Customs Regulations in Uruguay

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

• Itemized inventory in Spanish, legalized by the Uruguayan Consulate at origin
• Foreigners require a resident visa issued by the Uruguayan Consulate at origin, stamped in the Customer's passport, or a Certificate of Permanent Residence granted by the Migration Office in Uruguay
  • If above documents are not provided, and Customer is not a permanent resident in Uruguay, Customer will have to deposit a bank guarantee letter, the value of the shipment in cash, or provide a guarantee from his employer. The guarantee is to be returned once the shipment leaves the country or the Customer has obtained a permanent residence.
• A Certificate of Residence, issued by the consulate at origin, stating that the Customer has lived abroad for a minimum period of two years is required for returning Uruguayan citizens
• Bank guarantee letter

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

• Shipments must arrive within 90 days of Customer
• Used household goods and personal effects, showing evidence of use, may be duty-free, if owner has lived abroad and owned the items for at least two years, and Customer has a permanent residence
• Non permanent residents may be required to make bank guarantee deposit, refundable when shipment leaves country

DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS

• New household goods subject to duties and value added tax
• Electrical appliances
• Only one of each allowed, except for TV sets
• Bicycles allowed only as part of a household goods shipment
• Works of art and antiques
• Alcohol and tobacco products
• Food
• Jewelry and coins
• Wedding gifts require packing list and a visaed marriage certificate
• Inherited goods require packing list, visaed proof of estate of inheritance, and visaed Death Certificate

PROHIBITED ITEMS

• Weapons and ammunition (only sport guns allowed) permit from Ministry of Defense required
• New electrical appliances
• Drugs
• Plants need a Health Certificate
• Pornographic or subversive materials

MOTOR VEHICLES

• New cars are dutiable
• Returning Uruguayan citizens are permitted to import used cars provided they comply with the following requirements:
  • Owner of the auto must have lived abroad for a minimum of three years
  • Auto must have been in the owner's name for a minimum of three years
  • Owner must apply for authorization from the Ministry of Finance before Customs clearance can begin
• Foreigners are not allowed to import used autos
• Documents required:
  • Commercial Invoice (original)
  • Car title or Certificate of Register or Matriculation
• IMPORTANT: These documents must be legalized by Uruguayan Consulate at origin. An official translation of document into Spanish will also be required (which must be obtained in Uruguay).

PETS

• Health and Vaccination Certificates required