Customs for Humanitarian Aid

Customs clearance of humanitarian aid: declaration, authorized recipients, duty and VAT exemption, problem cargo categories

Sections

  • What counts as humanitarian aid

    Cabinet Resolution No.332 defines eligible cargo: food, medicines, hygiene items, clothing, institutional equipment. Vehicles, alcohol, tobacco and commercial goods do not qualify.

  • Humanitarian aid declaration

    The sender files a paper declaration in the prescribed form: sender, recipient, cargo list with quantity and value. Since 2022 a simplified procedure applies — the driver submits the declaration at the border.

  • Authorized recipient

    Only recognized recipients may receive aid: charities, government bodies, hospitals, the Armed Forces, registered volunteer organizations. A private individual cannot be a recipient.

  • Duty and VAT

    Humanitarian aid is exempt from import duty and VAT when the declaration is correctly filed. A declaration error means charges are assessed as for commercial cargo.

  • Problem categories

    Medicines require registration/MOH permits for certain groups; radio-electronics (drones, thermal imagers) need an export-control permit; animal-origin foods need veterinary control.

  • Recipient reporting

    The recipient must report the distribution of aid within 90 days to the tax authority/Ministry of Social Policy. Failure to report is grounds for losing recipient status.

The most common mistake is shipping to a private individual without an authorized recipient: the cargo gets stuck at customs and duty is charged. Always route through a registered organization.

Sobre Aduana humanitaria — guía

Aduana humanitaria — guía — Despacho aduanero de ayuda humanitaria: declaración, destinatarios autorizados, exención de aranceles e IVA, categorías problemáticas.. Caridad: Herramientas para fundaciones y voluntarios. Use nuestras herramientas sin registro ni instalación de software. Todos los cálculos se realizan en su navegador — sus datos nunca se envían a un servidor.