Moving from the US to Portugal: customs, papers and what you can't pack

Bringing your things in duty-free

Used household goods can come in free if you lived outside the EU for 12 months in a row and owned and used them for at least 6. The paper that proves it is a Certificado de Bagagem, issued by a Portuguese consulate before you ship. The official pages we could read don't state the deadline — ask the consulate.

The papers customs wants

• The consulate's request form
• A list of the goods
• Proof of more than a year living abroad, and that it's ending
• Sworn declarations about your residence and the goods
• Passport
• Portuguese residence permit, if you're not a citizen

Inspection and clearance

Not stated on the official pages we could read. Ask your mover and the consulate, in writing.

Don't pack these

• Food, animal and plant products, and seeds
• Firearms and ammunition
• Protected species
• Medicines only in personal amounts, with the prescription
• Cash of €10,000 or more must be declared.

Bringing a car

Apply for the vehicle tax (ISV) exemption within 12 months of moving.

Bringing a dog or cat

A 15-digit ISO microchip, put in on or before the rabies shot. Wait 21 days after a first rabies vaccine. No rabies blood test is needed coming from the US. Your vet fills in the EU health certificate (the new form in use since 1 October 2026), USDA endorses it — $101 per certificate, any number of pets — and the pet must arrive within 10 days. Five pets or fewer, traveling within 5 days of you.

No tapeworm treatment needed. Pets under 12 weeks aren't admitted.

Send the arrival notice to your entry point at least 48 hours ahead. Inspection costs €43.17 for one pet, €86.34 for two or more.

Duty and tax on everything else

Customs duty depends on what the item is — look it up by item in the EU tariff (TARIC). Import VAT is charged on top of duty.

VAT is 23% on the mainland. Carried in your luggage: €430 of goods free by air or sea.