Moving to Turkmenistan

Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

  • Copy of passport
  • Copy of visa
  • Original bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
  • Packing list
  • Letter from embassy to Customs committee (diplomats)
  • Diplomatic note approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Copy of diplomatic card (diplomats)
  • Pro-forma invoice (foreigners and returning citizens)
  • Letter of employment (foreigners)
  • Customs declaration blank form (to be completed at Customs)

Specific Information

  • Foreigners must pay USD $5.00 / hour for Customs service.
  • Turkmen citizens are not permitted to import household goods and personal effects on a temporary import basis and must pay full Customs taxes and duties.
  • A pre-alert with copies of all documents should be sent 10 days prior to the arrival of the shipment to avoid payment of heavy import duties.

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

  • Permission of Operation Department of Ashgabad Customs Office
  • Insurance documentation
  • OBL / AWB
  • Inspection by state vehicle inspection
  • Receipt of plates from state vehicle inspection
  • Driving manual for the vehicle
  • Temporary / permanent import declaration
  • Permission from trans-inspection (diplomats and foreigners)
  • Certificate of standard of state (diplomats and foreigners)
  • Temporary import declaration (diplomats and foreigners)

Specific Information

  • The permanent importation of vehicles is subject to full Customs taxes and duties per fixed Customs tariff (foreigners).
  • Vehicles can be imported on a temporary basis with a Customs duty payment of $25.00 + $5 per hour for Customs services (foreigners).
  • The sale of a vehicle temporarily imported is restricted (foreigners).

Pets

Documents Required

  • Certificate of vaccination
  • Veterinary health certificate

Specific Information

  • Permission from CITES is required for the importation of endangered species.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

  • Precious jewelry, stones and currency can be imported only as accompanied baggage and must be declared with Customs authorities at the airport.
  • Wine and spirits for personal consumption (1L per person)
  • The following items may be qualify for free import within the limits indicated:
    • Cigarettes (200), cigars (50), cigarillos (100), tobacco (500 g)
  • Amounts in excess of limits for free import are subject to duties and taxes as follows:
    • US $ 1.00 per liter excise duty
    • Up to 30% of value Customs duty (depending on the % of alcohol)
    • 15% of the value of the value added tax (VAT)
    • 0.2% of value Customs procedures duty
  • Hunting weapons (authorization from the Ministry of Interior required)

Prohibited Items

  • Weapons of all kinds
  • Pornography
  • Narcotics
  • Toxic and radioactive materials

Consignment Instructions

Recommended:  Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.

Cultural and Other Information