Country Guides
Gibraltar
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Household Goods
Documents
Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.
- Copy of passport
- Packing list / detailed inventory
- Bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
- Customs declaration (under Section 21 of the Imports & Exports Act 1986, any person importing goods must make a declaration to customs)
- Proof of residency or employment in Gibraltar (as applicable)
Specific Information
No VAT in Gibraltar. Gibraltar is excluded from the EU Customs Union and there is no VAT. This is one of the territory's most distinctive features. However, goods imported into Gibraltar are subject to import duty at varying rates, with some exemptions.
Food, alcohol, and tobacco: These attract fixed duty rates regardless of value, not ad valorem rates. Alcohol and tobacco will always attract duty.
Customs declaration required: Under Section 21 of the Imports & Exports Act 1986, any person (or company) importing any goods, or their authorized agent, must make a declaration to customs.
Currency: Gibraltar pound (GIP), at parity with the British pound sterling (GBP). British pounds are accepted everywhere; Gibraltar pounds are not always accepted in the UK.
Language: English is the official language.
Size constraints: Gibraltar is only 6.7 square kilometers. Storage space is extremely limited and expensive. Shipments should be as compact as possible, and the destination agent should be consulted on logistics well in advance.
Duties & Taxes
Import duty on household goods: Used household goods and personal effects imported as part of a transfer of residence are generally subject to import duty based on the Import Duty (Integrated Tariff) Regulations. Specific exemptions or reduced rates may apply depending on the nature of the goods. Contact the destination agent or HM Customs Gibraltar for current applicable rates and any transfer-of-residence relief.
Prohibited & Restricted Items
Prohibited Items
- Drugs and narcotics
- Guns, explosives, and ammunition (without authorization)
- Knives and other offensive weapons (including flick knives)
- Counterfeit money and goods
- Pornographic and indecent or obscene material
- Live animals without proper documentation and permits
- Cigarettes and tobacco in commercial quantities
- Raw and worked ivory
- Fireworks (restricted)
- Protected species products (CITES)
Restricted / Dutiable Items
Traveller allowances (persons aged 17+, not in Gibraltar for at least 24 hours, not more than once per calendar month):
Per HM Customs Gibraltar:
- 200 cigarettes OR 50 cigars OR 100 cigarillos OR 200 grams of smoking tobacco
- 1 litre of spirits/liqueurs OR 2 litres of fortified/sparkling wines
- 2 litres of still wines
- 50 grams of perfume
- 0.25 litres of toilet water
- GBP 32 worth of other goods including gifts and souvenirs (per the official government site; other sources cite higher figures, possibly reflecting different entry categories)
Frequent entrants: Persons who regularly enter or return to Gibraltar (defined as more than once in any calendar month) are NOT entitled to duty-free importation.
Caravans: May only be imported with a license previously obtained from the office of the Collector of Customs.
Fast motor launches and rigid inflatable boats (6 metres or more): Restricted items requiring customs clearance.
Importing a Used Personal Vehicle
Required Documents
- Vehicle registration documents
- Proof of ownership
- Certificate of motor insurance valid for Gibraltar (no motor insurance facilities are available at entry points)
- Current driving licence
- Green card valid for any EU country, or UK Certificate of Motor Insurance, or Certificate of Motor Insurance issued in accordance with Gibraltar law
- Customs declaration
Specific Information
Vehicle import duty: Private motor vehicles attract import duty at rates ranging from 2% to 35% of value, depending on the type and size of engine and whether it is a private or dealer importation. This is a significant range; larger luxury vehicles will be at the higher end.
Temporary import for visitors: A non-resident visitor may import their car without payment of duty, provided they intend to stay temporarily, the car is for their personal use, and they will take it with them when they leave.
Insurance required at entry: Drivers entering Gibraltar must have valid motor insurance. No insurance facilities are available at the entry points, so this must be arranged before arrival.
Driving: Driving is on the RIGHT-hand side of the road (unlike the UK).
Practical considerations: Gibraltar's road network is extremely limited. Parking is scarce and expensive. Many residents do not own cars. The destination agent should advise clients on whether importing a vehicle is practical given their specific housing situation.
