There are various import restrictions and prohibitions you have to be aware of when travelling to Iceland. For more information please also check the website of Iceland Revenue and Customs.

 

Food

Travellers may import duty-free up to 10 kg of food, including candy, not exceeding the value of ISK 25,000. Travellers are not allowed to import meat and dairy products from outside the European Economic Area to Iceland, this includes 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, as well as Beef Jerky. Meat and meat products have to be fully cooked in order to be allowed into the country. See the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority's website for further information.

Alcoholic beverages and tobacco

In addition to goods referred to above, travellers can import duty-free alcoholic beverages and tobacco products as follows:

Alcoholic beverages:
1 liter spirits and 0.75 liter wine and 3 liters beer or
3 liters wine and 6 liters beer or
1 liter spirits and 6 liters beer or
1,5 liters wine and 12 liters beer or
18 liters beer

Spirits comprise alcoholic beverages containing more than 21% alcohol; wines comprise alcoholic beverages, other than beer, containing 21% alcohol or less.

Tobacco:
200 cigarettes or
250 g of other tobacco products

The minimum age for bringing alcoholic beverages into Iceland is 20 years and 18 years for tobaccos.

 

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 on arrival.

 

Used riding gear

It is prohibited to import to the country used riding gear, including saddles, bridles, halters and whips of leather.

 

Live Animals

Live animals may be imported only with a permit from MAST (Icelandic food and veterinary authority).

 

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.

If a traveller suspects that the importation of any item, which he is bringing to Iceland, might be restricted or prohibited, he should declare and produce it at customs at his own initiative.

 

Tax free - VAT 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. Customs authorities encourage visitors to Iceland to respect and understand that nature is an important, but delicate, resource of permanent value.