Customs regulations for your trip to Croatia

Customs Regulations

We recommend that you carry your passport (or, if a resident your Croatian ID card) always. They are the only officially recognised form of identification in Croatia.

Keep a photocopy of the biographical details page in a safe place, including details of your next of kin. If your passport is lost or stolen you should report it to the police and get a police report. You need to do this before applying for an Emergency Travel Document; advice on how to apply can be found here

You should always respect local laws and customs. In some Croatian town centres, on the spot fines may be issued for inappropriate behaviour such as walking through towns shirtless or in swimwear; or sleeping in public areas. Most towns have signage to advise about actions that are prohibited by local law. You should take notice of your surroundings, including signage, and take local advice if unsure.

Drug related offences are punishable with fines and jail sentences.

Taking food and drink into the EU

You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions for medical reasons, for example certain amounts of powdered infant milk, infant food, or pet food required for medical reasons.

Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

• Copy of passport, notarized by notary public in Croatia
• Copy of visa / extended stay permit / work permit / proof of residence
• Copy of lease / purchase contract
• Detailed, valued inventory, signed by the owner of the goods (Croatian and English) (2 copies)
• Original bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
• Power of attorney (foreigners)
• Statement from Croatian embassy at origin (returning citizens)
• Employment contract or company registration documents (self-employed)
• EORI number (returning citizens)
• Croatian ID card (returning citizens)
• Original letter of protocol  (diplomats)
• Copy of diplomatic passport (diplomats)

Specific Information

• Owner of the goods must arrive prior to shipment.
• Duties and taxes of approximately 35-45% of the total value apply if the owner of the goods does not qualify for duty and tax free import.
• Diplomats can import household goods duty and tax free with following documentation:
  • Detailed packing list
  • Copy of owner of the goods’ passport
  • Diplomatic protocol from the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • EORI number
• Detailed, valued inventory should list all used items.
  • They must have been owned by the owner of the goods for a minimum of 6 months prior to import into Croatia.
• Statement from Croatian embassy at origin must show that the owner of the goods has lived abroad for more than 12 months (returning citizens).

Click here to view : Country guides

Dutiable Items

• All weapons and ammunition imported into the country will require a permit and must be reported to the police upon entry.
• All species of animals (dogs, cats, birds, fishes, hamsters, etc.) may be imported in Croatia only when they enter across particular border crossings where vegetarian border inspections perform health control. Each animal must have its international health Certificate, issued in the country of export.
• Bringing pets in temporarily may be allowed only in cases, where the owner can provide an international Vaccination Certificate.

Import regulations:

Free import to passengers arriving with goods purchased within the EU which are for personal use only:

• tobacco products: 800 cigarettes; 400 cigarillos (max. 3 grams each); 200 cigars; 1 kilogram smoking tobacco;
• alcoholic beverages: 10 liters of spirits over 22%; 20 liters of alcoholic beverages less than 22%; 90 liters of wine (though no more than 60 liters of sparkling wine); 110 liters of beer.

Free import to passengers arriving from non-EU Member States (incl. Canary Islands, Channel Islands and other similar territories):

• tobacco products, for passengers aged 17 and older:
  – 200 cigarettes; or
  – 100 cigarillos (max. 3 grams each); or
  – 50 cigars; or
  – 250 grams of smoking tobacco; or
  – a proportional mix of these products;
• alcoholic beverages, for passengers aged 17 and older:
  – 1 liter of spirits over 22% volume, or non-denatured ethyl alcohol with more than 80% volume; or
  – 2 liters of spirits or aperitifs made of wine or similar beverages less than 22% volume, or sparkling wines or liquor wines; or
  – a proportional mix of these products; and in addition
  – 4 liters still wine; and
  – 16 liters of beer;
• medications for personal use;
• other goods (for air travelers) up to a total value of EUR 430.-.

Products of animal origin, not originating from an EU Member State, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino or Switzerland, are not permitted to be imported into an EU Member State, with the exception of limited amounts from Andorra, Faroe Isl., Greenland, Iceland and small amounts of specific products from other countries.

Prohibited Items

• Firearms and ammunition
• Stuffed animals
• Alcohol, wine, & spirits
• Tobacco
• Narcotics

Miscellaneous (Pets, Motors, and others.)

Certain plants and plant products entering the EU must have an original phytosanitary certificate (see plant health biosecurity). These items must be declared on arrival and are subject to phytosanitary checks.

Arms and Ammunition regulations:

Passengers carrying firearms (for hunting, sports, etc.) or radio stations (CB, walkie-talkie, etc.) must hold a valid passport, regardless of their nationality.

Prohibited: It is not allowed to import arms and ammunition from Russian Fed. and Syria. For more information see sanctions map

Additional Information on regulations:

Articles of the archeological, historical, ethnographic, art and other scientific or cultural value require an export license issued by the competent authorities.

Pets:

Cats and dogs are subject to Regulation (EC) No. 998/2003 and Regulation (EU) 576/2013 .
Birds are subject to Decision (EC) No. 25/2007 .
Pets, may enter as passenger’s checked baggage, in the cabin or as cargo.

Baggage Clearance regulations:

Baggage is cleared at the airport of final destination in Croatia.

Exempt:

• Annually in the period of September 01 until March 31: baggage of passengers with their final destination being Brac or Losinj, which is then cleared at the airport of entry in Croatia;
• Baggage of transit passengers with a destination outside of Croatia.

Currency

Currency Import regulations:

Same regulations as for Export apply.

Currency Export regulations:

Local currency (Croatian Kuna – HRK) and foreign currencies: no restrictions if arriving from or traveling to another EU Member State .
If arriving directly from or traveling to a country outside the EU: amounts exceeding EUR 10,000.- or more or the equivalent in another currency (incl. banker’s draft and cheques of any kind) must be declared.

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

• Original vehicle documentation (title / registration) (in English and Croatian)
• Invoice or pro-forma invoice with the vehicle value
• Technical data (chassis number, weight, power, etc.)
• Green card
• Driver’s license
• Proof of ownership by owner of the goods for at least 6 months
• Diplomatic protocol, if applicable
• Letter of Indemnity (LOI)
  • The owner of the vehcile as stated on the vehicle documents must provide a signed statement confirming that the fuel tank of the vehicle is empty and that the battery has been disconnected.

Specific Information

• An owner of the goods with a temporary stay permit or who have a permanent residence in Croatia may import used vehicles for a period of 12 months from the date following its import.
• New cars can be registered to persons having a Croatian residence permit.
• Car must not be older than 7 years old for import into Croatia.
• Vehicles can only be imported duty / tax free with a diplomatic protocol issued by the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  • Without protocol, temporary import is possible but a fee will be charged.
  • Temporary import  is possible without Customs clearance if the vehicle will stay in Croatia for no more than 6 months
    • After 6 months of using the vehicle in Croatia, the vehicle must be exported and will not be allowed back into Croatia until a total of 12 months from original imported date.

Antiques, Artifacts, Carpets, Paintings

• When importing jewelry / art antiques, these items must be registered upon arrival in Croatia.

No restriction on registered items as long as document from Croatian Ministry of Culture is available to show the presence of item in Croatia.