Moving Personal Belongings to Estonia: An Essential Guide to Estonian Customs Regulations
Moving to a new country can be overwhelming. Packing your things, searching for an international mover, and making arrangements in your destination country can leave little time for other tasks like preparing for customs clearance.
However, if you’re moving to Estonia from the US, Australia or another non-EU country, meeting Estonian customs requirements is a crucial part of the moving process.
The Estonian Tax and Customs Board provides tax relief when importing personal belongings into Estonia. However, failure to meet their strict regulations and provide the required documents can result in denial of tax relief, which means you’ll end up paying VAT and important duties on your personal belongings.
Fortunately, as an experienced mover in Estonia, Adduco can help you navigate the Estonian customs process and ensure you receive full tax relief when moving your personal belongings to Estonia.
Keep reading while we outline the key requirements set by the Estonian Tax and Customs Board and explain which documents you need to ensure a smooth customs process and receive tax relief.
Importing Personal Belongings into Estonia
When importing goods into Estonia, importers typically pay 22% VAT (value-added tax) on imported goods. However, if you’re moving to Estonia from abroad, you can import your personal goods into Estonia without paying taxes or duties.
However, to receive tax relief when importing personal belongings into Estonia, it’s essential to comply with all Estonian Tax and Customs Board requirements, otherwise, you may have to pay VAT and duties on imported goods.
If you do not provide all required documents, the Estonian Tax and Customs Board will deny tax relief and impose duties and VAT based on the total declared value of your goods.
What Goods Are Exempt from VAT and Duties?
According to the Estonian Tax and Customs Board, a person moving to Estonia can import personal belongings without paying duties. Personal belongings are defined as any items a person has owned and used, and which will be used by the same person in their new place of residence. Personal belongings include:
- Household items
- Clothes
- Furnishings
- Pets
- Bicycles
- Vehicles (and their trailers).
- Pleasure craft
Additionally, tax relief does not apply to:
- Alcohol
- Tobacco and tobacco products
- Commercial vehicles
- Items needed to carry out professional or work activities
Personal belongings should not have a nature or quantity that suggests they will be used for commercial purposes. In addition, anyone moving to Estonia must consider Estonia’s list of prohibited and restricted goods.
Estonia Customs Requirements for Personal Belongings
People moving to Estonia from the US, Canada, or any other country outside of the EU due to a change of residence, marriage or temporary study in Estonia, can import their personal belongings without paying import duties. However, they must meet the following conditions:
- The person’s normal place of residence has been outside the EU for a continuous period of at least 12 months.
- Living in a third country, as well as settling in Estonia, must be proven to customs by submitting relevant documentation.
- Personal belongings must have been in the possession of the person at their former normal place of residence for a minimum of 6 months before the date on which they ceased to have their normal place of residence in the country of departure. Customs authorities may require documents proving possession or use of the property (purchase invoices, delivery notes, etc).
- Personal belongings are intended to be used for the same purposes at the new permanent residence.
Estonian Customs may also require the submission of a security deposit. The deposit is usually in the amount of import duties and VAT that would have to be paid if the tax relief is not applied.
The security deposit is refunded if the person settles to Estonia permanently within the time specified, has submitted the necessary documents and all personal belongings comply with the conditions of tax relief.
These conditions apply to new migrants moving to Estonia, as well as returning citizens. More detailed requirements for importing personal belongings can be found on the Estonian Tax and Customs Board website.
Required Customs Documentation
In addition to meeting the above requirements, a person moving to Estonia must also submit all documents requested by the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. Failure to provide even one of the following documents can result in denial of tax relief:
- Copy of passport
- Picture of Estonian ID or residency card
- Proof of residence in a country outside the EU for at least 12 months (utility bills, rental agreements, etc)
- Proof of employment in a country outside the EU and termination of that employment
- Proof of settlement in Estonia (new rental agreement, real estate purchase documents, etc)
- Proof of employment in Estonia (employment contract, business ownership documents, etc)
- POA (Power of Attorney)
- Travel documents to Estonia (plane or ferry tickets)
- Completed Additional Data Form
The Estonian Tax and Customs Board recommends applicants apply for customs duty relief well before their household goods arrive in Estonia.
Benefits of Hiring an International Moving Expert
The requirements set by the Estonian Tax and Customs Board are strict and always changing. If a person fails to provide even one document, the Tax and Customs Board will deny tax relief and impose duties and VAT based on the total declared value.
This is where the support of an experienced mover in Estonia is essential. At Adduco Moving Services, our international relocation consultant is up to date on the latest Estonian import requirements and can ensure you submit all required documentation to receive tax relief.
To make your international move a stress-free experience, the moving experts at Adduco can also:
- Coordinate with trusted partners in your departure country to pack, load, and ship your belongings.
- Determine the best shipping solution for your budget and schedule.
- Guide you through the customs process.
- Arrange storage solutions in your departure country or Estonia.
- Move your goods into your new home in Estonia.
The knowledge and experience of an expert mover in Estonia can make relocating to Estonia fast, simple, and easy. In addition, Adduco can ensure you avoid paying costly VAT and import duties.
Contact our Head of International Moving Services to plan your stress-free move to Estonia.
