Customs Rules. and Travelers

Transcription

1 Customs Rules and Travelers AUGUST 2009

2 Duty-free imports Travel gear and other luggage Travelers who reside abroad may import clothing and other travel gear which they bring into Iceland for their personal use free of duty, provided that these articles may be deemed suitable and in normal relation to the purpose of the journey, the length of stay and circumstances in general. Food Travelers may import duty-free up to 3 kg af food, including candy, not exceeding the value of ISK Alcoholic beverages and tobaccos In addition to the goods referred to above, travelers can import alcoholic beverages and tobacco products duty-free as follows: Alcohol 1 liter spirits and 1 liter wine or 3 liters wine or 1 liter spirits and 6 liters beer or 1,5 liter wine and 6 liters beer. Spirits comprise alcoholic beverages containing more than 21% alcohol; wines comprise alcoholic beverages, other than beer, containing 21% alcohol or less. Tobaccos 200 cigarettes or 250 g of other tobacco products. The minimum age for the import of alcoholic beverages to Iceland is 20 years and 18 years for tobaccos. Import restrictions and prohibitions The provisions of the regulations regarding duty-free imports by travelers neither give exemptions from import restrictions nor import prohibitions on various types of articles in accordance with law, regulations or other administrative instructions. Restricted articles Among goods, which are subject to import restrictions are the following types of products: Telephones and other communications equipment Telephonic and communication equipments, e.g. mobile telephones, line telephones, radiotelephones and miscellaneous remote controls, must bear a CE mark (approved for use in the European Economic Area) to confirm that its use does not have any radio interference and fulfils the basic conditions concerning health and safety requirements. If a traveler is in doubt of whether a communication equipment which he brings with him fulfils established requirements or an import licence is required, which e.g. can apply to cordless transmission devices like radiotelephones, he is urged to contact the Post- and Telecom Administration for further information (telephone: , website:

3 Angling gear and riding clothing Angling gear and riding clothing, which has been used outside Iceland, including gloves, boots and waders, may be brought into the country if it has been disinfected according to valid regulations. A certificate of disinfection, issued by an authorized veterinary officer, will be acceptable, if presented to customs. If such a certificate is not presented, the gear has to be disinfected at the possessors' own cost upon arrival. Used riding gear It is prohibited to import used riding gear, including saddles, bridles, halters and whips of leather to the country. Firearms and ammunition For firearms and ammunition, which a traveler brings in for own use, a permit is required from the police authorities. A person holding an European firearms permit who intends to engage in hunting or to practice sports shooting in Iceland may however import the firearms specified in such a permit to the country without a special permit from the Chief of Police, if his stay does not exceed three months and provided such firearms are permitted in this country. He is also authorized to import suitable quantity of ammunition for the firearms he brings with him. Live animals Live animals may be imported only with a permit from the Ministry of Agriculture. Medicines Travelers may import conventional medicines suitable for personal needs during their stay in Iceland. There is a criterion: the medicines may not exceed 100 days consumption. Customs officers can request a doctor s certificate if appropriate. Flowers and other plants A phytosanitary certificate issued by the relevant authorities in the country of cultivation, endorsed by the Icelandic Agricultural Research Institute, is generally required. Without a certificate a traveler may bring with him a bunch of flowers (up to 25 plants), bulbs, tubers and tuberous roots from Europe in unbroken packaging (up to 2 kg) and pot-plants from Europe (up to 3 pieces). Prohibited articles Among articles, which are prohibited from importation, are the following types of products: Narcotics and dangerous drugs. Uncooked meat and various meat products, e.g. dried meat, uncooked smoked ham, bacon, saddle of pork, smoked uncooked sausages (e.g. salami), uncooked poultry etc. Meat and meat products have to be fully cooked in order to be allowed into the country. Uncooked milk and uncooked eggs. Various weapons, e.g. daggers with blades exceeding 12 cm, switchblade knives and flick stilettos, knuckles and various truncheons, crossbows and handcuffs.

