Send Luggage From the USA to Austria
Introduction: Ship Luggage from the USA to Austria
Shipping Luggage and Personal Effects from the USA to Austria
Austria sits at the centre of Europe and consistently ranks among the continent’s most liveable countries. It draws American professionals to Vienna’s international organisations, researchers to its universities, musicians and artists to its cultural institutions, and expats and retirees to its alpine regions. For all of them, the question at some point is the same: how do you get your personal belongings there without paying a fortune in customs charges?
The answer, for most people genuinely relocating to Austria, is that your used personal effects can be imported duty-free and MwSt-free. Austria’s relocation goods process — known in German as Übersiedlungsgut — allows you to bring your clothing, furniture, electronics, books, sports equipment, and other personal belongings to Austria without paying import duty or Austrian MwSt (20%), provided you meet the conditions set by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF).
The conditions are specific and the paperwork matters. This page explains who qualifies, what the Austrian customs process looks like, which BMF form you need, and what to do with items that fall outside the standard personal effects exemption.
ExpediShip handles pickup from your US address, all export documentation, air freight transit, and delivery to any Austrian address. We advise on what to prepare and coordinate with our Austrian clearance partners so your luggage clears efficiently.
Not shipping personal belongings? If you’re sending a gift box or product samples to Austria, see our box shipping page . For donation pallets or tradeshow freight to Messe Wien or Messe Graz, see our pallet shipping page .
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Who Ships Luggage and Personal Effects from the USA to Austria?
Who Ships Luggage and Personal Effects from the USA to Austria?
Professionals Relocating to Vienna for International Organisations
Vienna is one of the world’s four official UN city headquarters alongside New York, Geneva, and Nairobi. The city hosts the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization), UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime), OPEC headquarters, and dozens of other international organisations and agencies. Americans who take up positions with these organisations — or with the many NGOs, diplomatic missions, and international bodies located near them — relocate to Vienna regularly and need to ship personal effects from the USA.
Musicians, Artists, and Cultural Professionals
Vienna has one of the world’s most active classical music and performing arts scenes. The Vienna Philharmonic, Vienna State Opera, Musikverein, Konzerthaus, and dozens of smaller institutions attract American musicians, conductors, and performing artists for residencies, positions, and study programmes. Personal effects — instruments, equipment, clothing, and personal items — frequently follow them from the USA. For instruments that require special packing, see our crate shipping service.
Students and Academic Researchers
Austria’s universities — the University of Vienna (the oldest German-language university in continuous operation), Vienna University of Technology, Medical University of Vienna, and others — attract American students and Fulbright researchers. Shipping one or two bags of personal belongings is more practical than paying airline overweight fees on a transatlantic flight.
Americans Retiring or Living Long-Term in Austria
Austria has a small but established community of American long-term residents and retirees, particularly in Vienna, Salzburg, and the alpine regions. Many ship personal belongings when establishing a new Austrian residence.
Austrians Returning After Years in the USA
Austrian nationals who have been living and working in the USA and are returning home use ExpediShip to ship accumulated personal belongings back to Austria. The Übersiedlungsgut process for returning Austrians follows the same conditions as for first-time immigrants, with some specifics around proof of prior foreign residence. The Austrian BMF website at bmf.gv.at/en/topics/customs/tax-and-duty-free-import-of-relocation-goods.html (https://bmf.gv.at/en/topics/customs/tax-and-duty-free-import-of-relocation-goods.html) has the official conditions.
Shipping Cost & Transit Time for Shipping Luggage from the USA to Austria
Our prices are highly competitive — that’s why so many customers choose Expediship for shipping from the USA to Austria. We offer affordable rates with reliable, professional service, guiding you step by step through the entire shipping process for boxes, luggage, and parcels.
Delivery to Austria typically takes around 5 business days, not including customs clearance time, which may vary depending on Austria government processing.
