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.