Removals to Algeria: Customs, Household Goods and Cars

The same guide sets out how the arrangement works. Temporary admission “may be extended several times by the moving agent or clearing agent for a maximum of 3 years”, and “Failure to extend results in penalties.” The cover ends in one of two ways. Either the owner leaves, in which case “Imported household goods must be re-exported when the non-Algerian owner leaves the country”, or three years pass and duty is paid on what remains. “After 3 years, the goods will be taxed as an import”, and the owner no longer has to take them out again.

Algerian customs describes the same group of people in French. Its page for foreign residents applies to those established in the country for a period of three years or more, as a worker, a student or an accredited company. They receive the change-of-residence regime and temporary-import regimes, which cover personal or family use without commercial character. A separate page covers diplomats and students under an order of 14 September 1999.

Two limits matter in practice. IAM says “Duty and tax exemption for non-diplomatic shipments is only granted if the valued inventory is less than 20,000 EUR.” It also states “Only one shipment is authorised duty-free”, in effect one by sea and one by air, and “Only one item of each type is permitted duty-free.” A second television or fridge falls outside that limit. A processing charge applies as well: “2% of the total inventory value is charged as a customs processing tax.”

For a foreign worker the list begins with the passport pages and a certified copy of the resident card or “receipt of application for resident card”. It continues with “Copy of the Algerian work contract”, an original certificate of employment, and a copy of the ministry annex or work permit. The shipping documents are the original bill of lading or air waybill and the packing list. The inventory has to be valued and detailed, with a consulate signature. “All documents must be in French.”

Expect the contents to be matched against the list. IAM says “Customs authorities inspect all containers and parcels.” It adds that “The owner must be present for customs purposes.” Anything missing from the inventory is a problem: customs may charge “the amount of which is at the customs officer's discretion”, or seize the item. For electrical goods the inventory needs make, model and serial number. List everything once, accurately, before the consulate stamps it.

GOV.UK also notes that your passport must be valid for at least six months after you arrive. Our UK customs documentation checklist covers the British side of the paperwork.

The free storage period is short. IAM says “Goods may remain at port/airport for 21 days.” After that “A customs fine of €500 is levied from day 22 after arrival at port/airport.” It continues: “An additional €500 is charged from day 31, and a further €500 per month thereafter.” The guide describes storage and demurrage as “Port/airport storage and demurrage: Systematic (always incurred) for both air and sea shipments in Algeria.”

Neglect has a limit. If no declaration is filed, “If not filed, goods are placed under deposit regime for 2 months.” Later, “Goods may be sold at auction after 4 months.” The practical advice is to have the Algerian agent named, the stamped papers in hand and the owner or a proxy available before the ship is due. For sea freight the guide names “Port of Algiers for sea freight” and lists Oran, Annaba and Béjaïa as other ports. Our Algeria overview shows how those ports fit the cities.

Equipment that looks military is treated strictly. IAM names surveillance cameras, binoculars, antennas and GPS devices, and GOV.UK says “It is illegal to bring drones, binoculars, telescopes and certain types of photography equipment into Algeria without authorisation.” The US trade guide adds a general list: it bans firearms, explosives, narcotics, around 350 pharmaceutical products and pork products for commercial imports. Gold and silver jewellery has a limit of 100 g in total weight.

Cash is a separate matter from the shipment. GOV.UK says “Declare cash at your point of entry and exit into Algeria if the amount you are carrying exceeds 5000 euros”, and that “Only travellers with residency status are allowed to bring in and take out Algerian banknotes”, up to 10,000 dinars. Algerian customs asks travellers to declare currency and valuables on entry and on exit, online or on a printed form. IAM adds that “Foreign currencies may be imported without limit but must be declared in writing upon arrival”.

The first step is with your employer. IAM states “The client must first obtain customs agreement for importing the vehicle through their company”. The papers include the original registration document, a document showing the vehicle's value, a certificate of compliance, and a data sheet with engine size and power. “The original registration document allows the client to obtain the TPD”, the customs passage title, and the guide says to ask for the carnet acquit à caution, valid for three months.

Algerian customs gives the passage title its own page. It says in capitals that every traveller entering or leaving with a vehicle must take one out, and offers an online form (E-TPD). On engine power, IAM says “The maximum allowable engine power has historically been cited at 10 HP (fiscal horsepower); this could not be independently confirmed as current.” Treat that as a question for the agent. Preparation is the usual kind: “All vehicles must be completely emptied of fuel and run until stalled.” Our car shipping guide compares the ways a car can travel.

The paperwork changes too. The list includes a certificate that the person has been removed from the consulate's lists, a change-of-residence certificate and a stamped valued inventory, and a copy of the Algerian passport. For a car the guide says “Returning Algerian citizens may only import vehicles that are new and purchased from an authorised brand dealer.” That excludes the family's UK car.

Two government notes bear on dual nationals. GOV.UK says “Algerian nationals, including dual-nationals, who enter the country on an Algerian passport, must leave the country on an Algerian passport”. It also warns, under military service, that “If you are a British male of Algerian origin, you may be liable for national service even if you have been living outside of Algeria.” Check your own position with the consulate before you book packers.