What you can bring or order to Iceland

The minimum age for importing alcohol is 20 years.

In luggage

Allowance: 6 units of alcohol

Import charges must be paid on quantities exceeding these limits. Individuals with Electronic IDs from Iceland can pay duties on dutiable goods in their luggage before arrival at rautthlid.is.

Imports by post or shipment

When importing alcohol, alcohol tax and 11% VAT must be paid.

You can estimate the total cost using the import charges calculator.

In luggage or shipments

Food supplements that contain prohibited substances or require a permit cannot be imported.

You can find a list of the most common prohibited ingredients on the website of the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority.

The same rules apply whether the products are:

• ordered from foreign online stores

• sent by individuals abroad

• brought with you in your luggage

If a shipment is stopped, the importer or recipient must request that the postal operator either returns or disposes of the goods. Products that require a permit from the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority will also be stopped.

All imports of food supplements for sale or distribution require an operating licence.

In luggage or by post or shipment

Gifts brought or sent to Iceland by individuals resident abroad on a special occasion are exempt from import charges, provided the following conditions are met:

• The value of the gift does not exceed 13,500 ISK. If no invoice is provided, the value must be assessed in consultation with customs authorities.

• The gift is sent for a specific occasion, such as a birthday, wedding, Christmas or confirmation.

• The gift is sent by a related individual residing abroad.

The exemption does not apply to alcohol or tobacco.

If multiple gifts are packed together

If it is clear that the gifts are intended for more than one recipient, each gift is assessed separately.

If no invoice is included

If no invoice accompanies the shipment, customs will estimate the value based on the likely retail price at the place of purchase. If the value exceeds 13,500 ISK, import charges are applied to the amount exceeding that threshold.

Wedding gifts

Wedding gifts may exceed 13,500 ISK, provided customs authorities consider them reasonable and appropriate. Such gifts must be received within 6 months of the wedding.

In luggage

You may bring medicines for personal use in quantities corresponding to a maximum of 100 days of use, provided that the amount is clearly justified.

Customs officers may require you to provide sufficient proof that the medicines are necessary in the stated quantity, for example by presenting a medical certificate.

Exception:
Anabolic steroids (androgenic hormones), peptide hormones and similar substances may only be carried in quantities corresponding to a maximum of 30 days of use.

Imports by post or shipment

It is not permitted to import medicines for personal use by post or shipments from countries outside the EEA.

See also: Rules on the import of medicines for personal use on the website of the Icelandic Medicines Agency and Act No. 84/2018 on the prohibition of certain performance-enhancing substances and drugs.

The minimum age for importing nicotine products is 18 years.

Nicotine products include:

• nicotine pouches,

• e-cigarettes,

• e-liquid for refilling e-cigarettes, whether it contains nicotine or not.

These rules do not apply to nicotine products classified as medicinal products or food products.

In luggage

When arriving in Iceland, you do not need to pay import charges on nicotine products up to:

• 20 units of nicotine products, or

• 20 disposable e-cigarettes with 2 ml tanks, or

• 40 ml of e-liquid for refill.

Import charges must be paid on quantities exceeding these limits. You can pay duties on dutiable goods in your luggage before arrival at rautthlid.is.

Imports by post or shipment

Individuals aged 18 or older may order nicotine products for personal use.

Import charges must be paid on nicotine products imported by post.

In luggage

When arriving in Iceland, you do not need to pay import charges on food up to:

• a maximum value of 25,000 ISK, and

• a maximum weight of 10 kilograms.

Import charges must be paid on quantities exceeding these limits. You can pay duties on dutiable goods in your luggage before arrival at rautthlid.is.

Imports by post or shipment

In general, it is permitted to import food products from the European Economic Area (EEA), provided the requirements of the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority are met.

It is not permitted to import:

• food products from countries outside the EEA (see further information on the website of the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority),

• raw meat products.

The minimum age for importing tobacco is 18 years.

It is not permitted to import oral tobacco (snus) or finely ground nasal snuff.

