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Household goods (personal effects) are items intended for personal use by people moving or to meet the needs of their households. Examples of household goods include furniture, electrical appliances, and vehicles.
The rules for transporting household goods and the possibility of customs duty exemption depend on the country from which the move is taking place. To benefit from customs duty exemption, you must declare the goods to the customs authorities and meet certain conditions, such as having owned and used the goods for at least 6 months before the move.
Household Goods
Have you ever wondered how complicated it might be to move your belongings from your previous residence to Poland? If you are planning a move to Poland, you are probably already thinking about all the things you need to transport.
This can be challenging, especially if you are not familiar with customs regulations. In fact, a lack of knowledge of procedures can lead to serious consequences, such as the obligation to pay import duties and even fines.
But don’t worry, we are here to help you understand everything and go through this process smoothly.
Lack of Knowledge of Customs Regulations
Moving to a new country is already a stressful undertaking. Adding the lack of knowledge of customs regulations regarding household goods makes the situation even more complicated. Without the right knowledge, you can easily encounter difficulties such as additional fees and delays in the delivery of your items.
What Are the Customs Procedures?
Fortunately, there are clear procedures that can protect you from these problems. First of all, you need to understand the requirements for household goods.
In our guide, we will detail the steps you need to take to avoid paying customs duties and what to do to ensure your items pass through customs without any issues. This will make your move to Poland much less stressful.
Want to learn more about how to avoid customs issues and enjoy a hassle-free move? Read on, and we’ll share all the necessary information and tips with you!
What Are Household Goods?
Moving to a new country can be complicated, especially when it comes to transporting your personal belongings. But what exactly does the term “household goods” mean? It includes all the items you own and transport from your previous residence to the new country for your personal use.
Items that can undoubtedly be considered household goods:
- Furniture and Home Equipment: Sofas, tables, beds, chairs, and other furniture used in your daily life.
- Electronic Devices: TVs, computers, audio equipment, and household appliances that are part of your home setup.
- Personal Items: Clothes, books, souvenirs, and other items of personal significance.
- Vehicles: Cars, motorcycles, camper trailers.
To qualify for customs duty exemption, certain conditions must be met. Firstly, the items must be intended for personal use and not for sale or commercial activity.
Moreover, you must prove that these items were in your possession and used by you at your previous residence for a specified period before the move.
Benefits of Household Goods Exemption from Customs Duties
The benefits of having household goods exempt from customs duties are significant. Here are some key points:
- Cost Savings: You avoid additional customs duties, which can significantly reduce the cost of moving.
- Smooth Customs Clearance: Understanding procedures and correctly declaring household goods help in a quick and hassle-free customs clearance.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing that your items will arrive safely and without additional costs gives a great sense of comfort.
Our experience shows that proper preparation and understanding of customs regulations can significantly ease the entire moving process. Contact us for more information on household goods regulations and to learn how we can help with your move to Poland.
How to Avoid Paying Tax on Household Goods?
To benefit from customs duty exemption, you must submit a customs declaration for the release of goods for free circulation with the appropriate customs office or customs-tax office in Poland.
The decision to exempt goods from customs duties is made by the customs authority, which is presented with the goods along with the required documents. The authority considers the actual situation and legal regulations applicable to the specific case.
Conditions for Customs Duty Exemption
Customs duty exemption applies only to personal effects that meet the following conditions:
- Ownership and Use: These items must have been owned and used by the person concerned in their previous residence for at least 6 months before leaving the third country.
- Residence: The person must have resided in the third country for at least 12 months. It is important that the residence was permanent and not just temporary.
- Purpose: Personal effects in the new residence must be for the personal use of the interested parties in the same way as previously used.
How to Prove the Period of Use?
To prove the required minimum 6-month usage period of the imported items, you can present, for example, a purchase receipt from the relevant period. For vehicles, an appropriate document may be the registration certificate issued in the name of the person changing residence at least six months before the move.
If we lived outside the EU, we must prove 12 months of continuous residence in the given country to benefit from household goods exemption.
How to Prove a Year of Residence Outside the EU?
To prove a continuous minimum 12-month residence outside the EU, you must have reliable documents, which may include:
- Employment Contract: Concluded for a period of at least 12 months.
- Rental Agreement: For a minimum period of 12 months.
- Tax Office Certificate: Confirming the payment of taxes for at least 12 months.
- Bills: Bills for electricity, gas, internet, or other services paid for a minimum of 12 months.
Careful preparation of the appropriate documentation and understanding customs requirements are crucial for benefiting from customs duty exemption. If you need help or additional information, contact us, and we will assist you in going through this process smoothly.
How Often Can You Move with Household Goods?
Although the regulations do not specify a quantitative limit for the import of household goods, there is a time limit. These items can be imported within a maximum of 12 months from the time of establishing residence in Poland.
Importing Household Goods at Different Times
You can import your household goods in different batches, but you must do so within 12 months from the time of establishing a new residence in Poland or within the EU. Adhering to this deadline is crucial to benefit from customs duty exemption.
Remember to plan your moves in advance and ensure that all necessary formalities are completed within the designated time.
Customs Procedure – How to Handle It?
For personal effects imported to Poland by individuals changing their residence from countries outside the European Union to benefit from customs duty exemption, they must be declared to the customs authorities in Poland for release for free circulation.
Generally, the application for customs duty exemption is submitted when making the customs declaration. The final decision on the application of the exemption is made by the customs authority that receives the declaration.
It is worth noting that personal effects imported from third countries (including vehicles) can only move within the EU under customs supervision within the framework of the transit procedure.
Key Steps:
- Transit Declaration: You must submit a declaration to the EU transit system NCTS. This declaration is accepted only in electronic form, in accordance with EU customs regulations.
- Financial Security: You must provide a security deposit in the amount equivalent to the customs and tax liabilities related to the goods.
Required Documentation for Customs Declaration:
To declare personal effects for release for free circulation, including an application for customs duty exemption, you must attach:
- A list of imported items, indicating the quantity and value, prepared in two copies.
If this still sounds confusing, like reading Mickiewicz’s “Dziady” – contact us 🙂
We will provide you with contact details for a customs agency that handles this topic expertly.
Car as Household Goods – Complete Information
Are you planning a move to Poland and wondering how to transport your car as household goods? It is important to understand the rules for customs duty exemption to avoid unnecessary complications. Here is complete information to help you transport your vehicle smoothly.
Rules for Customs Duty Exemption
To benefit from customs duty exemption when transporting a car, you must meet certain conditions:
- Ownership and Use of the Vehicle: The car must have been in your possession and used for at least 6 months before the move.
- Residence: You must prove that you have lived outside the European Union for at least 12 months before moving to Poland.
- Purpose: The car must be intended for your own use in the new place of residence and not for sale.
Key Steps:
- Vehicle Documentation:
- Registration certificate issued in your name at least 6 months before the move.
- Documents confirming your residence abroad for the required period (e.g., employment contract, utility bills).
- Customs Declaration:
- Submit a customs declaration to the appropriate customs-tax office in Poland.
- Attach an application for customs duty exemption and a list of imported items, including the car.
- Submission of Declaration:
- Submit the declaration to the EU transit system NCTS in electronic form.
- Provide a security deposit in the amount equivalent to the customs and tax liabilities related to the vehicle.
Vehicle Registration in Poland
Keep the original customs documents, as you will need them to register the vehicle.
What Items Are Not Exempt from Customs Duties?
Customs duties must be paid on alcohol, tobacco products, means of transport used for business activities, and goods sold as part of a business activity.