Moving To Bolivia

Providing Shipping Services for Your Move to Bolivia

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Custom Regulations for Bolivia

Like any other nation, there are certain documents you must have in order to be granted access into Bolivia. The country requires that you provide the destination agent will all of the necessary documents prior to the arrival of your shipment.

Original passport
Resident visa, approved by Migration Department (Visa de ObjetoDeterminado)
Labor contract, approved by Ministry of Labor
Bill of Lading/Air Waybill-2 original copies for sea shipments, 1 copy for air
Detailed inventory-original and 4 copies (in Spanish)
Insurance policy-original and 2 copies

For returning Bolivians, the requirements are a little different. First, you must have lived abroad for at least 2 years to be granted tax relief on your shipments. This Customs Tax Relief is only granted once per family. Another restriction is that you must not have visited Bolivia for a period of 90 continuous days during your 2 years abroad. Here are the required documents for returning Bolivians:

Residence Certificate, obtained from Bolivian Consulate at origin country
Detailed inventory with values of items, approved by Bolivian Consulate at origin
Work certificate or contract, proving your employment for 2 years outside of Bolivia

Bolivia isn’t as strict as other countries about what you can import through customs. In fact, most used household goods and personal effects valued under $35,000 can be imported duty and tax-free. These are just some of the items the nation allows you to import without hassle:

400 cigarettes (2 cartons)
50 cigars (or 500g of tobacco)
3 liters of alcoholic beverages
1 camera
1 non-professional camcorder/video camera
1 personal computer/laptop
1 tape recorder
1 cellphone

When moving to Bolivia, there are some items that are restricted by customs. This means that there are specific regulations for importing certain items into the country.

An import license is required for firearms and ammunition.
A sanitary or phytosanitary certificate is required for plant and meat products (obtained from the Servicio Nacional de SanidadAgropecuaria e Inocuidad).
Pets require a good health certificate from a licensed veterinarian in origin country.
The Telecommunications Office must authorize all transmission devices for television and radio.
You must register pharmaceutical products with the Vice Ministry of Health and they must be approved under World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.

Of course, Bolivia does prohibit the import of certain items-most of which the country’s official deem unnecessary or dangerous to its citizens.

Illegal drugs
Unauthorized pharmaceutical products
Knives and deadly weapons
Unauthorized firearms and explosives
Unauthorized chemicals
Plants, fruits, vegetables and seeds considered harmful by Ministry of Agriculture
Unauthorized pets and animals
Used clothing deemed unsanitary
Radioactive material and other hazards
Counterfeit money and goods
Gambling machines
Pornographic and/or lewd material

When you’re importing a vehicle into Bolivia, keep in mind that only left-hand drive automobiles are permitted. Your vehicle must not be older than 3 years, and motorcycles over 100cc are prohibited from import. All vehicles are subject to duties and taxes up to 51% over their CIF value, since they are not considered personal effects.

The size and engine capacity of your vehicle is restricted, and prior to shipping it to Bolivia, you must get a valuation and inspection from your origin country. Here are the required documents for import:

Original Certificate of Title and Registration
Import permit, approved by Ministry of External Affairs before arrival
Original invoice and Certificate of Origin
Insurance policy-original and 2 copies
License from the Transport Control Department
Inspection certificate, stating vehicle is in running condition

For people importing pets into Bolivia, there are some important regulations you must remember. First, all pets must be at least four months old. You may be subject to a 32% duty over the CIF value of the animal at the time of customs clearance, and you must be present upon the pet’s arrival. Here are the required documents for import:

Certificate of Vaccination, issued in country of origin
Health certificate, issued by licensed veterinarian in country of origin
Certificate of value of animal
Import permit, issued by Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Parks

For most goods, the tax rate ranges from 5-20% in Bolivia. Some materials, such as specific apparel and travel goods, can be subject to duties up to 40%. If your items spend any time in a customs warehouse, they will be assessed a 0.5% customs warehouse fee charged on the CIF value of all imports. A value-added tax (VAT) is added to the CIF value-this tax is around 13%. In addition, the Bolivian Customs office charges anywhere between $50 and $60 for each shipment.

NOTE – Customs regulations are subject to change at any time. The proceeding information is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods shipments to this destination and is being provided for general guidance to assist our Agents and Customers. Since such regulations are subject to change without notice, International sea & air shipping cannot be held liable for any costs, damage, delays, or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance. Always double check with your local embassy or consulate.

Call our International Moving Specialists @ 1 (866) 315-4170

How International Sea & Air can help for moving to Bolivia

First, one of our trained moving specialists will provide a personal consultation, thoroughly outlining your moving options based on specific criteria, such as:

Your moving timeline. When do you need to be in Bolivia?
Your real estate plans. Will you be renting or buying?
Your family/household size. Will you be moving alone or with your family? For business or personal reasons?
Cubic feet estimate. How large is your shipment?

What Will Moving to Bolivia Cost?

For an accurate estimate of your shipment size, you should schedule a home survey as early as possible for your move to Bolivia.

Our moving specialists will assess your belongings to give you the best potential estimate to expedite your relocation. The cost of moving to Bolivia will vary considerably based on the cubic footage of your belongings and your proposed destination arrival time.

Don’t forget to ask about our overseas packing and custom crating services, too!

About Bolivia

Located in the western-central portion of South America, Bolivia borders Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile and Peru. It is completely landlocked, with nearly a third of the country falling within the Andean mountain range. Bolivia is considered a developing country, with a declining poverty rate and increasing economic attributes like agriculture, forestry, fishing and manufacturing industries.

Bolivia features a lot of biodiversity, resulting in a variety of climates and terrains. This includes tropical rainforests, dry valleys, tropical savannas and mountains. The country experiences a humid tropical climate in its Llanos region, featuring warmer weather and infrequent precipitation. The Altiplano region experiences colder temperatures, as well as frequent frost and snow. The country’s more mountainous region experiences a temperate climate with high humidity and precipitation rates.

The official language of Bolivia is Spanish, with over 88% of the population speaking it. The country recognizes plenty of indigenous languages and dialects as official languages as well. Bolivia’s largest city is Santa Cruz de la Sierra, but its capital city is Sucre. Bolivia also features popular cities such as La Paz, El Alto and Cochabamba.