Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico Customs Information – Hercules Worldwide
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- Shipments from the US require the following documents:
- 2 copies of ID
- Original power of attorney
- Bill of landing
- Inventory signed by owner
- Freight bill signed by owner
- Shipments from a foreign country require the following documents:
- A completed US customs form along with documents needed for normal importation into the US
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
- Incoming shipments from the U.S.A. mainland are not tax free in Puerto Rico. Shipments of household goods are subject to excise taxes. The following items will attract excise taxes (not limited to this list):
- Clothing and books
- Regular furniture
- Computer
- Telecommunication equipment
- Any sporting good equipment
- Any new items
- Musical instruments
- Electrical items
- Cameras
- Carpeting
- Toys
- Items considered non-essential are taxed at a rate of 6.6% of the value declared by customer
PROHIBITED ITEMS
- Firearms – must include state serial number
- Any firearms imported with household goods will be confiscated upon delivery by local authorities; will not be released until owner has acquired a license and has received proper approval from authorities.
- Weapons are highly regulated
- Alcoholic beverages will be confiscated by local authorities
- Explosives
- Lottery tickets
- Pornographic materials
- Endangered species and monkeys
- Vegetables and plants
- Currency, coin collection, jewelry or items of extraordinary value
- Drugs – medicine should be accompanied with a statement or prescriptions from a personal physician
MOTOR VEHICLES
- No personal items are to be stored in vehicle
- All vehicles subject to physical inspection
- Vehicles subject to customs duties and tax
- The following documents are required:
- Original registration
- Original title certificate
- Copy of drivers license, including social security number, and stating postal address in Puerto Rico
- Notarized letter from line holder indicating VIN number, model, make and copy of title
- Commercial invoice for pickups and vans
- If importing from a foreign country, will require customs form 3299
- If vehicle importing from foreign country must obtain certificate of compliance with U.S. Federal EPA and DOT regulations (form 3520)
- Vehicles importing on government bill of landing also require:
- Job identification, with picture
- Government bill of landing and travel order
- Keys for vehicle and all compartments; give to destination agent before arrival
- Cannot remove vehicle from pier until all excise taxes, license fees, duties and so on, have been paid
- If vehicle is sold within 1 year of import, customs duties must be paid
**NOTE- all customs regulations and procedures are subject to change at any time. The above customs information is provided as a brief summary of Puerto Rico customs regulations and applies only to household goods shipments, and is for your general guidance. Hercules Worldwide is not liable for any damage, delays, duties, costs, taxes or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance, omissions or errors. Always check full requirements and restrictions with the local embassy or consulate.**