4 Finely powdered snuff. Moist snuff to be used orally, also available in bags. If a traveler suspects that the importation of any item he is bringing to Iceland might be restricted or prohibited, he should declare and produce it to customs at his own initiative. General conditions of duty-free admission Customs exemptions apply to goods which the traveler concerned has in his possession upon arrival to Iceland and is able to produce to customs for examination. Duty-free importation may also be permitted for unaccompanied baggage if the traveler is able to prove that the baggage would have qualified for duty-free admission if he had brought it with him. The goods must solely be intended for the personal use of the person concerned, his family or as gifts. Goods intended for sale or other commercial purposes may not be imported free of duty. On leaving Iceland travelers must take along the articles they imported duty-free in so far as they have not been expended in the country. Customs clearance A traveler arriving in Iceland from abroad shall voluntarily declare to a customs officer and produce to him all goods in his possession which he cannot import duty free or are subject to import restrictions or prohibitions. If there are red and green channels where the customs clearance of travelers takes place, travelers are expected to choose channels and by doing so indicate whether they are carrying goods which can be freely imported or not. The red channel The red channel is for those who have in their possession: dutiable goods or goods which are subject to import restrictions. The green channel The green channel is for those who have nothing to declare. If in doubt as to the rules of customs privileges for travelers, import restrictions etc., it is advisable to choose the red channel. Customs officers can always request to examine those going through the green channel. The same applies in general at customs examination places that do not have separate customs clearance facilities. These persons must render all relevant assistance, e.g. by opening suitcases and containers, empty their content and to give such information about the luggage as may be requested. If such an inspection reveals goods, which have not been declared in accordance with above instructions, the person in question may be liable to legal proceedings.

5 Vehicles Special regulations apply concerning the temporary duty-free importation of motor vehicles, cf. a special folder for further information. Currency Travelers, who carry the equivalent to EUR or more in cash, travelers cheques or bearer negotiable instruments upon departure or arrival in Iceland, are obliged to declare it to the customs authorities in Iceland at the point of departure or arrival. Value added tax refund Tourists who reside abroad can claim a proportional VAT refund when shopping in Iceland. The refund is limited to purchases that are intended to be taken out of the country and amount to a minimum of ISK 4000 (including VAT), made at a single point of sale. The store personnel will fill out the necessary Tax Refund Cheque. The cheque and the purchased goods must be produced and made available for inspection upon departure no later than 3 months after purchase. When departing from Keflavik Airport the Tax Refund Cheque can be cashed in the currency of choice. Other departure points usually offer mail-refund services. Natural objects The Nature Conservation Act is intended to ensure the protection of the diversity of habitats and landscapes, flora and fauna. In the Icelandic flora there are now 31 protected species of higher plants and it is forbidden to collect specimens of these species or damage them in any way. According to a legislation concerning bird-hunting and bird protection in Iceland, the export of birds, birds' eggs, eggshells and nests is strictly prohibited. Law protects all stalactites and stalagmites in caves throughout the country and it is forbidden to break or damage these in any way. Objects of historical or archaeological interest may not be taken out of the country without special permission from the Icelandic Museum of Natural History. The Directorate of Customs encourages visitors to Iceland to respect and understand that nature is an important, but delicate, resource of permanent value. Dissent on customs treatment When a traveler considers that a decision by the customs concerning chargeability, the amount of import charges or factors on which the determination of import charges was based, is incorrect, he can request in writing a ruling by the Directorate of Customs on the matter in dispute. If he is not satisfied with the ruling, he may appeal the ruling to the State Customs Board which is an independent ruling body in such disputes.

6 DIRECTORATE OF CUSTOMS, Tryggvagata 19, 101 Reykjavík phone: (+354) , fax: (+354) , website: Further information This folder contains only a short description of the Icelandic regulations regarding duty-free importation by tourists. Any further information may be obtained from the Directorate of Customs. upplysingar@tollur.is Akureyri, phone: (+354) , fax: (+354) Eskifjörður, phone: (+354) , fax: (+354) Ísafjörður, phone: (+354) , fax: (+354) Keflavíkurflugvöllur, phone: (+354) , fax: (+354) Reykjavík, phone: (+354) , fax: (+354) Selfoss, phone: (+354) , fax: (+354) Seyðisfjörður, phone: (+354) , fax: (+354) Vestmannaeyjar, phone: (+354) , fax: (+354)