Pets
- ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip **From EU Member States or Part 1/Part 2 listed countries:**
- Current rabies vaccination (administered at least 21 days before travel for primary vaccination) **From EU Member States or Part 1/Part 2 listed countries:**
- EU Health Certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origin country **From EU Member States or Part 1/Part 2 listed countries:**
- ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip **From unlisted (non-EU, non-listed) countries:**
- Current rabies vaccination **From unlisted (non-EU, non-listed) countries:**
- Rabies titer (serology) test administered at least 30 days after vaccination, at an EU-approved laboratory, with a 3-month waiting period from the date of blood draw before entry **From unlisted (non-EU, non-listed) countries:**
- EU Health Certificate **From unlisted (non-EU, non-listed) countries:**
Per PetTravel.com (February 2026) and VisaHQ:
Gibraltar follows EU pet travel regulations despite not being an EU member state. The requirements depend on the country of origin classification:
EU pet regulations apply. Despite Gibraltar being a British Overseas Territory outside the EU, it follows EU pet travel regulations. As of 21 April 2026, these are governed by Regulation (EU) 2016/429 (Animal Health Law), which replaces Regulation (EU) No 576/2013. Old-format health certificates issued under Reg. 576/2013 remain valid until 31 March 2027 if issued before 1 October 2026. The country classification system (Part 1, Part 2, unlisted) continues to determine requirements.
Microchip required: ISO 11784/11785 compliant, non-encrypted, 15-digit microchip. Must be implanted before the first rabies vaccination.
No quarantine for pets meeting all requirements. Non-compliant pets may be quarantined, returned, or euthanized.
Titer test from unlisted countries: Pets from unlisted countries must have a rabies titer test with a 3-month waiting period. The test is valid for the life of the pet if rabies vaccinations are kept current (never allowed to lapse).
Parasite treatments: Proof of parasite treatments is not specifically required for Gibraltar entry, but PetTravel.com recommends them.
No CDC concern: Gibraltar is NOT on the U.S. CDC's list of high-risk countries for dog rabies.
Common mistakes: Not understanding that Gibraltar follows EU pet rules despite being a British Overseas Territory. Arriving from an unlisted country without the titer test and 3-month wait. Not having valid motor insurance when entering with a vehicle (no insurance is available at the border).
Consignment Instructions
Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import.
Access and logistics: Gibraltar is accessible by sea (Gibraltar port), by air (Gibraltar International Airport, with a very short runway), and overland from Spain via the land border at La Linea de la Concepcion. Most household goods shipments arrive by road from Spain or by sea. The land border with Spain can experience delays, particularly during peak periods or political tensions.
Space constraints: Gibraltar is one of the most densely populated territories in the world. Storage facilities are extremely limited. Shipments should be scheduled to arrive as close to the move-in date as possible to minimize storage costs.
Post-Brexit considerations: Following the UK's exit from the EU, Gibraltar's customs and border arrangements have been subject to ongoing negotiations. Movers should confirm current border procedures with the destination agent, as these may change.
HM Customs contact: Entry Processing Unit, British Lines Road, Gibraltar. Telephone: +350 20078879. Email: hmcustoms.admin@hmcustoms.gov.gi.
Cultural & Other Information
- OpenFactBook (replaces CIA World Factbook): Gibraltar -- verified 200
- Wikipedia: Gibraltar -- verified 403 to bots, works in browser
- Government of Gibraltar: gibraltar.gov.gi -- verified 200
- HM Customs Gibraltar: hmcustoms.gov.gi -- verified 200
- Gibraltar Office of Fair Trading (includes HM Customs info): oft.gov.gi
Key country facts: Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, sharing a land border with Spain. The capital is Gibraltar (the territory and its single urban area share the same name). The official language is English, with Spanish widely spoken. The currency is the Gibraltar pound (GIP), at parity with GBP. Gibraltar is outside the EU Customs Union (and always was, even before Brexit). There is no VAT. Import duty applies at varying rates. The economy relies on financial services, online gaming, shipping services, and tourism. The territory is 6.7 square kilometers with a population of approximately 34,000. Driving is on the right-hand side (unlike the UK).
Important notes for movers: Gibraltar's small size is the dominant logistical factor. Storage is expensive and scarce, timing of delivery is critical, and vehicle imports should be carefully considered given the territory's limited road network. The absence of VAT is a significant financial advantage, but import duties still apply to most goods. The customs regime is governed by its own Imports & Exports Act 1986 and associated regulations, not by EU or UK customs rules directly, though it follows EU pet travel regulations. The ongoing post-Brexit negotiations regarding the Spain-Gibraltar border may affect shipping logistics; always confirm current arrangements with the destination agent. Vehicle duty rates range widely (2-35%), so the specific vehicle details matter significantly for cost estimation.
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