PCS Customs & International Moving: Clearing Household Goods Through Foreign Customs

Bottom Line Up Front: OCONUS PCS requires customs clearance at destination country. Process: HHG arrives at port, customs inspects, releases (or holds for inspection/taxes). Timeline: 2-8 weeks from ship arrival to delivery. Prohibited items: Firearms, certain foods, plants, alcohol (varies by country). Required documents: Orders, passport, customs forms, inventory list. Common delays: Missing paperwork, prohibited items found, agricultural inspection. Costs: $0 for authorized military shipments (government pays), but personal import taxes possible for excess items. Japan/Germany/Korea have specific restrictions - research 60+ days ahead.

Customs Process Overview

What Is Customs Clearance?

Definition: Foreign government inspection of your belongings before allowing them into the country

Purpose:

• Prevent prohibited items (weapons, drugs, agricultural threats)
• Collect taxes/duties on imported goods
• Security screening

Military advantage:

• Diplomatic clearance (usually faster than civilians)
• Duty-free for household goods (no import taxes on furniture, clothes, etc.)
• Government handles most paperwork

Timeline:

• Ship arrives at foreign port
• Customs inspects (1-5 days)
• Release to moving company
• Delivery to your residence (7-14 days)
• Total: 2-8 weeks from ship arrival to HHG in your home

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Country-Specific Customs Requirements

Japan

Prohibited items (Don't even try to bring):

• Firearms, ammunition (SEVERE penalties)
• Drugs (prescription included - need approval)
• Pornography (broadly defined)
• Counterfeit goods (fake designer bags, watches)
• Certain foods (meat, dairy - Japan has strict agricultural laws)

Restricted (Need approval/inspection):

• Alcohol (limit: 3 bottles per adult)
• Tobacco (limit: 400 cigarettes per adult)
• Prescription medications (need doctor's letter + customs declaration)
• Plants (must be inspected, often destroyed)

Required documents:

• PCS orders
• Passport
• Japanese Customs Declaration (Form 6059B equivalent)
• Detailed inventory list (English + Japanese preferred)

Agricultural inspection:

• Very strict (prevent pests, diseases)
• Wooden crates inspected/fumigated
• Plants often destroyed (even houseplants)

Timeline: 3-6 weeks (agricultural inspection adds time)

Germany (Europe)

Prohibited items:

• Firearms (unless registered through German authorities - complex process)
• Nazi memorabilia (illegal in Germany)
• Certain knives (switchblades, etc.)
• Drugs

Restricted:

• Alcohol (no limit for personal use, but excessive = taxes)
• Tobacco (200 cigarettes duty-free)
• Cultural artifacts from certain countries

Required documents:

• PCS orders
• Passport
• EU Customs form
• Inventory list

VAT (Value Added Tax):

• Personal household goods: Duty-free (diplomatic clearance)
• New items (still in box): May be taxed (19% VAT)
• Cars: Special rules (EU compliance required)

Timeline: 2-4 weeks (EU = relatively fast)

South Korea

Prohibited:

• Firearms
• Pornography
• Certain publications (anti-government)
• North Korean items

Restricted:

• Alcohol (1 liter duty-free, excess taxed heavily)
• Tobacco (200 cigarettes)
• Prescription drugs (need documentation)
• Rice (Korea protects domestic rice industry)

Required documents:

• SOFA stamp on orders (critical!)
• Customs declaration
• Inventory list

Quarantine:

• Agricultural inspection for wood, food, plants

Timeline: 2-4 weeks

United Kingdom

Post-Brexit changes (as of 2025):

• No longer EU rules
• UK-specific customs

Prohibited:

• Firearms (very restrictive)
• Certain dog breeds (pit bulls, etc.)
• Offensive weapons
• Drugs

Restricted:

• Alcohol/tobacco (generous personal limits)
• Pets (separate UK pet travel rules - strict)

Required documents:

• PCS orders
• Passport
• UK customs declaration

Timeline: 2-3 weeks

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Prohibited Items (Don't Ship These)

Universal Prohibitions (All Countries)

Weapons:

• Firearms, ammunition (even if legal in US)
• Explosives, fireworks
• Pepper spray, stun guns

Drugs:

• Illegal drugs (obviously)
• Prescription drugs without documentation
• CBD/marijuana products (federally illegal to transport internationally)

Hazardous materials:

• Flammable liquids (gasoline, lighter fluid, paint thinner)
• Batteries (lithium batteries in quantity)
• Chemicals

Counterfeit goods:

• Fake designer items (customs WILL confiscate)

Country-Specific Prohibitions

Japan (Very Strict):

• Swords, knives (even decorative - Japan has sword laws)
• Wooden items (risk of pests - may be destroyed)
• Dried meats, jerky (agricultural ban)

Germany:

• Anything Nazi-related (swastikas, memorabilia - illegal to possess)

Korea:

• Rice, rice products (protectionist policy)

Middle East (if applicable):

• Alcohol, pork products (prohibited in some countries)
• Religious materials (bibles, etc. - restricted in some locations)

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Documents Required for Customs

Essential Documents (Bring Multiple Copies)

1. PCS Orders (Critical)

• Original + 5 copies
• Must show OCONUS assignment
• SOFA stamp (if applicable - Korea requires this)

2. Passport

• Valid for 6+ months beyond arrival
• Spouse + dependents' passports

3. Customs Declaration Form

• Provided by moving company or TMO
• Lists: Household goods value, prohibited items declaration

