Money

Natural persons entering or leaving the territory of the European Communities (EC) are required to notify the customs office in writing about imports and exports of payment instruments denominated in the Czech or foreign currencies, travellers' checks, money orders exchangeable for cash, bearer securities or instruments to order, or any other investment instruments in the total value of EUR10,000 or higher, and/or high-value commodities, including without limitation, precious metals or precious stones, in the total value in excess of EUR 10,000.

The forms can be obtained from the EU points of entry and departure (in the Czech Republic, the customs offices at international airports).

Non-commercial Goods

EXPORTS

Czech and foreign nationals (natural persons) are allowed to export from the Czech Republic without any permission articles of noncommercial nature, i.e., articles that are, as to their kind and quantity, imported exclusively to meet the personal needs of these persons and members of their families or which are to be given as presents. The value of the exported articles is not limited.

If the exported articles are subject to legal regulations, such as veterinary regulations, regulations concerning protection of cultural values, museum and gallery pieces, health and environmental protection, security, etc., the customs officers will require export permission pursuant to these regulations.

IMPORTS

Personal gift items

A custom fee in the amount of 3,5% is applied to non-commercial imports with a total value exceeding 175 Euro per person (90 Euro for children under age 15). Limits for tobacco, alcohol and perfumes apply.

a) tobacco

• 200 pcs cigarettes, 100 pcs cigarillos, 50 pcs cigars, 250 grams tobacco

b) alcoholic beverages

• 1liter of liquors and spirits, vol. of alcohol more than 22%; non-denatured ethyl alcohol, vol. of alcohol 80% or more

or

• 1 liter of liquors, spirits and aperitifs made of wine, alcohol, saké or similar, max. vol. of alcohol 22%; sparkling wines, liqueur wines

• 2 liters of non-sparkling wines

c) fragrances

• 50 grams of perfume or

• 0.25 litre of Eau de toilette

These limits apply for gifts and personal items of value not exceeding 350 Euro (per person).

Gifts sent by mail

A custom fee in the amount of 3,5% is applied to non-commercial items with a total value exceeding 45 Euro per parcel. Restrictions for tobacco, alcohol and perfumes apply.

a) tobacco products

• 50 pcs cigarettes or

• 25 pcs cigarillos or

• 10 pcs cigars or

• 50 grams tobacco

b) alcoholic beverages

• 1 liter of liquors and spirits, vol. of alcohol more than 22%; non-denatured ethyl alcohol, vol. of alcohol 80% or more or

• 1 liter of liquors, spirits and aperitifs made of wine, alcohol, saké or similar, max. vol. of alcohol 22%; sparkling wines, liqueur wines

• 2 liters of non-sparkling wines

c) fragrances

• 50 grams of perfume or

• 0.25 litre of Eau de toilette

The limits only apply to gifts and personal items of value not exceeding 350 Euro per parcel.
Custom fee for tobacco, alcohol and perfumes must be paid in full if imported for commercial purposes.

Tax-free shopping in Czechia

All foreign tourists from outside the EU are entitled to claim the value added tax (VAT or "DPH" in Czech).

Visitors from outside the EU are entitled to get a refund of the VAT paid on goods they have purchased during their stay in the EU provided that the goods are produced to Customs on departure from the EU together with the VAT refund documents. These documents are normally prepared by the merchant from whom the goods have been purchased, and the refund is made directly by the merchant. There are commercial firms that can act as agents for the merchants (e.g. Global Blue, Premier Tax Free) . Generally, merchants or the commercial companies charge for this service by making a deduction from the refund. As the refund scheme is voluntary, travellers should check that the merchant participates in the scheme before the goods are purchased.

Conditions:

Visitors must provide proof of their residence status (e.g. non-EU passport)
Goods must be exported from the EU within 3 months of their purchase
Minimum value of purchases to qualify for refund ( 2,000 CZK in the Czech Republic)

Important notice:

Neither the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in New York, Chicago or Los Angeles nor the Czech Embassy in Washington, D.C. validate the VAT refund forms or refund the VAT.

For more detail information, you may contact the Customs Administration of the Czech Republic.

Tax refund agents:

Global Blue
Web: www.global-blue.com
 

Premier Tax Free
Web: www.premiertaxfree.com