• Guns
• New items in HHG shipments
• Food over 5 kg
• Export of antiques, such as carpets, paintings, books, icons or any other items which is considered to be of cultural and historical value

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Cars must be de-registered at the police station prior to export. For export customs clearance of a vehicle, the following documents are needed:

• Vehicle registration sign-off
• Certificate of Title and technical book of the car
• Purchase contract or invoice
• Customs documents received when imported
• Owner’s passport copy
• Personal declaration
• Power of Attorney

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When exporting antique and other art goods, it is necessary to have a certificate stating that they are not part of the national cultural heritage.
When exporting such items from the Czech Republic, the client has to prove that the goods were imported into the Czech Republic, by presenting the original customs documents. If items being exported haven’t been registered upon arrival or they are bought in Czech, export permit from the Czech National Gallery or Museum needs to be presented.
Items purchased in the Czech Republic with a manufacturing date before 1945 will also be in need of export permit from the Czech National Gallery.

Notes
It takes about 21 days to obtain an export permit. Export of antiques, such as carpets, paintings, books, icons or any other items which is considered to be of cultural and historical value is prohibited.

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Rifles
In case of export of a weapon client must de-register it at the same police office where it has been registered upon arrival to the country.

Stuffed animals
For export of stuffed heads and skins of animals there are no special document requirements for customs clearance. On exports the shipper has to check the import requirements first with the embassy of destination country. Once it is known which import documents are required, local or state veterinary in Czech will issue and/or stamp forms and permits required for import.

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The allowance limit for export of wine, spirits and tobacco for personal consumption is:

• Wine: 90 litres
• Spirits: 10 litres
• Beers: 110 litres
• Cigarettes: 800 cigarettes
• Tobacco: 1 kilogram

Notes
Before exporting any alcohol or tobacco product, please always check the import regulations at destination as this might reduce the quantity which can be sent in the shipment.
If the quantity you wish to export exceeds the limits advised above, the shipment will be automatically considered as a commercial cargo consignment and needs to be handled separately from the HHG part.

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