Moving to Uruguay: how to bring your belongings (menaje) duty-free
If you settle in Uruguay, you can bring in your furniture and even your profession's tools free of import taxes. What you can bring, requirements and deadlines — with official sources.
Moving countries is enough work already; the good news is Uruguay lets you bring your household goods without paying import taxes, under a franquicia regime for those coming to settle. But there are conditions and deadlines worth knowing before you ship the container.
What you can bring
The regime covers the furniture and other household goods that furnish your home, and also the tools, machines, devices and instruments needed to practise your profession, art or trade. In other words: your home and your work tools, not merchandise to sell.
Customs — Foreigners coming to settle in the countryhttps://www.aduanas.gub.uy/innovaportal/v/22707/1/innova.front/extranjeros-que-vienen-a-radicarse-al-pais.htmlThe requirements
You must present documents to Customs: the arrival and migration-movements certificate from the National Migration Directorate, and a detailed list of the goods to bring in. For those who don't yet have residency, a guarantee is required:
Per Customs:
«Se exigirá constitución de garantía por el valor de los efectos personales de los No Residentes»
In English: A guarantee will be required for the value of non-residents' personal effects
Customs — Foreigners coming to settlehttps://www.aduanas.gub.uy/innovaportal/v/22707/1/innova.front/extranjeros-que-vienen-a-radicarse-al-pais.htmlThe deadline: when it must arrive
There's a time window for your move to reach the country:
On the deadline:
«El equipaje deberá arribar al territorio aduanero dentro de los tres meses anteriores o hasta los seis meses posteriores a la llegada del viajero.»
In English: The baggage must arrive in the customs territory within the three months before or up to six months after the traveller's arrival.
Customs — Foreigners coming to settlehttps://www.aduanas.gub.uy/innovaportal/v/22707/1/innova.front/extranjeros-que-vienen-a-radicarse-al-pais.htmlPractical tips
Prepare a clear, detailed list of goods (you'll need it visaed), keep the bill of lading (transport document), and consider hiring an international moving company or a customs broker: they know the procedure and save you mistakes. The non-residents' guarantee is returned once you obtain definitive legal residency.
gub.uy procedures — Travellers' baggage / franquiciahttps://www.gub.uy/tramites/equipaje-viajeros-gestion-franquicia-equipajeAt a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What's duty-free? | Furniture, household goods and your profession's tools |
| Documents? | Migration certificate + goods list |
| Non-resident? | A guarantee is required (returned with residency) |
| Deadline? | From 3 months before to 6 months after your arrival |
In short: when you settle in Uruguay you can bring in your household goods and work tools duty-free, with the right paperwork and within the window. Plan the shipment and verify the requirements with Customs before you move.