🇵🇹 Import Customs & Duties: Portugal
Quick Facts
Duty-free threshold
$0
Duty applies from $0
VAT / Sales Tax
23%
CIF value + duty. Reduced 13% for certain food, wine, agricultural inputs. Super-reduced 6% for basic food, books, medicines, public transport. Madeira: 22%/12%/5%. Azores: 16%/9%/4%.
Clearance Time
1-4 days
typical processing
Duty Rates by Category
| Category | Duty Rate | HS Chapter |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics | 0-3.7% (smartphones 0%, laptops 0%, TVs 14%) | HS 85 |
| Clothing | 12% (knitted garments 12%, woven shirts 12%) | HS 61-62 |
| Footwear | 8-17% (leather shoes 8%, sports shoes 16.9%) | HS 64 |
| Food products | 0-26% (meat 12.8%, dairy 9-36%, wine 13.1 EUR/hl) | HS 01-24 |
| Machinery | 0-4% (industrial machinery 0%, pumps 1.7%) | HS 84 |
| Cosmetics | 2.5-6.5% (perfumes 6.5%, skincare 2.5%) | HS 33 |
| Books | 0% | HS 49 |
| Toys | 0-4.7% (video game consoles 0%, dolls 4.7%) | HS 95 |
Rates shown are for standard goods. Exact rate depends on the HS code of your item.
Import Duty Calculator
Customs Clearance Process
Portuguese Customs (AT, Autoridade Tributaria e Aduaneira) follows EU Union Customs Code. SDS (Sistema de Desalfandegamento Simplificado) electronic declaration system. Lisbon and Sines ports (Sines is a growing Atlantic deep-water hub) and Lisbon airport are main entry points. CTT (Correios de Portugal) handles postal customs with a handling fee. IOSS for VAT from €0.
What to Actually Expect
EU customs, generally efficient. CTT postal parcels may take 2-5 days for customs clearance and CTT charges a handling fee for customs-liable parcels. Express couriers faster (1-2 days). Madeira and Azores have special EU outermost region status with reduced VAT rates. Sines port growing as major Atlantic gateway for Asian cargo.
Required Documents
Commercial Invoice
Item description, quantity, value, sender and receiver details
Packing List
Detailed description of contents in each package
Customs Declaration (CN22/CN23)
Required for postal shipments
Air Waybill (AWB)
Generated by the carrier when booking the shipment
Certificate of Origin
May be required for reduced duties (FTA/preferential rates)
Export/Import License
For restricted goods (electronics, medicines, chemicals)
Import License Requirements
EU-standard licensing. Required for agricultural quotas, dual-use goods, weapons. INFARMED approval for pharmaceuticals and medical devices. ASAE (Food and Economic Safety Authority) controls food safety. Wine import has specific regulatory requirements.
Certificate of Origin
Issued by Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIP) and AICEP Portugal Global. EUR.1 movement certificate for EU FTA partners. REX system for registered exporters. Special trade facilitation with Portuguese-speaking countries (CPLP, Angola, Brazil, Mozambique, etc.).
Learn more →Prohibited & Restricted Items
Prohibited
- xNarcotics and illegal drugs
- xExplosives and flammable materials
- xWeapons and ammunition
- xCounterfeit goods
- xCounterfeit currency and documents
Restricted (permit required)
- !Medicines and pharmaceuticals
- !Food and beverages
- !Plants and seeds
- !Electronics (lithium batteries)
- !Perfumes and cosmetics (volume limits)
Useful Links
Duty & Tax Estimate
Estimated import charges when shipping goods to Portugal:
| Goods Value | Duty | VAT/Tax | Total Charges |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50 | $2 | $12 | $14 |
| $100 | $4 | $24 | $28 |
| $200 | $8 | $48 | $56 |
| $500 | $21 | $120 | $141 |
| $1000 | $42 | $240 | $282 |
Estimates only. Actual duties depend on product category and HS code.
Popular routes to Portugal
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the duty-free threshold for Portugal?
Portugal has no duty-free threshold. All imported goods are subject to duties regardless of their value.
What is the VAT rate on imports to Portugal?
The VAT/tax rate on imports to Portugal is 23%. VAT applies to: CIF value + duty. Reduced 13% for certain food, wine, agricultural inputs. Super-reduced 6% for basic food, books, medicines, public transport. Madeira: 22%/12%/5%. Azores: 16%/9%/4%.
How long does customs clearance take in Portugal?
Typical customs clearance in Portugal takes 1-4 days. Express shipments usually clear faster.
What documents are needed to import into Portugal?
To import into Portugal, you typically need: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading/airway bill, and customs declaration. Some goods may require a certificate of origin or import license.
What items are prohibited from import into Portugal?
Portugal prohibits the import of narcotics, weapons, counterfeit goods, certain animal products, and hazardous materials. Restrictions may also apply to alcohol, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, and certain electronics.