Country Guide

Shipping Luggage to Portugal from South Africa

Shipping luggage and personal effects from South Africa to Portugal: baggage certificate, residence documents, timing and duty-free rules.

WhatsApp 068 058 2700

Call Johannesburg 011 972 1111

Duty-free rules

Used personal effects owned for more than six months are duty-free. You must be in Portugal before the shipment arrives, and goods imported duty-free cannot be exported again for a year.

Timing

The shipment should arrive within 90 days of you, and within 120 days of the baggage certificate (Certificado de Bagagem) being issued by the Portuguese consulate.

Documents

Passport, the Certificado de Bagagem, proof of residence, your Portuguese tax number, and a signed inventory. Appliances and electronics should show serial numbers.

Restricted

New items, alcohol beyond reasonable household amounts, tobacco and perishable food can cause duty or delays.

Checklist

Documents for Portugal

South African citizens: a copy of your ID (customs wants the ID, not the passport)

Foreign nationals: a copy of your passport

If you ship for someone else, a copy of their ID or passport as well

A signed clearing instruction for customs, which we send you to sign

A valued inventory list of what is in each piece (complete it online)

Full addresses in South Africa and at the destination on the inventory

Contact details at the destination: telephone, mobile and email

Describe what is in every bag or box: many countries reject inventories that just say 'misc' or 'packed by owner'

Your visa or residence permit, and any customs relief form Portugal requires

Two Options

Door to Airport or Door to Door

Door to airport (CFR): recommended

Includes collection, customs clearance in South Africa, airline handling in South Africa and transport to the destination airport. You clear it and collect it at the destination.
Excludes destination clearance, depot or terminal charges at the destination, storage and examination fees if stopped, and AMS filing for sea freight to the USA.

Door to door (DAP)

Available to some countries only, and much more expensive. Includes collection, delivery to your door abroad, customs clearance in South Africa and at the destination, airline handling and all transport fees.
Excludes storage and examination fees if customs stops the shipment, and AMS filing for sea freight to the USA.

Our tip: save by clearing it yourself

Door to airport is by far the cheaper option. You pay the airline handling fee at the destination, process customs yourself with your passport and the inventory, and collect your baggage at the airport. Ask us for both prices and we will tell you what the destination's customs office will ask for.

Customs rules change. We confirm the current requirements for Portugal when we quote.

Questions

Shipping Luggage to Portugal: Questions

Tap a question to open the answer. For anything else, WhatsApp us.

Do I need the baggage certificate?

Yes, it is usually issued by the Portuguese consulate before you move.

Can I send more than one shipment?

Usually only one without special permission, so plan carefully.

How long does it take?

Air takes days; sea takes several weeks into Lisbon or Leixões.

Collection

We Collect Across South Africa

More Destinations

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Sending Luggage to Portugal?

WhatsApp 068 058 2700 with the number of pieces and your destination city.