International moves require a lot of planning and preparation. In addition to securing the services of an international moving company, packing your belongings and planning your moving budget, you must the customs regulations in destination country. These regulations often vary and are subject to change.
Whatever your reasons for relocating to Croatia--employment, family or just a change of scenery, 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 Croatia 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. These are essential to your travel going as smoothly as possible:
- Passport
- Residence visa
- Work permit
- Letter from employer at origin (providing proof that the customer resided abroad for at least one year prior to arrival)
- Letter from employer in Croatia (must be notarized and on company letterhead providing the length of stay, date of relocation and position within the company)
- Registration from local police station in Croatia that has jurisdiction over the area to which the customer will be relocating
- Lease/rental contract
- A signed client declaration (stating that the household goods and personal effects being imported will be retained and not sold for two years)
- Original Bill of Lading or Original Air Waybill
- Complete valued inventory (must be in either Croatian or English with a Croatian translation attached, signed by customer and detailing all items contained in the shipment)
- Authorization letter granting power of attorney to the Destination Agent to clear the shipment on behalf of the customer)
- Bank guarantee or bond
SHIPPING AND CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
Bringing your belongings overseas means you'll have to follow guidelines and regulations used to monitor international shipments. Before you pack up your shipment and send it to your new home, acquaint yourself with the shipping regulations in Croatia:
- All customers must be present in Croatia for the customs clearance process
- Used household goods and personal effects may be imported duty free provided the customer has owned and used the goods for longer than six months and that the customer has lived outside of Croatia for at least one year
- All used household goods must not be sold, lent, or disposed of otherwise for at least two years
- Customer should keep valued inventory list separate from the inventory list used for insurance purposes
PROHIBITED ITEMS
The following items are prohibited from being imported into Croatia through customs and may be seized by customs and border authorities upon arrival:
- Narcotics/illegal drugs
- Weapons, explosives and ammunition without proper permits and documentation
- Alcohol
- Pornographic materials
- Any and all animal or agricultural products, including plants, seeds, and bulbs
- Food products
- Toxic and/or radioactive materials
RESTRICTED ITEMS
Restricted items are limited to certain quantities and may require additional duties, taxes or fees before they can be cleared by customs officials. Here are the items that are restricted and dutiable by the government of Croatia:
- All works of art, antique items, rugs and jewelry must be registered upon arrival for customs clearance
- All electronics and appliances must have their serial numbers included on the valued inventory provided to the Destination Agent prior to arrival
- Guns, including hunting guns and hand guns, require a permit and must be reported to the local police department
MOTOR VEHICLE REGULATIONS
Shipping a vehicle overseas can be a complicated process. With the right preparation and planning beforehand, 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 Croatia:
- Customer must be present during the customs clearance process for all vehicles (process can take anywhere from 2-3 days)
- Vehicles more than seven years old may not be imported
- All vehicles must have been in the possession of the current owner for at least six months prior to importation
- All vehicles are subject to taxes and duties
- The following documents are required when importing a vehicle:
- Valid driver's license
- Original certificate of title and vehicle registration
- Original commercial or purchase invoice providing proof of the date and location of the vehicle's purchase
PETS AND ANIMAL REGULATIONS
Of course you'll be bringing your pets with you on your overseas move--after all, they are a part of the family. Here are the guidelines for bringing your pet with you to Croatia:
- All pets imported into Croatia are examined upon arrival at customs - quarantine is not required
- All pets require certificate of vaccination stating that the pet has received all vaccinations (including a rabies shot, at least 30 days prior to arrival)
- All pets require a health certificate (signed and dated by a veterinarian no more than 10 days before arrival)
- The following documents are required when importing your pets to Croatia:
- Passports (for both the customer and the pet)
- Certificate of Origin
- Power of Attorney
- Invoice or original purchase receipt stating the value of the pet
- Decision from the Ministry of Culture, or from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management
- Pets must be equipped with a microchip
To help you prepare for your move, we've provided you with a few links to learn more about the complicated international moving process: