Croatia

Specific Information

Import timeline: Goods may be imported within 12 months from the date of the move, at once or on several occasions. The deadline may be extended for justified reasons such as political situations or natural disasters.

Pre-arrival import: Natural persons who intend to move to Croatia can also qualify for duty and VAT exemption, but they must physically move within 6 months from the day of customs clearance.

Prohibition of alienation: Imported household goods under customs duty exemption are under customs supervision and cannot be sold, lent, pawned, rented, or used for another purpose within 12 months of import, without prior notification of the competent customs office and payment of customs duties and VAT. The SDC source states 24 months; the official gov.hr source states 12 months. The gov.hr figure is used as the authoritative source.

Items qualifying as household goods: Furniture, household appliances, electrical appliances, works of art, hobby tools, smaller agricultural tools and devices, personal vehicles (cars), trailers, mobile homes, vessels, pets, riding animals, and reasonable quantities of consumables (approximately one month's supply of food). Goods must be intended for household or leisure use, not for professional business activities.

EORI number: Required for all importers, including returning citizens.

Exercising the exemption multiple times: The right to customs duty exemption can be exercised again if you return to a foreign country and then return to Croatia, provided all conditions are met again. There is no one-time limit.

Duties & Taxes

Duty-free conditions (from non-EU countries): Personal property is exempt from customs duties and VAT if the following conditions are met: the beneficiary has spent a minimum of 12 consecutive months in a third country before moving; the items were owned and used in their household for a minimum of 6 months before the day of the move; the property is intended for the same household or leisure purpose in Croatia. The owner must arrive in Croatia prior to or at the time of shipment arrival.

Duties if not qualifying: Approximately 35-45% of the total value apply if the owner does not qualify for duty and tax-free import.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

Importing a Used Personal Vehicle

Required Documents

• Original vehicle documentation (title/registration), in English and Croatian
• Invoice or pro-forma invoice with the vehicle value
• Technical data (chassis number, weight, power, etc.)
• Green card (insurance)
• Driver's license
• Proof of ownership by the owner for at least 6 months
• Diplomatic protocol, if applicable
• Letter of Indemnity (LOI): the owner must provide a signed statement confirming the fuel tank is empty and the battery has been disconnected

Specific Information

From EU member states: A tax declaration must be filed for calculation and payment of the special tax on motor vehicles, even though the vehicle is being moved within the EU. Vehicle homologation (approval procedure through the State Office for Metrology, pisarnica@dzm.hr) must be completed before first registration of any vehicle in Croatia.

From non-EU countries: A person with a temporary stay permit or permanent residence in Croatia may import a used vehicle for a period of 12 months from the date following import. New cars can be registered to persons with a Croatian residence permit.

Vehicle age limit: Cars must not be older than 7 years for import into Croatia (per IAM guide, 2018). Confirm current age limits with the destination agent, as this may have been revised under EU harmonization.

Duty-free import: Vehicles can only be imported duty and tax-free with a diplomatic protocol issued by the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Without a protocol, temporary import is possible but a fee will be charged.

Temporary import without clearance: Possible if the vehicle will stay in Croatia for no more than 6 months. After 6 months, the vehicle must be exported and will not be allowed back into Croatia until a total of 12 months from the original import date.

Special tax on motor vehicles and end-of-life vehicle management fee: Both apply to all motor vehicle imports (whether from EU or non-EU countries). Consult the Croatian Customs Administration for current rates and the online estimate calculator.

Pets

• Veterinary health certificate (issued by a government vet at origin no more than 10 days prior to arrival)
• Vaccination record
• EU pet passport (if applicable)
• Microchip or tattoo number
• Pro-forma invoice
• Copy of owner's passport
• RNATT (rabies antibody neutralizing test), if applicable
• Import permit from Croatian Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Development (not required for dogs and cats, but required for some birds, such as parrots)

EU pet travel scheme: As an EU and Schengen member, Croatia follows EU pet travel regulations. Pets traveling from other EU member states with an EU pet passport, valid microchip, and up-to-date rabies vaccination can enter Croatia without additional documentation.

Border crossings: All species of animals (dogs, cats, birds, etc.) must enter across specific border crossings where veterinary health control inspections are performed.

RNATT: The rabies antibody neutralizing test may be required for pets originating from certain non-EU countries. Contact the destination agent for specifics.

Temporary import: Pets may be imported temporarily in some cases, provided the owner can supply an international vaccination certificate.

CDC rabies risk status: Croatia is not on the CDC's list of high-risk countries for dog rabies. Standard CDC requirements apply for dogs returning to the United States from Croatia.