4. Detailed Inventory List

• Created by movers during pack-out
• Item-by-item list (or at least room-by-room)
• English (+ local language if possible)

5. Vehicle Title (If Shipping POV)

• Original title
• Registration
• Insurance

Optional But Helpful Documents

Receipts for high-value items:

• Electronics, jewelry (prove ownership, not smuggling)
• Helps if customs questions items

Photos of HHG:

• Pre-shipment photos
• Proof of condition (if damage claim later)

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Customs Inspection Process

What Happens at Foreign Port

Step 1: Ship arrives

• HHG unloaded from ship
• Moved to customs warehouse

Step 2: Customs review (1-5 days)

• Paperwork reviewed
• Decision: Full inspection OR random spot check OR clearance without opening

Step 3A: No inspection (Best case)

• Customs clears shipment based on paperwork
• Released to moving company
• Delivery scheduled

Step 3B: Spot check (Common)

• Open 10-20% of boxes
• Look for prohibited items, verify inventory accuracy
• If all clear → release (adds 1-3 days)

Step 3C: Full inspection (Rare, or if issues found)

• Open ALL boxes
• Thorough search
• Can take 5-14 days
• Usually triggered by: Missing paperwork, previous violations, random selection

If Prohibited Items Found

Scenario 1: Minor (Non-criminal)

• Example: Bottle of liquor over limit, wooden cutting board (Japan agricultural)
• Result: Item confiscated, small fine or warning
• Impact: Delays clearance 2-7 days

Scenario 2: Serious (Criminal)

• Example: Firearm, drugs, large quantity contraband
• Result: Criminal investigation, possible arrest, discharge from military
• Impact: Career-ending

Don't risk it: If in doubt, don't ship it

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Common Customs Delays & How to Avoid

Delay #1: Missing/Incorrect Paperwork

Cause:

• Lost inventory list
• Orders don't match shipment paperwork
• Missing customs forms

Prevention:

• Keep copies of ALL documents (digital + physical)
• Verify paperwork before shipment leaves US

Fix if it happens:

• Email copies to TMO, moving company, customs broker
• May delay clearance 7-14 days

Delay #2: Prohibited Items Found

Cause:

• Didn't know item was prohibited
• Movers packed something you didn't know about

Prevention:

• Purge before pack-out (go through EVERYTHING)
• Tell movers: "Don't pack [specific items]"
• Research destination country restrictions 60+ days ahead

Fix if it happens:

• Item confiscated (you don't get it back)
• Possible fine
• Clearance delayed 3-10 days

Delay #3: Agricultural Inspection (Japan, Australia, New Zealand)

Cause:

• Wooden furniture, plants, food items trigger inspection

Prevention:

• Limit wood items (or accept delay)
• Don't ship plants (give away before PCS)
• No food items in HHG

Fix if it happens:

• Wait for agricultural inspection (1-2 weeks)
• Items may be fumigated (adds cost, time)
• Items may be destroyed (no compensation)

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Taxes & Duties (When You Have to Pay)

Duty-Free Personal Effects

Usually exempt from taxes:

• Used household goods (furniture, clothes, kitchenware)
• Personal items (books, toys, decorations)
• Reasonable quantity

Why: Military diplomatic clearance + SOFA agreement (Status of Forces Agreement)

Taxable Items

May be taxed:

• New items (still in box, tags attached)
• Excessive quantity (10 TVs, 50 pairs of shoes = commercial import)
• Luxury goods (expensive jewelry, designer items)
• Vehicles (separate rules, often taxed)

Tax rates:

• Europe: 19-25% VAT
• Asia: 5-10% import duty + local consumption tax
• Can be $500-$5,000+ depending on value

How to avoid:

• Don't ship excessive new items
• If buying new stuff, remove packaging before shipment (looks "used")

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Action Steps

60 Days Before PCS:

1. ✅ Research destination country customs restrictions (Google "[Country] customs prohibited items military")
2. ✅ Purge prohibited items (give away, sell, dispose)
3. ✅ Gather required documents (orders, passports, etc.)

30 Days Before:

1. ✅ Coordinate with TMO (get customs forms, instructions)
2. ✅ Create detailed inventory (pre-pack walkthrough)
3. ✅ Remove anything questionable (if in doubt, don't ship)

Pack-Out Day:

1. ✅ Supervise movers (ensure prohibited items NOT packed)
2. ✅ Get detailed inventory list (review for accuracy)
3. ✅ Keep copies of all paperwork (digital + physical)

At Destination:

1. ✅ Monitor shipment status (TMO provides tracking)
2. ✅ Be available (customs may need additional info)
3. ✅ Arrange delivery once cleared (coordinate with moving company)

Delivery Day:

1. ✅ Inspect HHG (check for damage, missing items)
2. ✅ Note any issues on delivery inventory
3. ✅ File damage claims within 75 days if needed

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Related Guides

• OCONUS PCS Complete Guide
• POV Shipping During PCS
• Japan PCS Guide

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Remember: International customs clearance is manageable with preparation. Research destination country restrictions 60+ days ahead. Don't ship prohibited items (confiscation + fines + career risk). Keep multiple copies of documents (orders, passports, inventory). Timeline: 2-8 weeks from ship arrival to delivery (be patient). Most delays: Missing paperwork or prohibited items found (both preventable). Government handles most customs work (you just provide docs). Thousands PCS OCONUS successfully every year - you can too.