In luggage

When arriving in Iceland, you do not need to pay import charges on tobacco products up to:

• 200 cigarettes (one carton), or

• 250 grams of other tobacco.

Import charges must be paid on quantities exceeding these limits. You can pay duties on dutiable goods in your luggage before arrival at rautthlid.is.

Imports by post or shipment

It is not permitted to order tobacco to Iceland.

However, it is allowed to receive tobacco products sent from another individual in small quantities for personal use.

In luggage

Travelers resident in Iceland

When arriving in Iceland, travelers resident in Iceland may bring goods purchased during their trip up to the following limits:

• Adults: up to 88,000 ISK in total

• Children under 12: up to 44,000 ISK in total

The value is based on the retail price at the place of purchase.

Import charges must be paid on goods exceeding these limits. You can pay duties on dutiable goods in your luggage before arrival at rautthlid.is.

Customs inspection

At customs, you must present the goods and proof of purchase.

Goods must be for personal use only and must not be intended for sale or business purposes. See further details on the conditions for duty-free allowances.

Travellers resident abroad

Travellers resident abroad may bring:

• wedding gifts,

• other gifts up to a value of 13,500 ISK.

Import charges must be paid on amounts exceeding this value.

Wedding gifts may exceed 13,500 ISK, provided customs authorities consider them reasonable and appropriate. Such gifts must arrive within 6 months of the wedding.

Imports by post or shipment

Import charges must be paid on goods purchased abroad and sent to Iceland by post.

You can estimate the total cost using the import charges calculator.

It is not permitted to import narcotic or addictive substances to Iceland. That including cannabis for medicinal use.

Products containing CBD are subject to different legislation and regulatory authorities, and their legality therefore varies depending on the product type:

• CBD in food and nicotine products is prohibited (see the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority)

• CBD in medicinal products requires a permit from the Icelandic Medicines Agency

• CBD in cosmetics is permitted (see the Environment Agency of Iceland)

In luggage

Travelers may bring:

• a bouquet of cut flowers and branches (up to 25 plants),

• flower bulbs, root and stem tubers from Europe in unopened retail packaging (up to 2 kg),

• individual potted plants from Europe (up to 3 items).

By post or shipment

The import of flowers and other plants is generally subject to the following conditions:

• they must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by an official authority responsible for plant health in the country of origin, and

• a permit must be obtained from the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority.

Live animals

Importing live animals requires a permit from the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority, and compliance with quarantine requirements.

If animals are imported without the required permit, they must be euthanized.

Further information is available on the Government of Iceland website.

Preserved animals (animal specimens)

The import of preserved animals, animal parts, remains and ashes requires a permit from the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority.

Exotic animals and products

Anyone intending to import species or products listed in the annexes to Regulation No. 993/2004 on the implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) must obtain a CITES permit from the Environment Agency of Iceland.

Examples of items requiring a permit include:

• ivory artifacts,

• whalebone,

• walrus tusks,

• certain natural remedies containing products from CITES-listed species.

Such permits are required for all international trade, including imports and exports by wholesalers, private individuals, and most souvenirs made from products of the species covered by the regulation.

Travellers are, of course, not expected to carry such substances. The import of toxic and hazardous substances is governed by the Act on Chemicals No. 61/2013.

If there is suspicion that imported goods infringe intellectual property rights, the Customs authorities may suspend the customs clearance of the goods while the rights holder seeks provisional measures from the competent authorities and initiates legal proceedings.

This provision does not apply to small quantities of goods in travelers’ luggage or small consignments, provided they are not imported for commercial purposes.

See further information on customs inspections by the Icelandic Revenue and Customs authorities.

When transporting human remains or the ashes of a deceased person, a death certificate must be presented.

If you wish to scatter the ashes in Iceland, you must apply for permission from the District Commissioner of Northeast Iceland. See further information on permits for the scattering of ashes outside cemeteries.

Natural artifacts may not be exported from Iceland without a permit from the Icelandic Institute of Natural History, and subject to the conditions it sets in each case, in accordance with Article 15(4) of Act No. 60/1992 on the Icelandic Institute of Natural History and regional natural history institutes.