Below are estimated starting prices for shipping Luggage from the USA to Austria. Final cost depends on box size, pickup address, and delivery city.
| Weight Range | Starting Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| 1–10 lbs | From $35 |
| 11–20 lbs | From $75 |
| 21–30 lbs | From $105 |
| 31–40 lbs | From $135 |
| 41–50 lbs | From $155 |
| 51–60 lbs | From $185 |
| 61–80 lbs | From $205 |
| 81+ lbs | From $225 — for larger shipments, please contact customer service for an exact quote. |
Note: Prices are estimated starting rates for air freight shipments. Expediship offers door-to-door service with full tracking and customs guidance.
Übersiedlungsgut: Austria's Duty-Free Process for Importing Personal Effects
Übersiedlungsgut: Austria’s Duty-Free Process for Importing Personal Effects
Übersiedlungsgut is the German-language term used by Austrian customs for relocation goods — personal belongings imported duty-free as part of a permanent change of residence to Austria. The process is administered by the BMF (Bundesministerium für Finanzen) and follows EU regulations on relief from customs duties for personal property of persons transferring their normal place of residence.
The official BMF page on relocation goods is at bmf.gv.at/en/topics/customs/tax-and-duty-free-import-of-relocation-goods.html
The four conditions for duty-free and MwSt-free import
To qualify for the Übersiedlungsgut exemption, all four of the following conditions must be met:
First: you are transferring your normal place of residence from the USA (a non-EU country) to Austria. This must be a genuine transfer — a holiday home or secondary residence does not qualify. Austria must become your primary place of residence.
Second: you have been normally resident outside the EU for at least 12 consecutive months before the move. Austrian customs will ask for documentation proving you lived in the USA during this period.
Third: the goods have been owned and used by you personally for at least 6 months before you move to Austria. Brand-new items, items still in original packaging, or items purchased specifically for the move do not qualify as Übersiedlungsgut. Austrian customs can and does check this — the inventory you submit should describe items as “used” and, if possible, note the approximate year of purchase.
Fourth: you will not sell, lend, rent, pledge, or otherwise transfer the goods within 12 months of importing them. By claiming the Übersiedlungsgut exemption, you are declaring that these goods are for your personal use in Austria, not for commercial distribution.
When must the goods arrive?
Austrian customs allows relocation goods to be imported either before or after you establish your Austrian residence, but with time limits. Goods can be imported starting 6 months before you establish residence and must arrive within 12 months of establishing residence. Shipments arriving outside this window will not qualify for the exemption and will be assessed at standard MwSt and duty rates.
What is specifically excluded from the exemption?
Alcohol and tobacco are always excluded from the Übersiedlungsgut exemption — excise duty applies to them regardless of the relocation context. New items purchased in the USA specifically for the move (still in original packaging, with current receipts) will not qualify. Commercial quantities of goods — multiple units of the same product — will raise questions about whether the items are genuinely for personal use.
The Austrian Customs Form for Relocation Goods: What to Submit
The Austrian Customs Form for Relocation Goods: What to Submit
To claim the Übersiedlungsgut duty-free exemption when shipping personal effects to Austria, you need to submit a formal application to Austrian customs. The process differs slightly from Germany’s Form 0350 — Austria uses its own application procedure administered by the BMF.
What to submit and when
You must submit a written application to the Austrian customs office in whose jurisdiction you will be living before your goods arrive, or as soon as possible after arrival. The BMF recommends submitting in advance. Contact the relevant regional customs office (Zollamt) for your Austrian city. The list of Austrian customs offices is available at bmf.gv.at Documents you need to include with your application:
A detailed inventory of all items being imported. Use general category descriptions (“used clothing — 20 items,” “used household electronics — laptop, camera, portable speakers”) rather than listing every sock, but include significant items individually. Note that all goods are used and include approximate year of purchase where relevant. Items valued over €5,000 individually should be listed separately with a description and estimated value.
A copy of your valid passport or national identity document.
Proof that you have lived in the USA for at least 12 consecutive months before your move to Austria. This can be: your most recent US lease agreement, utility bills in your name showing a US address, your US employer’s confirmation of your employment period and address, bank statements showing a US address, or a combination of these.
