Customs Regulations in Venezuela

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

• Original Passport proving that the customer has been abroad for a continuous period of six months
• Customer must have a resident visa or transit visa stamped in his passport (must have one for import of household goods and one for importing of an auto)
• Work Permit
• "Certificado de Uso" (Certificate of Use) original in Spanish, obtained from the Venezuelan Consulate at origin
• Inventory in Spanish or English, consularized at origin (Do not show values!)
  • Must be detailed and identify dutiable items
  • Must state exact contents of all cartons (PBO - "packed by owner" and "miscellaneous" should be specified)
• Documentation is strongly enforced by customs officials. If one does not abide by the regulations, then high duties may result.

  Customs clearance takes approximately five to eight working days. Fines will apply when the customs entry is made later than five days after the arrival of the shipments. Documents should be sent by DHL or FedEx to arrive in Venezuela well in advance of vessel. This is important to avoid accrual of fines.
  
  
  Documentation for Diplomats

  • Valid diplomatic passport showing entry stamp
  • Original OBL or AWB
  • Diplomatic exoneration issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

• Shipments must arrive within six months of owner
• Used household goods and personal effects are duty-free provided they are used and have been in owner's possession for a continuous period of six months

DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS

• New items are dutiable � invoices required
• Only one of each type of electrical appliance allowed
• Alcoholic beverages (Import License required)
• Paper products such as paper towels, laundry, bathroom and kitchen supplies

PROHIBITED ITEMS

• All firearms and weapons (even if only ornamental) require a special license
• Ammunition
• Narcotics and drugs
• Inflammable chemical products, fungicides, fertilizers, etc.
• Pornographic materials
• Foodstuff
• New furniture
• Tobacco products
• Liquor of any amount

MOTOR VEHICLES

• Used autos are permitted duty-free provided:
• ONLY VENEZUELANS OR RETURNING RESIDENTS CAN BRING USED AUTOS INTO VENEZUELA
• TR3 and TR5 Visa bearers are not considered as residents and cannot import used autos
• Customer must have stayed abroad for at least one year prior to shipping auto
• Auto must have been owned and used by the customer for a minimum of at least 11 months in the country of origin
• Auto must be the used personal property of the owner and be registered in his name by the authorities in the country of origin
• One auto imported per customer and valued under US$20,000. If over $20,000 duties assessed approximately 35% of CIF value.
• Used auto must be one that is produced or assembled in Venezuela
• New autos are dutiable and must be imported the same year the auto was manufactured
• The auto odometer must not read more than 100 miles
• Owners of new autos being imported must be returning Venezuelan citizens or must hold a visa to reside in Venezuela
• Customer must be at least 18 years old
• Documents required:
  • Residence Visa for owner
  • Passport
  • Certificate of Ownership
  • Original commercial invoice and registration title stamped by Venezuelan Consulate in country of origin
  • Purchase Invoice (original), Title and Registration, legalized by the Venezuelan Consulate (Title must be issued in the country of origin and must have been issued at least 11 months)
  • Certificate of Use, legalized by the Venezuelan Consulate, stating vehicle has been in the Customer's possession for no less than 11 months
• Customer must be present at port with his current drivers license in order to have auto released.
• Failure to comply with any of the above will result in fines levied by port authorities or government offices payable by the Customer.
• Please request latest regulations for autos and motorcycles from the destination agent before shipping.

PETS

• Subject to quarantine
• Non-domestic pets require a Government License and Permit from the Department of Agriculture
• Documents required:
  • Proof of Inoculation
  • Health Certificate
  • Owner's Passport
  • Customs Form

OTHER INFORMATION

• Strikes and delays with customs are frequent.
• Theft is common so airfreight shipments should be sent in secure wood crates.
• A copy of the original bill of lading must reach the destination agent three working days before the arrival of the vessel so that the containers may be transferred from the docks to a private bonded warehouse for customs inspection at no extra cost to the shipper or the carrier.