Albania

Specific Information

Authorisation process: The duty exclusion authorisation must be applied for through the e-Albania portal. Once approved, the authorisation is emailed to the applicant by the General Directorate of Customs. It is typically issued with a one-month validity period, so the application should be submitted close to the expected arrival date of the goods. The authorisation must be forwarded to the destination agent for further clearance procedures. Customs has the right to request additional supporting documents or to deny the exemption.

Non-qualifying imports: If the foreign citizen cannot provide the documents listed above for the duty-free category, the alternative is to import by paying duties and taxes of approximately 38% of the declared value (proforma invoice plus freight cost).

ISPM 15 (wood packaging): Not specifically addressed in Albanian customs regulations for personal effects. ISPM 15-compliant wood packaging is recommended as Albania aligns its customs procedures with EU standards.

Resale / disposal restrictions: No specific published restriction period, but goods imported duty-free under the transfer of residence exemption should be for personal/family use only and not for commercial purposes.

VAT: Albania applies a standard VAT rate of 20% on imports. For duty-free personal effects under the transfer of residence exemption, VAT is typically waived alongside customs duty. For non-exempt imports, VAT is calculated on the CIF value plus any applicable customs duty.

Scanning fee: Customs declarations with a value exceeding €1,000 are subject to a scanning fee of €22. Declarations under €1,000 incur a €5 scanning fee.

Duties & Taxes

Duty-free conditions: Personal property imported by persons transferring their normal place of residence to Albania is admitted free of import duties, provided the goods have been in the person's possession and used at their former residence for a minimum of 6 months before the date they ceased to reside in the country of departure. Returning Albanian citizens must have resided abroad for more than 12 months to qualify. The exemption does not cover alcohol, tobacco, commercial means of transport, or articles for use in the exercise of a trade or profession (other than portable instruments of the applied or liberal arts).

Prohibited & Restricted Items

Importing a Used Personal Vehicle

Required Documents

• Circulation card (vehicle registration document)
• Title of ownership
• Original vehicle title and bill of sale or invoice
• Certificate of Conformity (COC) to European emission standards
• Technical inspection report
• Valid passport or ID card
• Proof of insurance
• Customs declaration (registration in the Asycuda World system required)
• All documents listed above, plus For duty-free import under transfer of residence:
• Proof the person has been the registered owner for at least 12 months before moving to Albania For duty-free import under transfer of residence:
• Evidence of transfer of normal residence to Albania For duty-free import under transfer of residence:

Specific Information

Prior authorisation: Vehicle import is processed through the Albanian Customs Asycuda World system. Each individual must register their Personal ID in the system prior to customs clearance.

Duty-free eligibility: Individuals transferring their normal place of residence to Albania may import one personal motor vehicle duty-free, provided the vehicle has belonged to and been registered in their name for at least 12 months before entering Albania. A customs security (bond/deposit) must be lodged, which is released after 2 years upon evidence of continued registered ownership. The vehicle may not be transferred, sold, or lent during the 2-year period without first paying the customs duties that were relieved.

Vehicle age and emission restrictions: Albania prohibits the import of used vehicles older than 10 years for private use (15 years for commercial vehicles). Vehicles must meet at least Euro 4 emission standards (used vehicles) or Euro 5/6 (new vehicles). Non-compliant vehicles will not pass technical inspection.

Duties and taxes (non-exempt imports): Customs duty on vehicles is 0%. VAT is charged at 20% on the customs value (CIF or minimum tariff value, whichever is higher). Excise tax applies depending on engine size and fuel type. A road tax certificate is issued by customs.

Technical inspection: Imported vehicles must pass Albanian technical inspection (conformity with European technical standards) before registration. US-spec vehicles may require modifications such as headlight adjustments.

Registration: Vehicles are registered through the Directory of Road Transport Service (DSHTRR), located in Tirana and Vorë. The service fee for registering a used vehicle is approximately ALL 7,500 (~€75). Licence plates are issued during registration.

