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Customs Glossary/Customs Exemption

Customs Exemption

GeneralCouncil Regulation (EC) No 1186/2009

PL: Zwolnienie celne | DE: Zollbefreiung

Definition

Customs exemption is the total or partial release of imported goods from the obligation to pay customs duties. Exemptions are provided in Council Regulation (EC) No 1186/2009 establishing a Community system of reliefs from customs duty and cover a wide range of cases.

Key customs exemptions: personal property of persons transferring their permanent residence to the EU, wedding trousseaux, inherited property, charitable gifts, low-value consignments (up to EUR 150 — exempt from duty but not VAT), commercial samples of negligible value, advertising materials, goods for educational, scientific, and cultural purposes, honorary decorations, and sports trophies.

To benefit from a customs exemption, a customs declaration must be filed indicating the legal basis for the exemption and supported by documents proving the conditions are met. Customs exemption applies only to duty — import VAT may still apply.

Legal Basis

Related Terms

Customs Exemption — Customs Glossary | Celna24.com | Celna24.com