Shipping your life to Portugal is a big, one-off spend, and the part that causes the most worry is customs. The good news is that if you are moving your main home from outside the EU, there is a relief that lets you bring your used household goods in free of duty and VAT. The catch is the paperwork, and one document in particular. Here is how it works, and how to avoid an unexpected bill.

The relief that makes it duty-free

When you transfer your normal residence to Portugal from a country outside the EU, your used personal and household belongings can be imported free of duty and VAT. It is a real, established relief, but it comes with conditions. The main ones:

• You lived outside the EU for a continuous period of at least 12 months before the move.
• You owned and used the goods for at least 6 months before giving up your old home.
• You import them within 12 months of establishing your residence in Portugal.
• You do not sell or lend the goods for 12 months after they clear customs, without telling customs first.

Crucially, the relief is for your main home. Goods going to a second or holiday home do not qualify and are taxed.

The document everything turns on

The key to the duty-free import is the Certificate of Baggage, the Certificado de Bagagem. You apply for it at the Portuguese consulate in the country you are leaving, before you ship, and it comes with a detailed inventory of everything you are bringing. Without it, customs can charge duty and VAT on the declared value of your shipment. Start it early, because consular processing takes time, and a complete, accurate inventory is what makes the whole thing go smoothly.

If you are moving from the UK

Since Brexit, a move from the UK to Portugal is an international, third-country customs move. That means a formal UK export declaration and an EORI number, alongside the Portuguese paperwork. A good international mover or freight forwarder handles these for you, but ask them directly whether they are doing it, so nothing falls between the cracks.

Road or sea

For moves from the UK and Europe, road freight is common and quicker for smaller loads, with shared-truck options that spread the cost if you are not filling a lorry. From the United States, sea freight is the norm, with the choice between your own container and a shared one for smaller loads. Two things to watch: small shipments hit minimum charges, so a single box can cost surprisingly much, and the duty-free relief covers duty and VAT but not port handling, broker fees or storage. Get an itemised quote.

A quick word on what you cannot bring

Some items are prohibited or restricted, including alcohol in quantity, foodstuffs, weapons and a few others. Your mover will have the current list. Declare everything honestly on your inventory.

Frequently asked questions

Will I pay customs duty on my own furniture?

Not if you qualify for transfer-of-residence relief and have the Certificate of Baggage with a full inventory. Without the certificate, duty and VAT can apply to the declared value.

Do I really need the Certificate of Baggage?

For a duty-free import, yes. It is the document that evidences your relief. Apply at the Portuguese consulate before you ship.

Is it cheaper to send one small box separately?

Often not. Small shipments hit minimum charges, so a single box can cost almost as much as a part load. Get an itemised quote first.

Sources

• EU customs relief on transfer of residence (Regulation 1186/2009): taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu
• Portuguese consulate, Certificate of Baggage requirements: the consulate in your departure country
• UK export declarations and EORI: gov.uk
• FIDI customs guide for Portugal: fidi.org

General information, current as of June 2026, and not customs advice. Conditions, fees and document lists change and vary by consulate. Confirm the current requirements with the Portuguese consulate and your mover before you ship. Related reading: the Document Checklist and your first weeks in Portugal.