Curaçao

Specific Information

Residency requirement: The IAM guide (2016) states 6 months abroad; the AMC Cargo guide specifies 183 days per year at the prior residence. Both the FIDI guide and AMC Cargo confirm the 6-month possession requirement for goods.

Shipper must be present: The shipper must be personally present in Willemstad for customs clearance. The shipper must register at the citizen department within 2 weeks of arrival.

Bank guarantee/deposit: If the shipper has not yet received a residence permit at the time of arrival, a bank guarantee or deposit can be provided to allow importation pending the permit. The deposit is refundable once the exemption license is granted.

Timing: Household goods must be declared before the expiry of 6 months from the date the person transferred from their normal place of residence. In special circumstances, the Director of Customs may extend this deadline upon request, which must be submitted no later than 1 month before the expiry date.

Alienation restriction: Goods imported tax-free may not be lent, mortgaged, leased, or transferred for a period of 12 months without prior consent of the Director of Customs. The 12-month period begins on the day customs authorities accepted the exemption permit.

New goods within shipments: Any new items within the shipment will require a separate import declaration and payment of applicable import duties. Customs have the legal right to ask for evidence (purchase invoice, warranty card) that goods have been in the shipper's possession for at least 6 months.

Electronics: The inventory list must include the brand and serial number of all household and electrical appliances.

ISPM 15 (wood packaging): Wood packing material must bear the ISPM 15 mark confirming heat treatment (HT) at a minimum core temperature of 56°C for 30 minutes, or methyl bromide treatment. The mark must be legible, permanent, in black ink, on at least two opposite sides of each article. Labels and adhesives are not permitted. Exemptions apply to raw wood under 6mm thickness, processed wood (plywood, glued/pressed), agglomerated sawdust sheets, and sawdust/wooden fibre.

Currency: Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG). 1 USD = approximately 1.79 ANG.

Duties & Taxes

Duty-free conditions: Household goods are duty-free provided the shipper has been in possession of the goods for at least 6 months prior to importation and can demonstrate they will establish permanent residence in Willemstad. The exemption applies only to used personal property. "Normal household goods from residence" means goods from a place where the person resides for at least 183 days per year and where there are personal and professional bonds.

Alcohol and tobacco within shipments: The exemption does not apply to more than a normal domestic stock of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. Per the FIDI guide, 1 litre of alcohol is generally admitted free per family, but customs evaluate each case. Excess quantities will be taxed.

Import duty rates: Curaçao's import duty rates range from 0% to 70% based on the HS code of the goods. Most imported goods are also subject to a 9% Value Added Tax (BTW). Food and medicine are generally exempt from BTW.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

Importing a Used Personal Vehicle

Required Documents

• Free entry permit (exemption application) Per the FIDI guide (November 2023) and the AMC Cargo Services guide:
• Original purchase invoice Per the FIDI guide (November 2023) and the AMC Cargo Services guide:
• Certificate of registration (title) from country of origin Per the FIDI guide (November 2023) and the AMC Cargo Services guide:
• Insurance certificate showing the period the vehicle has been insured, with start and termination dates Per the FIDI guide (November 2023) and the AMC Cargo Services guide:
• Express release rated B/L or rated AWB Per the FIDI guide (November 2023) and the AMC Cargo Services guide:
• Certificate of inspection at origin Per the FIDI guide (November 2023) and the AMC Cargo Services guide:
• Completed and signed import duties exemption application form Per the FIDI guide (November 2023) and the AMC Cargo Services guide:
• Power of attorney Per the FIDI guide (November 2023) and the AMC Cargo Services guide:
• Proof of export from origin country Per the FIDI guide (November 2023) and the AMC Cargo Services guide:

Specific Information

Ownership and use requirement: The vehicle must have been in the shipper's continuous possession and use for at least 12 months prior to the shipping date. The IAM guide (2016) also states 12 months. Both sources are consistent.

One vehicle per family: The duty-free exemption is limited to one passenger vehicle per family or household.

Definition of passenger vehicle: Motor vehicles (not sport cars or hobby vehicles) on two or more wheels, including trailers, intended for non-business transportation of persons, goods, or livestock, and suitable for public road use.

Vehicles not eligible for exemption: Sport vehicles, hobby vehicles (including classic cars/"wabi's"), and vehicles constructed or adapted for commercial transport of persons and goods. These vehicles may only be imported after payment of import duties.

Other vehicles (sport cars, trailers, boats, water scooters): Require invoice, registration card, and ownership title. Subject to full payment of import duties.

Benchmark for the 12-month rule: The 12-month period is measured from the time of loading and shipping of the vehicle, not from the date of arrival.

Driving: Driving is on the RIGHT-hand side of the road.

Pets

• ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip Per the FIDI guide (November 2023), PetTravel.com, The Caribbean Pet, USDA APHIS, and CuraBon:
• Valid rabies vaccination certificate (vaccination must be administered at least 21 days and no more than 12 months prior to departure; multi-year vaccines are accepted per APHIS if registered by manufacturer for up to 36 months) Per the FIDI guide (November 2023), PetTravel.com, The Caribbean Pet, USDA APHIS, and CuraBon:
• Veterinary health certificate not older than 2 weeks, in Dutch or English Per the FIDI guide (November 2023), PetTravel.com, The Caribbean Pet, USDA APHIS, and CuraBon:
• Internal and external parasite treatment within 14 days prior to departure (with a registered veterinary product with at least 28 days persistent efficacy; product name and date must be noted on the health certificate) Per the FIDI guide (November 2023), PetTravel.com, The Caribbean Pet, USDA APHIS, and CuraBon:
• For pets from the U.S.: the health certificate must be issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS Per the FIDI guide (November 2023), PetTravel.com, The Caribbean Pet, USDA APHIS, and CuraBon:

Quarantine: No quarantine is imposed if all import regulations are met. If the pet does not conform to stated regulations, it will be subject to quarantine (if facilities are available), returned to the origination country, or euthanized, at the importer's expense. Per the FIDI guide, if the shipper arrives without the pet's health information, the pet will be vaccinated upon entry and must remain in quarantine for 30 days.

Minimum age: Puppies must be at least 15 weeks old (12 weeks for rabies vaccination plus 21 days waiting period). Cats and dogs must be over 12 weeks of age for rabies vaccination.

Rabies titer test: Per PetTravel.com, a rabies titer test is required for pets entering from some countries. The titer test must be processed at an approved laboratory, and the pet cannot enter Curaçao sooner than 3 calendar months after the blood sampling date. Confirm with the destination agent whether a titer test is required based on the country of origin.

Pit bull ban: Pit bull terriers and pit bull mixes are prohibited from entering Curaçao. Per CuraBon, this is strictly enforced.

Central and South America ban: Pets (dogs) are prohibited from entering Curaçao from Central or South American countries. Check the origin of the pet carefully before planning.

CDC rabies status: Curaçao is NOT on the U.S. CDC's list of high-risk countries for dog rabies.

Common mistakes: Not obtaining the import permit from the Veterinary Authority (UOVZ) before arrival. Failing to have a health certificate in Dutch or English. Not treating for parasites within the required 14-day window. Not noting treatment product names and dates on the health certificate. Shipping pit bull breeds or mixes to Curaçao.