OPERATIONAL ADVISORY: Venezuela has experienced severe economic and political instability since 2016. The country has been subject to broad U.S. and EU sanctions. The bolivar has undergone multiple redenominations, and the economy has dollarized informally. Key government websites — including SENIAT (tax authority) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — were unreachable via normal web access as of June 2026. IAM members should treat Venezuela as a high-risk origin and destination requiring close coordination with a trusted, on-the-ground destination agent before accepting any booking. Regulatory requirements, duty rates, port conditions, and exchange rates can change without notice. The information below reflects the IAM baseline (September 2016) updated where current sources could be verified.
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Guide Details
Household Goods
Documents
Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.
- Passport with recent Venezuelan immigration entry stamp
- Detailed inventory (PBO contents may be listed, unlike in many countries — see note below)
- Original bill of lading (OBL) or air waybill (AWB)
- Copy of the owner of the goods' Fiscal Information Registry (RIF — Registro de Información Fiscal) document
- Sanitation permit (required if the shipment contains alcohol or food items)
- Certificate of Use (Certificado de Uso), duly stamped by the Venezuelan Consulate at the origin country
- Letter of employment (if applicable)
- Certificate of Use obtained at the Venezuelan Consulate or Embassy in the country of origin
- Documentation demonstrating the goods have been used for at least 6 months
- Diplomatic franchise document (produced by the Embassy before Customs clearance)
- Original OBL / AWB (2 copies required)
- Detailed inventory
Specific Information
- A stamped Certificate of Use (Certificado de Uso) has been obtained from the Venezuelan Consulate at the origin country. This certificate cannot be obtained locally in Venezuela — it must be obtained before departure.
- The Customs officer is satisfied that the contents are genuinely used household goods.
If a Certificate of Use is not presented to Customs, the shipment is subject to payment of duties.
Non-Residents (Transeunte Visa): Holders of a Category 3 Transeunte Visa (for businesses, investors, students, and workers) are also eligible to obtain a Certificate of Use at a Venezuelan Consulate or Embassy in the origin country, enabling duty-free import. The household goods must have been used for at least 6 months and show visible signs of use.
Duty Rates (if applicable): Customs duties range from 5% to 20% of the CIF (cost, insurance, freight) value. An import tax of 1% of CIF value also applies. VAT at 16% is calculated on the sum of the CIF value, duties, and import tax.
RIF Requirement: The Fiscal Information Registry (RIF) document is required for both import and export shipments. The owner of the goods must hold a RIF.
Owner Must Arrive Before Shipment: Venezuelan citizens and foreigners must arrive in Venezuela before the shipment arrives at the port or airport to avoid clearance complications.
PBO Note: Unlike most countries, Venezuela permits packed-by-owner (PBO) contents to be listed on the detailed inventory. PBO descriptions should still be specific — avoid vague or generic entries.
Values on Documents: Values should not be declared on shipping documents or on the Certificate of Use stamped by the Venezuelan Consulate. Including value information can lead to higher duty assessments.
Diplomatic Shipments: The diplomatic franchise must be produced by the Embassy before Customs clearance begins. Storage and container demurrage charges may accumulate during the process of obtaining the diplomatic franchise — advise diplomatic clients of this risk.
Antiques: Documented antiques shipped separately may attract high duties. If antiques are to be included, ship them with the household goods and ensure proper documentation.
ISPM 15: All wooden crates and lift vans must bear a certification seal confirming methyl bromide (MB) or heat treatment (HT). This does not apply to paper products. Shipments arriving without certification will be returned to the country of origin.
Duties & Taxes
Duty-Free Eligibility: Importation is free of customs duties and taxes for returning Venezuelan citizens and returning foreigners holding a resident visa, provided:
Prohibited & Restricted Items
Prohibited Items
- Firearms (without authorization from the relevant Venezuelan authority) [PERMIT REQUIRED]
- Narcotics and controlled drugs
- Pornographic materials
Restricted / Dutiable Items
Cigarettes: 200 cigarettes per person (duty-free allowance for accompanied personal baggage).
Cigars: 25 cigars per person.
Perfume: 4 small bottles per person.
Alcohol: Up to 2 liters per person for air travel; up to one case per sea shipment container. A sanitation permit is required for alcohol included in a household goods shipment. Alcohol is subject to confiscation if not covered by the sanitation permit.
Importing a Used Personal Vehicle
Required Documents
- Passport **For Non-Diplomats (Returning Citizens / Residents — Used Vehicles)**
- OBL / AWB (2 copies) **For Non-Diplomats (Returning Citizens / Residents — Used Vehicles)**
- Original purchase invoice **For Non-Diplomats (Returning Citizens / Residents — Used Vehicles)**
- Original registration / title **For Non-Diplomats (Returning Citizens / Residents — Used Vehicles)**
- Original Certificate of Use, duly stamped by a Venezuelan Consulate at origin **For Non-Diplomats (Returning Citizens / Residents — Used Vehicles)**
- RIF document **For Non-Diplomats (Returning Citizens / Residents — Used Vehicles)**
- Personal sworn statement **For Non-Diplomats (Returning Citizens / Residents — Used Vehicles)**
- Application to the Customs Office requesting a temporary import permit (filed before the vehicle is shipped) **For Temporary Import Permit (New and Used Vehicles)**
- COVENIN and SENORCA permits (for vehicles of model year 2000 or newer; must be obtained in Venezuela before the vehicle's arrival) **For Temporary Import Permit (New and Used Vehicles)**
- Bond or deposit through a local insurance company (to release the vehicle from Customs under the temporary permit) **For Temporary Import Permit (New and Used Vehicles)**
- Passport **For Diplomats**
- Diplomatic franchise document **For Diplomats**
- OBL / AWB (2 copies) **For Diplomats**
- Original purchase invoice **For Diplomats**
Specific Information
Returning Citizens / Residents: Returning Venezuelan citizens and returning residents may import used cars after having lived abroad for at least 1 year and having purchased the vehicle at least 11 months before import. The vehicle must have been registered in the owner's name for at least 11 months.
Vehicle Value Determination: The Customs Office determines the customs value of the vehicle independently. The value assigned by Customs is not necessarily the value shown on the original purchase invoice. Before shipping, the owner should determine the current customs value at the Tax Office (SENIAT) in Caracas. SENIAT will assign both a present-day value and the vehicle's original new value.
No-Sale Period: A used vehicle imported duty-free by a non-diplomat cannot be sold for 3 years after import.
Temporary Import Permit: A vehicle may be shipped to Venezuela only after a temporary import permit is granted. The permit is valid for 6 months and may be extended once for an additional 6-month period, after which the vehicle must be exported.
COVENIN/SENORCA Permits: Vehicles of model year 2000 or newer imported under a temporary permit require COVENIN (standards conformity) and SENORCA permits, both of which must be obtained in Venezuela before the vehicle arrives. Without these permits, clearance will be delayed and the vehicle may be confiscated.
Duty Rates: For new vehicles valued over USD 20,000 at Customs value, duty is 35% of CIF value. VAT at 16% applies to the sum of CIF value plus duties and import tax. Motorcycles attract duty at 20% of CIF value, import tax at 1% of CIF, and VAT at 16% of CIF plus duties and taxes. Motorcycles are not eligible for duty-free import under the Certificate of Use.
Note: Given Venezuela's economic situation and the informal dollarization of the economy, exchange rate and duty calculations should be confirmed with the destination agent at the time of booking. The figures above reflect the IAM baseline; current rates and regulations should be verified locally.
Pets
Update vs. IAM Baseline: The IAM guide lists only two documents and notes specific vaccination requirements for dogs. Current requirements from PetTravel.com include a more complete vaccination protocol, a Venezuelan Consulate endorsement of the health certificate, and a clear 30-day validity window. Microchip is strongly recommended but not formally required.
