Customs Regulations

Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

• Passport
• Original bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB) (a bank endorsement is required for commercial shipments)
• Detailed inventory
• Work permit
• Letter of guarantee
• Tax card (commercial shipments)
• Import license (commercial shipments)
• Sales tax certificate (commercial shipments)
• Customs deal card (commercial shipments)
• Bank form 11 (commercial shipments)
• Invoice (bank endorsement is required) (commercial shipments)
• Receipt for expenses from bank (commercial shipments)
• Certificate of origin, legalized (commercial shipments)
• Radiation certificate (commercial shipments)

Specific Information

• Diplomats, embassy personnel and persons with a bank letter of guarantee may import shipments duty free. 
  • The letter of guarantee must cover duties or a cash payment as determined by Customs is required.
• Letter of guarantee shipments are 100% reimbursable when the goods are re-exported.
• Commercial shipments are subject to duty payments, sales tax, and service fees.

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

• Certificate of origin
• OBL / AWB
• Certificate of manufacturing (must show date of manufacture)
• Customs deal card (for projects and companies)

Specific Information

• Only vehicles less than 4 years old may be imported.
• Diplomats and persons guaranteed by a Yemen Ministry may import vehicles duty free; otherwise, Customs duties must be paid.
• Letter of guarantees are not accepted for vehicle imports.
• Vehicles with “trip tickets” are allowed to enter only on tourist basis and for not more than 3 months. 
  • An extension may be applied for an additional 3 months.

Pets

Documents Required

• Vaccination record
• Veterinary health certificate
• Import permit from the Veterinary Office, Department of Agriculture, Yemen

Specific Information

• The import of birds (live or bird products) requires approval from the local authorities. 
  • Contact the destination agent for specific information.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

• Videotapes, cassettes, records and CDs (are subject to inspection)
• Printers and scanners (authorization by the Ministry of the Interior is required; the operation manual must accompany the item)
• Fax machines (authorization from the Ministry of Telecommunications is required)
• Books and paintings (are subject to inspection by the Ministry of Culture prior to clearance)
• Firearms (a special license is required)
• Food Products:
  • Food items are subject to inspection by the Ministry of Agriculture prior to Customs clearance.
  • Approval from the Ministry of Health and Atomic Energy is required for import.
    • If the items are shipped for commercial purposes, the following must be identified on each carton:
      • Product name and expiration
    • Manufacturing date
    • Name of the owner of the goods

Prohibited Items

• Alcohol
• Drugs and narcotics
• Pornographic materials
• Subversive literature
• Ink jet printers or work stations