VISAS
& CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
Visas
Tourists holding valid US or Canadian passports are not required to
have a visa for stays of less than 90 days. Passports must be valid
for at least another six months from the planned date of arrival into
Hungary. All other questions should be addressed to the nearest Hungarian
Consulate.
Health Requirements
No immunizations are required.
Currency Regulations
Foreign nationals may bring in Hungarian currency up to a value of 350,000
Ft per person without any restriction on denominations. There is no
restriction on the importing of convertible currencies if the amount
does not exceed the equivalent of 100,000 Ft. For the import of currencies
over this amount, it is advisable to request a "Certification of
Values Entered " at the time of entry. This will ensure that the
means of payment can be taken out of the country without any problem.
Customs Regulations
In addition to personal travel luggage, limited non-commercial quantities
of goods may be brought into Hungary duty free:
Alcohol - 1 liter of high proof spirits, 1 liter of wine and 5 liters
of beer
Tobacco - 250 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 250g tobacco
Coffee, tea, cocoa and other spices - up to 1kg each (excluding paprika
and its mixtures)
Other Goods - Customs duty does not apply if the total value of the
goods, in addition to the personal travel luggage, does not exceed 27,000
Ft
Pets - Accompanying pets must have health and vaccination certification
dated no more than one week prior to arrival.
Appliances - photo camera, non-professional video camera, laptop computer,
portable typewriter, portable musical equipment with the necessary accessories
- such as disks, records, photographic films up to 10 rolls.
Leaving Hungary
Items purchased
or received as a gift worth up to 200,000 Ft are not subject to custom
fees.
VAT Refund
Non-resident travelers may apply for a refund of up to 16% of the general
sales tax (AFA) on goods purchased in Hungary, with the exception of
works of art, collections and antiques, under the following conditions:
- The single or total value of the goods on one original invoice, including
AFA, must exceed 50,000 Ft.
- Not more than 90 days may elapse between the time of purchase and
the time of export.
- The goods must be taken out of the country in new condition; that
is, they may not be used in Hungary.
- At the time of departure the purchase must be presented to the customs
officer, together with the AFA refund claim form at the time of departure.
- At the time of
departure the purchase must be presented to the customs officer, together
with the AFA refund claim form, a detailed fiscal invoice and the Tax
Free Envelope. These 3 items must be obtained from the place of purchase.
You should also retain the receipts of your currency exchange for Ft
and enclose it with your documents. If using a credit card, enclose
the credit card receipt. Make sure to get the a customs stamp or the
refund is not possible. If departing Hungary by plane, you should go
to the customs office immediately after receiving your boarding pass
at check-in and before you pass security control. You may receive your
VAT refund in cash immediately at the airport (look for the VAT refund
desk at the IBUSZ office) or by bank check sent to your home address
or as a payment directly to your credit card. Mail refunds must be requested
no more than 6 months after date of purchase.
More information: Global Refund, Phone: (800) KNOW-VAT, Website: www.globalrefund.com,
E-mail: taxfree@us.globalrefund.com
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