A landlocked nation located between Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile and Peru, Bolivia has a diverse landscape, ranging from the majestic Andes mountains to the lowlands of the Amazon Basin. The multiethnic population of Bolivia creates a rich and diverse backdrop in the country's cuisine, arts, literature and music.
You may be relocating to Bolivia for new employment, family or a change of scenery. Whatever has brought you to move to Bolivia, you'll need to be properly prepared when entering the country through customs.
Here's what you need to know when preparing to travel to Bolivia from the United States:
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY
When you land in your new home country after making an overseas move, the first thing you should grab (other than your bag from the overhead compartment) should be these important documents to present to agents at the customs clearance checkpoint:
- Valid Passport
- Inventory (original and four copies) in Spanish without values
- Insurance Policy (original and two copies)
SHIPPING AND CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
Bringing your belongings overseas means you'll have to follow the guidelines and regulations that monitor international shipments. Before you pack up your shipment and send it to your new home, you should acquaint yourself with the shipping and customs regulations for Bolivia:
- Customer's presence is required for customs clearance
- Duty-free entry for foreign diplomats
- Bolivian diplomats returning to Bolivia are not entitled to duty-free exemptions
- Non-diplomats can import used household goods and personal effects, but they are subject to duties and taxes
PROHIBITED ITEMS
Items that may be perfectly legal in the United States may not be in your destination country. Don't make the mistake of bringing any prohibited items along with you and risk the chance that they will be confiscated or further complicate your travels. When entering Bolivia through customs, make sure you don't have any of these prohibited items:
- Illegal drugs
- Unauthorized guns, explosives and ammunition
- Knives and deadly weapons
- Unauthorized pharmaceuticals and drugs
- Unauthorized chemicals
- Food products containing noxious substances
- Plants, fruits, vegetables, and seeds containing parasites considered harmful by the Ministry of Agriculture
- Pets and animals containing diseases
- Used clothing without a sanitary certificate
- Radioactive scrap and other hazardous material
- Counterfeit money and goods
- Gambling machines
- Pornographic material
RESTRICTED ITEMS
While prohibited items are not allowed to be imported into the country through customs, restricted items may be taxed upon arrival, or require some other prior authorization or notification from a government official. Here are the items that are restricted when entering Bolivia through customs:
- Firearms and ammunition require an import license before being granted entry into the country
- All plant and meat products require a sanitary or phytosanitary certificate from The Servicio Nacional de Sanidad Agropecuaria e Inocuidad
- Transmission devices for radio and television must be authorized by the Telecommunications Office
- Pharmaceutical products must be approved under World Health Organization guidelines and registered with the Vice Ministry of Health
- Pre-Colombian artifacts, historical paintings, items of Spanish colonial architecture and history and native textiles will require permission to be legally exported out of the country
MOTOR VEHICLE REGULATIONS
Shipping a vehicle overseas can be a complicated process. With the right preparation and planning, you can make sure the process goes smoothly and your vehicle arrives safely in your new country. First, familiarize yourself with the motor vehicle regulations in Bolivia:
- Customer's presence is required at clearance
- Taxes and duties apply
- Authorization MUST be obtained prior to shipping from SGS or Inspectorate for vehicles of F.O.B. value over $12,000
- Only left-hand drive cars allowed
Documents required:
- Commercial Invoice
- Certificate of driving conditions, proving that the vehicle is in good condition
- Insurance Policy (original and two copies)
- Certificate of Origin
- Verifying Certificate (for non-diplomatic vehicle shipments)
- Description of car (make, year, model, etc.)
- Title
- Registration
PETS AND ANIMAL REGULATIONS
If you're bringing your pets with you on your overseas move, you'll have to make sure that they have all of the required vaccinations before being cleared at customs. You'll also need the required documentation and certification from a licensed animal health official prior to arriving.
Here are the guidelines for bringing your pet with you to Bolivia:
- Health Certificate and inoculation required
- Recent proof of rabies vaccination
- Importer must be present for clearance
- May be subject to payment of 32 percent duty
INTERNATIONAL MOVES
International moves are unique in the amount of preparation and planning that is required to relocate from one country to another. In addition to securing the services of an international moving company, packing your belongings and planning your moving budget, you must also consider the customs regulations in your destination country. These regulations often vary and are subject to change.
To help you prepare for your move, we've provided you with a few helpful links to learn more about the complicated international moving process: