Clearing your belongings through customs without a VISA

Yes.

That is what I did (and was also was told it is somewhat common to do with a D7 Visa) 

You will have import taxes which you would not have if you were already a resident. (The value of used household goods is not particularly high so it is not, I thought, a big deal)

@rjanderson1111 This has provided great comfort! Thank you for the message.

How much were you duties out of interest? (No problem if you don't wish to share.)

What did you need documentation wise? (No problem if you can't remember haha)

Hi Sam,

Those with more experience than me can provide a reliable response. I am moving to Portugal in June and I have my visa. I have been told that you can enter the country as tourist at any time, but when you have your D7 Visa you must enter from the country where you applied and received the visa. Perhaps you have a different visa than D7.

Regards

pam

@pwinternational Thanks Pam!!

We're on the D7 yes

We're applying in the UK first before we move, so will just wait in portugal as tourists for the VISA approval. Our lawyer has said we can do this so i hope we won't run into trouble haha. We can fly back at any given time if needed.

Well, sure, you can live in Europe on a tourist visa, as long as you're out before your 90 days are up.  Then after another 90 days have passed, you can come back.  Repeat as needed, but you need a place to live outside the EU.

If you're shipping the household goods, it might be a good idea to clear your plan with the shipper.  They'll be dealing with customs, and they may or may not be wiling to explore scenarios they aren't used to.  If you're wheeling household goods through the airport or something like that, then likely customs won't be involved at all.

@rjanderson1111

I beleive the rate ws 23%.  And because these were used household   items I was told to give my best estimate of value (if it were to be sold by me). My experience with these type of slaes is the value is much less than new (As you would pay VAT on new replacement in PT any way, if you were not shipping them here)

@rjanderson1111 ok thanks! We've just had a removals company say they NEED the baggage certificate. Did you manage to get the baggage certificate before becoming a resident or did you manage to do it without? Who did you use for moving?

I did not have a baggage certificate (thus the estimate of value was low and as accurate as possible (used goods..)

Ruby was my mover.  I think they are based in the US but do international moves. they were good. I think you have to be as carful as possible with movers...

Hi

we used a company recommended to us by friends who had used them, they’re called Exclusive Removals, based in UK, Essex. We moved  part the contents of a small holiday home to Lisbon. they came, packed, did itemised list and sorted out all the VAT , Duty et cetera. The service was amazing and what we thought was really reasonable for being transported to Lisbon, they delivered, unpacked and took away all the packaging and placed furniture &  boxes in the rooms we allocated. I couldn’t recommend them highly enough if you are moving from the UK to Portugal. Hope this helps Mar