Czech Republic (Czechia)

Specific Information

Intra-EU moves: No customs procedures. Goods moving from another EU member state to the Czech Republic are not subject to import duty, VAT, or inspection. The Czech Republic joined the EU on May 1, 2004 and the Schengen Area on December 21, 2007.

Digital customs portal (2026 update): Czechia launched a fully digital immigration and customs portal in early 2026. Move managers should ensure inventory and declarations are uploaded correctly to this system to prevent border delays.

ISPM 15: As an EU member state, the Czech Republic requires all solid wood packing materials from non-EU origins to comply with ISPM 15, bearing the IPPC mark with registration and treatment codes.

Currency: Czech koruna (CZK). The Czech Republic has not adopted the euro. Cash amounts of EUR 10,000 or equivalent must be declared when entering or leaving the EU.

Landlocked country: The Czech Republic has no seaport. Sea freight shipments arrive via ports in Germany (Hamburg, Bremerhaven), Poland (Gdynia), or the Netherlands (Rotterdam) and are transported by road or rail to the Czech Republic. This affects transit times and may involve customs clearance at the EU port of entry.

Duties & Taxes

Duty-free conditions (non-EU origin): Personal effects and household goods may be imported free of customs duty and VAT provided the shipper has lived outside the EU continuously for more than 12 months, the goods were in use by the shipper for at least 6 months before departure from the country of prior residence, and the goods are intended for personal use only (not commercial). This relief is granted under EU Council Regulation (EC) No 1186/2009.

New items (non-EU origin): Items owned and used for less than 6 months are considered new and are subject to customs duty and VAT (currently 21%). New items must be declared separately.

VAT rate: The standard Czech VAT rate is 21%.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

Importing a Used Personal Vehicle

Required Documents

• Passport or Czech residence card
• Vehicle title/registration certificate from the country of origin (if not in Czech, an official translation may be required)
• Purchase invoice
• Vehicle operations manual/technical specifications
• Original OBL or AWB (if shipped)
• Certificate of Conformity (COC) for new vehicles or to simplify the STK process
• Customs declaration and proof of purchase (for non-EU imports)
• Valid insurance (Green Card / zelená karta)
• Packing list/inventory list

Specific Information

Technical inspection (STK): All imported vehicles must pass a Czech technical inspection (Stanice Technické Kontroly, STK). For non-EU imports, this is an import technical inspection (Dovozová STK), which is more detailed than a standard periodic inspection. It covers roadworthiness, emissions compliance, headlights, exhaust system, and dashboard. The STK certificate cannot be older than 30 days at the time of registration. Cost is approximately CZK 3,000-5,000.

EU-origin vehicles with valid inspection: If the vehicle has a valid technical inspection from the EU country of current registration, only an evidenční kontrola (record check) may be required, which is cheaper and faster than a full STK.

Registration requirement: All owners of imported vehicles must register their vehicles at the local Municipal Office with Extended Powers (ORP) if they reside in the Czech Republic for 185 days or more. The administrative fee is CZK 800 for vehicles with 4+ wheels, CZK 500 for motorcycles over 50cc.

Emission fees (environmental levy): For vehicles of category M1 or N1 that do not meet at least the EURO 3 emission standard, additional fees apply: CZK 10,000 (EURO 0), CZK 5,000 (EURO 1), CZK 3,000 (EURO 2). These fees support vehicle recycling programs.

Duty-free import (non-EU, transfer of residence): The IAM guide states an import tax of CZK 10,000, which is not required if the owner has resided abroad for at least 12 months and has used the vehicle within the 6 months prior to importation. Per the Czech Embassy in New Delhi, vehicles imported as personal effects by persons returning from a stay abroad of over 12 months are duty-free if the vehicle was in use for at least 6 months before departure.

VAT on vehicles: Per Czech Ministry of Transport guidance, proof of VAT payment is required when registering a vehicle within 6 months of its first registration anywhere, or if the mileage is less than 6,000 km. This applies to both EU and non-EU imports.

Vehicle age: The IAM guide (2016) states vehicles must be less than 5 years old for some types and 8 years old for others. Current sources do not confirm a blanket age restriction; however, vehicles not meeting EURO 3 emission standards face additional fees. Non-EU vehicles over 5 years old may face additional scrutiny during the import STK. Confirm with the destination agent.

Temporary import: Vehicles imported temporarily (e.g., by foreign visitors) are duty-free if they will be exported within 6 months.

Registration timeline: Vehicles should be registered promptly after the STK inspection, as the STK certificate is valid for only 30 days for registration purposes. The IAM guide states that the initial STK certificate is valid for 3 months to allow time for registration; this may reflect an earlier or different rule. Confirm current validity with the destination agent.

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

Pets

• EU Pet Passport issued by an authorized veterinarian in the origin EU country **From EU member states:**
• ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip (implanted before rabies vaccination) **From EU member states:**
• Current rabies vaccination (pet must be at least 12 weeks old; 21-day wait after primary vaccination) **From EU member states:**
• ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip **From non-EU listed countries (including USA, Canada, Australia, etc.):**
• Current rabies vaccination (primary: at least 21 days before travel; booster: no waiting period if continuous coverage is documented) **From non-EU listed countries (including USA, Canada, Australia, etc.):**
• EU Health Certificate issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian (for U.S. origin) and endorsed by USDA APHIS **From non-EU listed countries (including USA, Canada, Australia, etc.):**
• The Czech Republic requires a bilingual version of the EU health certificate; request from LAIE@usda.gov **From non-EU listed countries (including USA, Canada, Australia, etc.):**
• All of the above, plus **From non-EU unlisted countries:**
• Rabies antibody titer test at an EU-approved laboratory; result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml; pet cannot travel until at least 3 months after the blood sample date **From non-EU unlisted countries:**

The Czech Republic follows standard EU pet import regulations under Regulation (EU) No 576/2013.

Microchip before vaccination rule: The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination. The veterinarian must scan the microchip before administering the vaccination. If vaccination was given before microchipping, it does not count under EU rules.

Primary vs. booster vaccination: The first rabies vaccination after microchip implantation (or after any lapse in coverage) is a "primary" vaccination, valid for only 1 year under EU rules even if a 3-year vaccine was used. A booster must be given within 12 months. Any lapse resets the process.

Minimum age: Pets must be at least 12 weeks old for rabies vaccination. After primary vaccination, there is a 21-day waiting period.

Tattoo identification: Accepted only if applied before July 3, 2011, clearly legible, and all rabies vaccinations kept current since application.

No import permit required: Pet owners entering the Czech Republic with dogs, cats, or ferrets do not need a prior import permit (accompanied pets, up to 5 animals).

Maximum 5 pets: Up to 5 pets may accompany the owner under non-commercial movement rules. More than 5 requires commercial health certificates.

No breed-specific legislation: The Czech Republic does not maintain a list of banned dog breeds at the national level.

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

Common mistakes: Vaccinating before microchip implantation. Allowing rabies coverage to lapse. Not requesting the bilingual EU health certificate specifically for the Czech Republic. Shipping more than 5 pets without commercial documentation.