Custom Rules and Travelers
Duty-free imports
Food
Travelers may import duty-free up to 3 kg of food, including candy, not exceeding the value of ISK 18.500.Alcoholic beverages and tobaccos
In addition to the goods referred to above, travelers can import alcoholic beverages and tobacco products duty-free as follows:- Alcohol 1 liter spirits and 1 liter wine or
- 3 liters wine
- 1 liter spirits and 6 liters beer or
- 1,5 liter wine and 6 liters beer
Spirits comprise alcoholic beverages containing more than 21% alcohol; wines comprise alcoholic beverages, other than beer, containing 21% alcohol or less.
Tobaccos
- 200 cigarettes or 250 g of other tobacco products
Angling gear and riding clothing
Angling gear and riding clothing, which has been used outside Iceland, including gloves, boots and waders, may be brought into the country if it has been disinfected according to valid regulations. A certificate of disinfection, issued by an authorized veterinary officer, will be acceptable, if presented to customs. If such a certificate is not presented, the gear has to be disinfected at the possessors' own cost upon arrival. Used riding gear It is prohibited to import used riding gear, including saddles, bridles, halters and whips of leather to the country.
Prohibited articles
Among articles, which are prohibited from importation, are the following types of products:- Narcotics and dangerous drugs
- Uncooked meat and various meat products, e.g. dried meat, uncooked smoked ham, bacon, saddle of pork, smoked uncooked sausages (e.g. salami), uncooked poultry etc. Meat and meat products have to be fully cooked in order to be allowed into the country.
- Uncooked milk and uncooked eggs
- Various weapons, e.g. daggers with blades exceeding 12 cm, switchblade knives and flick stilettos, knuckles and various truncheons, crossbows and handcuffs
- Finely powdered snuff. Moist snuff to be used orally, also available in bags
General conditions of duty-free admission
Customs exemptions apply to goods which the traveler concerned has in his possession upon arrival to Iceland and is able to produce to customs for examination. Duty-free importation may also be permitted for unaccompanied baggage if the traveler is able to prove that the baggage would have qualified for duty-free admission if he had brought it with him. The goods must solely be intended for the personal use of the person concerned, his family or as gifts. Goods intended for sale or other commercial purposes may not be imported free of duty. On leaving Iceland travelers must take along the articles they imported duty-free in so far as they have not been expended in the country.Vehicles
Special regulations apply concerning the temporary duty-free importation of motor vehicles; cf. a special folder for further information.Value added tax refund
Tourists who reside abroad can claim a proportional VAT refund when shopping in Iceland. The refund is limited to purchases that are intended to be taken out of the country and amount to a minimum of ISK 4000 (including VAT), made at a single point of sale. The store personnel will fill out the necessary Tax Refund Cheque. The cheque and the purchased goods must be produced and made available for inspection upon departure no later than 3 months after purchase. When departing from Keflavik Airport the Tax Refund Cheque can be cashed in the currency of choice. Other departure points usually offer mail-refund services.Natural objects
The Nature Conservation Act is intended to ensure the protection of the diversity of habitats and landscapes, flora and fauna. In the Icelandic flora there are now 31 protected species of higher plants and it is forbidden to collect specimens of these species or damage them in any way. According to a legislation concerning bird-hunting and bird protection in Iceland, the export of birds, birds' eggs, eggshells and nests is strictly prohibited. Law protects all stalactites and stalagmites in caves throughout the country and it is forbidden to break or damage these in any way. Objects of historical or archaeological interest may not be taken out of the country without special permission from the Icelandic Museum of Natural History. The Directorate of Customs encourages visitors to Iceland to respect and understand that nature is an important, but delicate, resource of permanent value.
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