Your Simple UK-to-Austria Customs Guide for a Stress-Free Move
This page explains, in very simple steps, what you need for customs when moving from the UK to Austria. It is written for normal people, not lawyers or tax experts. You can use it as a clear checklist before your removal company collects your things.
Before You Pack: Documents and Rules
When you move your home from the UK to Austria, your goods must pass through customs. Customs is the government check at the border. Customs clearance means an officer checks your forms and decides if anything must pay tax or duty.
Before your removal company packs your house, make sure you have:
- A valid passport for you and your family members
- Your Austrian address (even if it is temporary, like a short‑term flat or hotel)
- Proof that you are really moving, such as:
- Work contract in Austria
- University place or school letter
- Long‑term rental agreement or property purchase document
- Proof you lived in the UK before (for example, council tax bill, UK utility bill, or bank statement with your UK address)
You should also check any special rules if you are not a UK or EU citizen. Some people need a visa or residence permit before they move. Always keep your important documents in your hand luggage, not in the removal van.
Your Moving Inventory and What You Can Bring
Customs officers want to see a clear list of what you are bringing. This is called an inventory. An inventory is a simple list of all the items in your shipment, with a description and sometimes an estimated value in euros or pounds.
A good inventory should:
- Group items by room (for example: “Kitchen – plates, pans, cutlery”, “Bedroom – bed, wardrobe, clothes”)
- Mark special items like high‑value electronics, musical instruments, artwork, or antiques
- Clearly show any new items that are less than six months old
Most normal used household goods can enter Austria without import tax if:
- You have owned and used them for at least six months before your move
- They are for your personal use in your new home, not for resale
- You move them within a set time (usually within 12 months of moving to Austria)
If you plan to ship a car or motorbike, you will need extra papers, such as the vehicle registration, proof of ownership, and sometimes proof you have owned the vehicle for a certain period. Your removal company should explain this in plain language before shipping.
Some items are restricted or need special permission. Common examples include:
- Some food, plants, or animal products
- Large amounts of alcohol or tobacco
- Weapons or items that look like weapons
- Medicines above normal personal amounts
If you are unsure about an item, ask your move coordinator or check the official Austrian customs website. It is always safer to ask first than to have something held at the border.
Simple Customs Checklist You Can Follow
Use this checklist as a step‑by‑step guide when planning your move from the UK to Austria. You can print it and tick each line when it is done.
- Personal details
- Passport for each family member
- Austrian address (even if temporary)
- Contact phone and email that work in both the UK and Austria
- Proof of your move
- Work contract, study letter, or other proof of long‑term stay
- Rental agreement or proof of home purchase in Austria
- Proof of your old UK address (bill or bank statement)
- Inventory and packing
- Full inventory list for all boxes and furniture
- High‑value items clearly listed with simple descriptions
- Any new items under six months old clearly marked
- Breakable items packed safely and labelled as fragile
- Special items
- If shipping a vehicle, you have registration and proof of ownership
- You have checked rules for alcohol, tobacco, medicines, and any food
- No banned or dangerous items packed by mistake
- Customs and timing
- You told your removal company your planned move date and arrival date
- You understand that customs clearance may take a little time at the border
- You keep important documents with you, not in the shipment
Working with an experienced international removals company makes the whole process much easier. A good move partner will give you clear forms to fill in, help you prepare your inventory, advise you about any taxes or duties that might apply, and keep you updated while your goods travel. With the right preparation and this simple checklist, your customs process into Austria can be smooth, organised, and stress‑free.