The decision to return to your home country after years spent in the United States is difficult, but the logistics involved can be even harder. The law allows those returning permanently to be exempt from customs duties, known as a “transfer of residence.” How can you take advantage of this and not drown in paperwork?
Who qualifies for a customs duty exemption?
To transport your life’s belongings tax-free, you must prove that you lived in the USA legally for at least 12 months. You must also demonstrate that you are returning to Poland permanently – a certificate of deregistration from the USA or registration in Poland will be useful.
What can you take with you?
The exemption covers personal items that you owned and used in the USA for at least 6 months before the moving date. This applies to furniture, electronics/appliances, clothing, and even a car. Remember: you cannot sell these items in Poland for 12 months from the date of import, otherwise, the customs office will demand taxes.
20-foot or 40-foot container?
For a typical 1-bedroom apartment, a 20-foot container is usually sufficient. If you are taking the furnishings of an entire single-family home and a car, a 40-foot container will be necessary. At Polamer, we help estimate the cargo volume and deliver the container to your home in New Jersey, New York, or another location.
Inventory list – your most important document
You must prepare an accurate packing list. Each box must be labeled (“books”, “clothes”, “kitchen”). General terms like “miscellaneous” can cause customs inspections and delays. Contact us to receive a template for a correct inventory list.