Temporary admission: Non-resident visitors may bring a foreign-registered vehicle into Albania for up to 6 months within a 12-month period without paying import duty. The vehicle must have permanent registration outside Albania, cannot be used by persons other than the owner's family members, cannot be sold or have ownership transferred, and must leave the country at the end of the period. A road tax must be paid upon entry, and a certificate is issued which must be returned to customs upon departure. Failure to declare the vehicle constitutes smuggling.

Driving: Driving is on the right-hand side. Foreign driving licences are generally accepted for short stays; longer-term residents should obtain an Albanian licence.

Pets

• ISO 15-digit microchip (compliant with ISO 11784/11785), implanted before rabies vaccination From All Countries
• Current rabies vaccination certificate (administered at least 21 days before travel for pets over 12 weeks of age; must not have expired per the vaccine manufacturer's specifications) From All Countries
• Veterinary health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of travel From All Countries
• Government endorsement of the health certificate (e.g., USDA endorsement for US-origin pets, CFIA for Canadian pets) From All Countries
• Vaccination history From All Countries
• Copy of the owner's passport From All Countries
• Microchip or tattoo number documented on all paperwork From All Countries
• Letter of employment by the Albanian employing company (may be required for customs processing of pet clearance) From All Countries — From the existing IAM guide, the following additional documents are also referenced:

Identification: Pets must be identified with a 15-digit ISO 11784/11785-compliant microchip. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination is administered. If the microchip is not ISO-compliant, the owner must provide a compatible scanner.

Minimum age: Puppies and kittens may not be vaccinated for rabies until 12 weeks (3 months) of age. Unvaccinated puppies and kittens are not permitted to enter Albania. After vaccination, pets must wait 21 days before travel, making the effective minimum import age approximately 15–16 weeks.

Rabies vaccination timing: Pets must be vaccinated for rabies at least 21 days prior to entry but before the vaccine's expiration date. If the pet was vaccinated before being microchipped, it must be re-vaccinated after microchipping and then wait 21 days.

Other vaccinations: Standard vaccinations for dogs (distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus) and cats (feline viral rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, feline leukemia) are recommended but not mandatory for entry.

Rabies titer test: Albania does not require a rabies titer test for pets entering from rabies-free or rabies-controlled countries. However, pets originating from countries classified as high risk for rabies should carry a titer test, particularly if they may later be re-exported to the EU or US.

Health certificate: Must be issued within 10 days of travel by a licensed veterinarian. For US-origin pets, the bilingual health certificate for Albania must be endorsed by the USDA. An EU Pet Passport cannot be used in place of the health certificate (Albania is not an EU member state).

Import permit: An import permit is not required for personal pet dogs and cats entering Albania with their owners. Commercial imports require a permit.

Quarantine: Albania does not require quarantine for dogs, cats, or ferrets that meet the documentation requirements.

Entry method: Pets must enter Albania through Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (Rinas). Advance notice should be given to veterinary officials at the airport so they are available to inspect the pet upon landing, especially for arrivals outside normal business hours.

Veterinary inspection at arrival: All pets must be checked at the airport upon arrival by the customs veterinarian. The health check fee is approximately €50 per pet. It takes approximately 24 hours to clear a pet arriving in Albania.

Banned breeds: Albania does not officially publish a list of banned breeds according to most sources. However, one expat source indicates Albania may restrict certain breeds considered dangerous (e.g., Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans). Confirm current breed restrictions with the destination agent before shipping.

CITES: Animals other than dogs, cats, or ferrets — particularly birds, reptiles, and exotic species — may require additional permits if protected under CITES.

Tick and tapeworm treatment: Not mandatory for entry into Albania but recommended.

Common mistakes: Not having the microchip implanted before the rabies vaccination (requires re-vaccination and a new 21-day wait). Attempting to use an EU Pet Passport instead of the required health certificate. Not providing advance notice to veterinary officials at Tirana airport. Arriving with incomplete or improperly endorsed health certificates.