- ISO 11784/11785-compliant microchip — strongly recommended; not currently mandatory but significantly assists clearance
- Rabies vaccination administered between 30 days and 12 months before entry; pet must be over 3 months of age at vaccination
- Vaccination against canine distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parvovirus (dogs); feline viral rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, and feline leukemia (cats); must be certified and sealed by an approved government veterinarian in the country of origin
- International health certificate (export health certificate) issued by a licensed veterinarian, made out in duplicate with both copies signed; must be endorsed by the Venezuelan Consulate in the origin country; valid for 30 days after issuance
- Vaccination record
No import permit is required for pets entering with their owner. No rabies titer test is required for entry. No breeds are banned from import.
Puppies and kittens must not be vaccinated for rabies before 3 months of age. They must be vaccinated after reaching 3 months and wait 30 days before travel.
Pets must enter Venezuela by air via Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía (Caracas). Advance notice to veterinary officials at the airport is required, particularly for arrivals outside normal business hours.
Pets not meeting import requirements will be quarantined, returned to the country of origin, or euthanized. All costs are the importer's responsibility.
CITES: Import of wildlife species requires CITES permits. Venezuela is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world and is a CITES signatory. [CITES]
Consignment Instructions
Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences between air and sea shipments.
Certificate of Use — Obtain at Origin. The Certificado de Uso must be obtained and stamped at the Venezuelan Consulate in the origin country before the shipment departs. It cannot be obtained in Venezuela after arrival. Without it, the shipment will be subject to full duties ranging from 5% to 20% of CIF value plus VAT.
Do Not Declare Values on Shipping Documents. Values shown on the OBL, AWB, or Certificate of Use can trigger higher duty assessments. Keep value documentation (purchase receipts, insurance documents) separate from the shipping papers.
ISPM 15 — Critical. All wooden packing materials (crates, lift vans, pallets) must have a clearly visible MB or HT certification seal. Shipments without this certification will be returned to the country of origin. Verify ISPM 15 compliance before loading.
Owner Arrival — Before Shipment. The owner of the goods must arrive in Venezuela before the shipment reaches port or airport. Coordinate travel dates carefully.
Diplomatic Franchise Lead Time. Diplomatic clients must obtain the franchise from their Embassy before Customs clearance. Storage and demurrage fees accumulate while this documentation is being prepared — inform diplomatic clients of this risk and factor it into cost estimates.
Vehicle Pre-Permits. For vehicles, the temporary import permit and COVENIN/SENORCA permits (for 2000+ model years) must be arranged before the vehicle departs origin. Shipping a vehicle without these pre-clearances leads to significant delays and possible confiscation.
Operational Risk. Venezuela's port infrastructure, Customs staffing, and regulatory stability are all significantly affected by the country's ongoing political and economic situation. Agents should maintain close contact with trusted local partners in Caracas and the port of La Guaira, and should advise clients in writing of the heightened risk of delays, unexpected costs, and procedural changes.
Cultural & Other Information
Venezuela (officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela) is located on the northern coast of South America, bordered by Colombia to the west, Brazil to the south, Guyana to the east, and the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean to the north. The capital is Caracas. Venezuela has a population of approximately 28 million (down significantly from a pre-crisis peak due to emigration); an estimated 7–8 million Venezuelans are living abroad. The official language is Spanish. Venezuela's economy has been dominated by oil revenues but has contracted severely since 2013.
The main port of entry for household goods is La Guaira (Puerto Cabello is also used). Air shipments enter through Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, near Caracas.
Currency: The bolívar digital (VED) is the official currency, but the US dollar is widely used informally for large transactions. Currency regulations have changed multiple times; confirm exchange rate requirements with the destination agent.
Sanctions: The United States and European Union have both imposed sectoral and individual sanctions on Venezuela. IAM members should review applicable OFAC (U.S.) and EU sanctions programs before entering into contracts related to Venezuela, particularly for US-origin moves. Current sanctions information is available at ofac.treasury.gov/sanctions-programs-and-country-information.
Time Zone: Venezuelan Standard Time (VET), UTC-4. Venezuela does not observe daylight saving time.
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