Venezuela customs
Apply for visa
Free import
• Personal effects suited to the trip, plus new goods for personal use or as gifts worth up to USD 1,000 per person, as long as their quantity, type and value do not suggest commercial use.
• Venezuelan residents who bring new goods worth more than USD 1,000 and up to USD 2,000 pay reduced duty on the excess; above USD 2,000, ordinary import rules apply to the rest. For foreign tourists, new goods above USD 1,000 fall under the ordinary import rules.
• Goods that appear to be for commercial use must be imported under the ordinary import rules.
• All travelers, including tourists, must fill in and sign the customs baggage declaration (Forma 82), given out by the airline or by SENIAT officers at the airport, and hand it in at customs control. If you do not declare goods above the USD 1,000 allowance, you lose the allowance.
Currency
• There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency you may bring in.
• Foreign currency in banknotes, coins or bearer cheques totalling USD 10,000 or more (or the equivalent in other currencies) must be declared to customs (SENIAT) on arrival.
Prohibited
• Narcotics and synthetic drugs
• Radioactive, bacteriological and chemical substances
• Any goods whose import is prohibited under Venezuelan law
Restricted
• Some goods need a permit or a sanitary registration from the relevant ministry before they can be brought in. Check with SENIAT before you travel.
• Firearms and ammunition need prior import authorization from the competent Venezuelan authorities.
• Dogs, cats and ferrets (ferrets must be neutered) must be at least 4 months old, vaccinated against rabies, have up-to-date vaccinations and travel with a veterinary health certificate from the country of origin or a pet passport. Domestic rabbits need negative test results for rabbit haemorrhagic disease and myxomatosis. No more than 4 animals of each species.
• Ornamental birds (no more than 4 of each species) need a negative avian influenza test and a CITES permit where applicable. Ornamental fish are limited to 30.
• Animal products are allowed only in sealed original packaging approved by the health authority of the country of origin: boneless canned, sterilized or vacuum-packed meat products up to 10 kg; fish, seafood, pasteurized dairy products, processed egg products and honey up to 5 kg (or 5 L) each; pet food up to 5 kg. The Venezuelan agricultural health service (INSAI) may add restrictions depending on the animal health situation in the country of origin.
• Stuffed animals, hunting trophies and decorative items made from animal parts (feathers, skins, scales) must be properly treated and need a CITES permit where applicable.
• Plants, fruit, seeds and other plant products are inspected by INSAI at airports, ports and border posts and can be held or destroyed if pests or diseases are found.
• Personal effects suited to the trip, plus new goods for personal use or as gifts worth up to USD 1,000 per person, as long as their quantity, type and value do not suggest commercial use.
• Venezuelan residents who bring new goods worth more than USD 1,000 and up to USD 2,000 pay reduced duty on the excess; above USD 2,000, ordinary import rules apply to the rest. For foreign tourists, new goods above USD 1,000 fall under the ordinary import rules.
• Goods that appear to be for commercial use must be imported under the ordinary import rules.
• All travelers, including tourists, must fill in and sign the customs baggage declaration (Forma 82), given out by the airline or by SENIAT officers at the airport, and hand it in at customs control. If you do not declare goods above the USD 1,000 allowance, you lose the allowance.
Currency
• There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency you may bring in.
• Foreign currency in banknotes, coins or bearer cheques totalling USD 10,000 or more (or the equivalent in other currencies) must be declared to customs (SENIAT) on arrival.
Prohibited
• Narcotics and synthetic drugs
• Radioactive, bacteriological and chemical substances
• Any goods whose import is prohibited under Venezuelan law
Restricted
• Some goods need a permit or a sanitary registration from the relevant ministry before they can be brought in. Check with SENIAT before you travel.
• Firearms and ammunition need prior import authorization from the competent Venezuelan authorities.
• Dogs, cats and ferrets (ferrets must be neutered) must be at least 4 months old, vaccinated against rabies, have up-to-date vaccinations and travel with a veterinary health certificate from the country of origin or a pet passport. Domestic rabbits need negative test results for rabbit haemorrhagic disease and myxomatosis. No more than 4 animals of each species.
• Ornamental birds (no more than 4 of each species) need a negative avian influenza test and a CITES permit where applicable. Ornamental fish are limited to 30.
• Animal products are allowed only in sealed original packaging approved by the health authority of the country of origin: boneless canned, sterilized or vacuum-packed meat products up to 10 kg; fish, seafood, pasteurized dairy products, processed egg products and honey up to 5 kg (or 5 L) each; pet food up to 5 kg. The Venezuelan agricultural health service (INSAI) may add restrictions depending on the animal health situation in the country of origin.
• Stuffed animals, hunting trophies and decorative items made from animal parts (feathers, skins, scales) must be properly treated and need a CITES permit where applicable.
• Plants, fruit, seeds and other plant products are inspected by INSAI at airports, ports and border posts and can be held or destroyed if pests or diseases are found.