Proof of your Austrian address or confirmation that you are in the process of establishing Austrian residence. A signed Austrian tenancy agreement, a letter from an Austrian employer confirming your new place of work and residence, or a declaration of intention to register your residence in Austria.
A signed declaration confirming that you will not sell, lend, or otherwise transfer the imported goods within 12 months.
ExpediShip will provide guidance on preparing this documentation when you book your personal effects shipment to Austria. Our Austrian clearance partners coordinate the customs application on your behalf.
Items That Require Extra Attention in a Personal Effects Shipment to Austria
Items That Require Extra Attention in a Personal Effects Shipment to Austria
Most used personal belongings clear Austrian customs without complications under the Übersiedlungsgut process. A few categories are worth being aware of specifically.
Alcohol and tobacco: these are excluded from the Übersiedlungsgut exemption and are subject to Austrian excise duty regardless of the relocation context. A box of wine or a few bottles of American spirits in your personal effects will be assessed for Austrian Alkoholsteuer (spirits duty) and MwSt. If you want to include alcohol in your shipment, declare it accurately and separately from the other household goods, and expect the recipient to pay excise duty on arrival.
Firearms and weapons: Austria has strict regulations on the import of firearms, ammunition, and certain other weapons. A permit from the Austrian authorities is required before importing. Do not pack firearms or ammunition in personal effects without prior authorisation.
Wireless and electronic devices: most personal electronics — phones, laptops, tablets, cameras — can be imported without restriction as personal effects. However, wireless transmitting devices (routers, certain smart home devices, radio equipment) must comply with EU telecommunications regulations. Austrian personal electronics certification information is available through RTR (Rundfunk und Telekom Regulierungs-GmbH) at rtr.at
Plants and food items: live plants and plant products require a phytosanitary certificate for import into Austria and the EU. Most fresh food cannot be imported internationally. Commercially sealed, non-perishable packaged food may be included in personal effects shipments, but declare it accurately on the inventory. Austrian food import rules fall under EU regulations administered by AGES (Österreichische Agentur für Gesundheit und Ernährungssicherheit) at ages.at .
Insurance Options for Shipping Boxes, Pallets, Crates, or Luggage from the USA to Austria
Every shipment automatically includes $100 of cargo insurance free of charge — if anything is lost or damaged, you are covered up to $100 at no extra cost. Need more protection? Add full coverage for just 3% of the declared value when requesting your quote. For eligibility rules, non-insurable items, and how claims work, see our Shipping Insurance Guide.
International Shipping Prohibitions and Restrictions
Ship from USA to Austria — Know What You Cannot Ship
Certain items cannot be received, stored, shipped, imported, or exported due to government regulations, safety concerns, or international trade laws. Transactions involving these commodities are strictly prohibited, regardless of the shipment’s origin or destination.
Note: These items are completely forbidden to be exported or imported between countries.
Shipping Process
Ship Box or luggage from USA to Austria
Frequently Asked Questions When Shipping Luggage and personal effects from USA to Austria
No, if you qualify for the Übersiedlungsgut exemption. Used personal belongings imported as part of a genuine permanent relocation from the USA to Austria are exempt from customs duty and Austrian MwSt (20%), provided you have lived outside the EU for at least 12 consecutive months, the items have been owned and used for at least 6 months, and you import them within 12 months of establishing Austrian residence. The official Austrian government page on relocation goods is at bmf.gv.at/en/topics/customs/tax-and-duty-free-import-of-relocation-goods.html .
Via air freight, personal effects shipments from the USA to Austria typically arrive in approximately 5 business days. Austrian customs clearance for well-documented Übersiedlungsgut shipments is generally efficient when the application and inventory are submitted in advance.
On a transatlantic flight to Austria, airline overweight and excess baggage fees typically run USD 100 to 200 or more per extra bag. ExpediShip’s door-to-door luggage shipping starts from $32 for small bags, with customs support, full tracking, and no airport queues included.