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Importation certificates

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RockDoc
  11/3/2022 22:20 EST

We were informed we'll need a luggage certificate for importing our personal possessions tax free when we arrive. Additionally there is a residence certificate issued at a local government office, also necessary for importing possessions with a tax exemption.
Are these additional certificates something that we can easily get ourselves, or do we need to use a local attorney or relocation service to expedite these? We're curious as we were quoted a price of 1200+ euros for those two services by a relocation service. This seems high, but we don't know if those prices are in or out of line with typical costs?

jwoessner
  11/5/2022 16:49 EST

We got the luggage certificate ourselves. Don't pay an attorney. I emailed the consulate and they directed me to a page on their website with instructions. I had to make a list of everything in the shipment and fill out some paperwork and mail it to the consulate. It was no big deal. I haven't received my shipment yet. The local partners of the shipping company say we have to get our NIF changed to a local address and get the residency card. I explained that my SEF appointment is for next June, 2023 and they said that could be a problem. But they may have a work around for it and we'll be dealing with that in the next few weeks.

So don't pay an attorney just to fill out some forms. You have to do most of the work anyway making the list of items you are shipping.

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realspear
  11/6/2022 02:55 EST

€1200 is insane for those two services. You get the baggage certificate from your assigned Consulate in the US. You have to do all the work as most of it is inventory, which no service can do for you. The request takes about five minutes to fill out and you have to have payment, probably in a money order (can't remember).

The certificate of habitation from your local Junta da Freguesia is also something that you have to do. The service could go with you, but you could find a student or someone at the cafe and offer them €20 if you are concerned about the language issue. You will need a utility bill and bring your lease or purchase agreement. You may be asked to return with two neighbors, people who live close and can affirm that you live where you say you live. You pay (less than €10). If you are a couple, make sure they include that in the statement. If they won't, you may have to do two of them.

I can't believe someone would charge €1200 for things that you have to do.

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