In luggage or shipments

Telecommunications equipment

• Telecommunications devices and equipment must be CE marked to confirm that they meet minimum requirements.

• Transmission equipment for wireless communications may only be owned, installed or used with a permit from the Electronic Communications Office (Fjarskiptastofa).

• Equipment that does not carry a CE marking is not allowed in Iceland.

See more about importing telecommunications equipment on the website of the Electronic Communications Office.

In luggage or by post or shipment

Tack (horse equipment)

It is not permitted to import used saddles, bridles, reins, muzzles or whips made of leather, as leather cannot be adequately disinfected.

See further information on the website of the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority.

Riding clothing

It is permitted to bring riding clothing that has been used abroad, provided it has been cleaned and disinfected before import.

If a certificate of disinfection from a foreign authority is not available, the clothing will be disinfected in Iceland at the owner’s expense.

See further information on the website of the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority.

Handling of unclean riding clothing at Keflavík Airport

Travelers who are unable to clean and disinfect used riding clothing before arrival may hand it in for cleaning at the red channel at Keflavík Airport.

• Unclean riding clothing must be presented in the red channel in sealed plastic bags.

• This includes items such as riding trousers, jackets, coats, shoes, boots and helmets. The service may also be used for other clothing and footwear used in equine environments abroad (excluding leather and waxed jackets).

Travelers must report to the red channel and present the clothing to customs officers. The items will be placed in designated containers, labelled with the owner’s details, and collected for cleaning. After cleaning, the clothing will be sent to the owner at their expense.

If unclean riding clothing is brought through the green channel, or if there is suspicion of this during inspection, it will be treated as smuggling. The items will be confiscated and the individual may be prosecuted. The same applies to postal or freight shipments containing unclean riding clothing.

This procedure does not apply to used tack, riding gloves or other horse-related equipment, as the import of such items is prohibited.

In luggage or by post or shipment

Importers, exporters, customs brokers (where applicable), travelers and crew are required to declare funds, including cash and bearer negotiable instruments (such as traveller’s cheques), when:

• they are brought into Iceland from abroad,

• they are taken out of Iceland, and

• their total value amounts to 10,000 euros or more, based on the official exchange rate at the time.

Customs authorities may seize funds if there is suspicion that they are connected to offences under the General Penal Code, in accordance with Article 162 of the Customs Act No. 88/2005. Such cases are referred to the police.

Similar rules apply in most of Iceland’s main trading partner countries.

How to declare funds

You must declare funds by completing form E-29, printing it and submitting it to customs at the point of departure or arrival. The form is also available from customs authorities.

In luggage or by post or shipment

Holders of a European Firearms Pass may bring the firearms listed in the pass and a reasonable quantity of ammunition into Iceland, provided that:

• the use of the firearms and ammunition is permitted in Iceland, and

• the stay does not exceed three months.

Sport shooters may be required to present confirmation of an invitation from a shooting club, and hunters may be required to provide confirmation from a landowner or a permit for reindeer hunting.

Anyone intending to import firearms or ammunition must contact the police in their district and obtain the necessary permits before import.

The import of firearms, ammunition and explosives is otherwise prohibited without a permit from the Police.

See also Act No. 16/1998 on Firearms.

In luggage or by post

Used fishing equipment may be imported, such as:

• rods,

• reels,

• hooks, lures and flies,

• waders,

• landing nets.

However, it is not permitted to use such equipment in freshwater fishing unless it has been disinfected beforehand, unless a valid certificate of disinfection is provided.

Disinfection of fishing equipment

Used fishing equipment may be imported, but it must be disinfected before being used in freshwater, unless sufficient proof of prior disinfection is available.

See further information on the website of the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority.

In luggage or by post or shipment

The import of certain weapons is prohibited.

Knives:
It is not permitted to import knives with a blade longer than 12 cm, switchblades, throwing knives or similar weapons.

Blunt weapons:
For example, brass knuckles, various types of batons, crossbows and handcuffs.

Imitations:
It is not permitted to import imitation weapons.

See further information on permits for importing weapons.