Moving overseas is a thrilling experience, but it also demands extensive preparation, paperwork, and research! If you are considering or planning a move to Hungary, read on for detailed customs information and helpful tips on the necessary documents and enforced regulations for importing goods into the country.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY
When relocating to Hungary, there are
many important documents required to enter the country and establish permanent residency. When planning your international move, it is a good idea to enlist customs brokering services from your international moving company to aid you with the necessary paperwork to clear customs and successfully relocate.
When moving to Hungary, you will need:
- Visa for long period of stay in Hungary (from Hungarian Embassy)
- Passport (copy)
- Residence Permit (original) issued in Hungary in advance
- Work Permit (original) issued in Hungary in advance
- Copy of rental or purchase agreement of residence
- Letter from client's employer in Hungary or client's residence
- Inventory that's itemized, valued, dated, signed and in Hungarian--
- List brand names and serial numbers of all electronic equipment
- Photographs of any paintings or antiques
- Power of Attorney (original with two witnesses signatures and in Hungarian)
- Letter from Customer authorizing Destination Agent to clear shipment
- Declaration that shipper possessed the items longer than six months
- Statement on the transfer of shipper's normal home to Hungary and that shipper lived outside the EU for a continuous period of at least 12 months
- Evidence that shipper lived outside the EU for a continuous period of at least 12 months (utility bills in the country of origin for the previous one year period or any official document with address in the country of origin/driving license in the country of origin)
- Bank Guarantee: original, from employing firms bank
- Guarantee Letter from customer's employer stating they will pay duties if customer sells the imported items or does not export these items
- Letter from customer's employer in Hungary or client's residence
All documents must be in Hungarian.
SHIPPING REGULATIONS
If you are moving to Hungary permanently, you may import both personal effects (clothing, jewelry, toiletries) and household effects (furniture, rugs, linens, bedding, dishes, other furnishings) duty-free if:
- Goods imported into the country are exported on departure-- they may not be sold or given away
- Original Customs forms (verifying the import clearance process had been performed) are to be kept for the duration of the stay and presented to Customs at time of re-exportation
- Customer has a valid Hungarian Residence Permit
- If customer is staying beyond the expiry of the Residence Permit, an additional clearance must take place--otherwise the shipment must leave Hungary
- All required documents, including transport documents, are in Hungarian and submitted to Customs one day prior to clearance
Only temporary clearance is performed at time of arrival, final clearance can be done at residence a few months later
PROHIBITED ITEMS
In Hungary, the following items are prohibited for importation:
- Narcotics/illegal drugs
- Pornography
- Explosives
- Ammunition and weapons
- Radio transmitters and similar equipment
RESTRICTED ITEMS
Some articles require special authorization and/or the payments of duties and taxes to clear Hungarian customs. These items include, but are not limited to:
- Medicines require a doctor's written confirmation that it is necessary to the treatment of the customer
- Artwork and antiques require photographs
- Plants require a Health Certificate
- Perfume and jewelry are dutiable
- Tea, coffee, cocoa and spices are dutiable (paprika is not allowed)
- Electronics- dutiable and only one of the following are allowed:
- laptop
- home PC
- television
- VCR
- video camera
- stereo
- Two cameras are permitted--digital or film, with up to 10 rolls of film, 10 videos/DVD's, 10 LP's/CD's
- Sports gear is limited to:
- Two pairs of skis
- Two tennis rackets
- One bike
- One tent with accessories
- Alcohol is duty-free up to:
- Two liters of still wine, two liters sparkling wine or aperitifs
- 16 liters of beer
- One liter of 80 proof spirits
- Amounts exceeding these limits incur duties
- Tobacco is duty-free import up to:
- 200 cigarettes
- 100 cigarillos
- 50 cigars
- 250 grams of loose tobacco
- Amounts exceeding these limits incur duties
MOTOR VEHICLE REGULATIONS
If you are planning to ship your vehicle to Hungary, you'll need the help of experienced international vehicle shippers with sufficient knowledge of overseas automobile shipping laws and customs regulations. To import your vehicle into Hungary, it must meet these conditions:
- Vehicles must meet European technical standards
- To be import duty-free, vehicle must be equipped with a catalyzer and customer must have valid Residence Permit
- Vehicles exceeding four years old must pass an environmental inspection at owner's expense
After your vehicle clears customs, you will be issued a Hungarian Registration number and the car can be driven in all European countries.
The following documents are required to import your vehicle to Hungary:
- Original Title and Registration
- Original Commercial/Purchase Invoice
- Copies of Passport, Residence and Work Permits and driver's license
- Power of Attorney (original, in Hungarian with two witnesses' signatures)
- Liability Insurance (not offered by insurance companies for US made cars)
- Additional Bank Guarantee
- Declaration of Auto (statement attesting to make, model, & condition of vehicle; contact your Service Agent to be certain all appropriate details are included)
PETS AND ANIMAL REGULATIONS
Your pet is your most precious cargo to successfully cross Hungarian borders with your pet, the requirements are:
- Certificate of Vaccination (including rabies): dated less than 30 days prior to arrival (rabies vaccine must be done more than one month, but less than twelve months before departure)
- Health Certificate: dated less than 30 days prior to arrival, by a licensed Veterinarian attesting pet is free of disease and in good health
- Dual Language Health Certificate: not older than 10 days
- Printed history of pet's past veterinary records
- Copy of Airway Bill if pets are sent as cargo
- Pet must be micro chipped, and microchip number must be included on health or vaccination certificates
- The Veterinary Ministry of Hungary requires a minimum three-day advanced notice to set up vet clearance at customs--pets will not clear on weekends without advance notice
INTERNATIONAL MOVES
International moving is a complex venture, which is why it is crucial to hire trustworthy international movers. Before choosing any overseas moving company, be sure to ask these important questions to verify they are qualified for the job and can properly aid you in the complicated customs process. Being knowledgeable and conducting a thorough background check on any potential company will protect you from falling victim to a.
Need help finding reliable and experienced international moving companies in your area? Get started here at Movers.com by simply filling out our fast and easy free quote form and receive estimates from up to seven qualified movers in your area to safely transport your belongings to Hungary.
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