Customs provisions

On the territory of the Republic of Croatia, the customs legislation of the European Union and the national legislation harmonised with the regulations of the European Union apply. Bringing in personal luggage is exempt from paying import duties regardless of its value and applies to every traveller entering the EU customs area irrespective of whether they are carrying their luggage personally or the luggage arrives separately, provided that they can prove that all of the above luggage was declared at the same time at the time of departure to the person responsible for its transportation.

Goods in travellers’ personal luggage, provided that the type and quantity of goods indicate that the goods are not intended for resale but solely for personal use by travellers or their families, shall be exempt from import customs duties if their total value does not exceed €300.00, and €430.00 for air and sea travellers, This exemption applies to each traveller individually and can be applied once a day. Items that exceed the specified amount or are not personal luggage are subject to the calculation and payment of customs duties and value-added tax (and possibly excise duty). Travellers under the age of 15 may be exempt from paying import duties up to €150.00, regardless of the means of transport. When entering and leaving the territory of the European Union, travellers shall declare to the customs office any cash they are carrying with them if the amount is equal to €10,000.00or more, or the equivalent of the amount in other currencies or other means of payment, for example, checks. Foreign citizens and Croatian citizens with a place of usual residence in third countries may, with full exemption from import duties, temporarily import various items for their personal use and for the needs of their family members. Likewise, persons with permanent residence in the EU may temporarily bring items they need during their stay in third countries.

Personal items include all items, new or used, that the traveller may reasonably need for personal use during the trip, excluding any goods imported for commercial purposes. Personal items include, for example, video cameras, portable TV sets and audio devices, cameras, portable hand-held computers, portable personal computers, equipment for camping, sailing, diving, skiing, skating, hiking, motorhomes, pleasure boats, portable medical devices with accessories (if the traveller needs them), pets, etc. Bringing these items into the country is performed without special customs formalities by making an oral declaration at the border crossing. Taking the items out of the country is performed in the same way. When travellers export, or, especially when they import valuable professional equipment, when leaving or entering the Republic of Croatia, they must complete a “List of Goods” in triplicate at the border crossing. If necessary, they must attach an insurance document to pay any customs duties which may arise. Natural persons, who are neither permanent residents nor have a place of usual residence in the European Union, are entitled to a refund of value-added tax (PDV) on the goods they have purchased in Croatia if the value of the goods exceeds €98.21 per invoice. The refund is obtained upon presentation of the completed form PDV-P or a Tax-Free form that must be certified by Customs when taking the goods out of the European Union within 3 months of the date stated on the invoice or delivery note. Foreign citizens must submit the VAT refund request within six months from the day the invoice was issued. It is not possible to certify the PDV-P form or Tax-Free form once the goods have been carried out of the European Union.

You can find additional information on the Customs Administration website (www.carina.gov.hr). For information on the regulations relating to the import of products of animal origin in personal luggage, see the Ministry of Agriculture – Veterinary and Food Safety Directorate website: (www.poljoprivreda.gov.hr).