Moving to Yemen

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

Consignment Instructions

Recommended:  Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.

Cultural and Other Information