How to move belongings to Luxembourg

Transport by air

The fastest and most convenient way to get to the Grand Duchy is by plane. It's easy because you drop off your luggage at your country's airport and pick it up on the spot. The only items allowed on board are hand luggage and small pets, which are allowed to be carried in the cabin.

However, there are certain disadvantages. For example, severely limited norms on luggage weight. The exact figures depend on the carrier and many factors, but usually allowed weight does not exceed 25-30 kilograms. You have to pay extra for the rest.

Transport by cargo

Cargo air shipping is a great alternative if you have a lot of stuff. That option would work best if you're literally transporting a "full house", for example, with houseplants and some appliances.

This method is also handy because you do not have to worry about organizing and building logistics. Leave this to professionals. In addition, your belongings will be insured, and all customs issues will be taken care of by the carrier.

Transport by car

This method of relocation is not recommended usually. Let us now explain why.

The automobile is one of the most common and, unfortunately, inconvenient options when it comes to moving your belongings to Luxembourg. The problem is that you will have to declare literally everything you bring with you, right down to nails, pins, or tissues. And for some items, you will also have to pay tax or duty.

This is an enormous amount of bureaucratic and financial paperwork, which only the real experts in international and Luxembourg law want to deal with.

You have to declare a lot of things:

• Household items - clothing, furniture, etc.;
• Private transport – from scooters and bicycles to light aircraft;
• Food and other supplies, in case it represents a normal household consumption;
• Domestic animals and pets;
• Sled animals.

The rules and regulations regarding bringing belongings into Europe can be complicated and vary from country to country. In general, individuals can avoid paying tax duties on personal belongings when they move to a new country, provided that:

1. Personal property was acquired at least 6 months before the relocation.
2. Items will be used in the same way as in the country of residence.

To put it simply, you are not allowed to bring items into Luxembourg for sale or business purposes. This requires the appropriate status.

There are some categories of items for which tax and duty exemptions do not apply in any circumstances:

• Alcohol
• Tobacco.
• Mixed vehicles, mobile homes.
• Trucks, unless there are exceptional political circumstances.
• Professional equipment except for hand tools and unless there are exceptional political circumstances.
• Raw materials and semi-finished products made from them.
• Objects that have not previously been used with the factory packaging unopened.
• Personal belongings, the nature or quantity of which indicates a commercial intend.
• Item owned for less than 6 months.
• Items transported from another country if there is a second residency.

How to file a declaration

The declaration must be submitted by the owner of the belongings or his/her representative. In case you plan to transport belongings to Luxembourg in batches, you will still have to declare the entire list at once. Subsequently, you will submit partial lists according to the actual shipment.

You must attach the following documents to the declaration:

• An obligation based on the customs form.
• A detailed list of the items to be imported, showing their value, date and signature.
• A partial inventory lists, if belongings are transported in batches.
• Proof of identity of the person who carries the goods.
• Proof of citizenship and registration in a third country.
• Justification for entry into Luxembourg. This can be a rental agreement, work contract, phone bill from the rented apartment, etc.

How to bring a car in Luxembourg

If you bring a car across the border, you will need to provide a separate declaration for your vechicle, which includes:

• All of the above documents.
• Vehicle registration certificate.
• Invoice for purchase or leasing contract.

Categories falling into separate declaration

There are several categories of items that are subject to special regulations. In addition to the usual customs documents, a request must be submitted to the appropriate authority if you want to transport these belongings with you.

The list includes multiple categories:

• Weapons, ammunition, etc. — Department of Justice.
• Natural Plants — Department of Agricultural Surveillance.
• Domestic animals — Veterinary Service.
• Wild plants and animals: Animals — Veterinary Service; Plants — Plant Protection Service.
• Pharmaceuticals — Ministry of Health, Department of Pharmacology.