ORANJESTAD- Lately, the Aruba Customs has been receiving various questions regarding the application of exemption of household-moving goods, particularly when applicants have not completed their inscription at the Civil Registry Office of Aruba (Censo).

Aruba Customs would like to clarify that the fact that a person is not yet registered at the Censo is not a motive to deny the exemption of household goods. To prevent a person from being disadvantaged during the registration period, Customs applies a temporary procedure that allows the importation process to continue.

The procedure varies according to an individual’s circumstances:

1. Dutch passport holders who are coming to Aruba for work.

• Customs grants a temporary importation without a guarantee during the registration process at the Censo;
• After completing the registration, the individual must present proof of registration to Customs;
• Thereafter, Customs will change the status from temporary importation to permanent importation with an exemption for household-moving goods, provided that all other legal requirements have been met.

2. An Aruban who is returning to live in Aruba after having lived abroad.

• Customs grants a temporary importation without a guarantee during the registration process at the Censo;
• After completing the registration, the individual must present proof of registration to Customs;
• Customs will change the temporary importation to a permanent importation with exemption for household‑moving goods, provided all other applicable conditions are met.

3. A foreigner who is coming to work in Aruba with a valid permit.

• Customs grants a temporary importation with a guarantee during the registration process at the Censo;
• After completing the registration, the individual must present the proof of registration to Customs;
• Customs will change the temporary importation to a permanent importation with exemption for household‑moving goods, provided all other applicable conditions are met;
• The individual will receive back the amount that was deposited as the guarantee.

Aruba Customs emphasizes that all customs brokers are familiar with this procedure and can inform and guide their clients correctly to avoid confusion and unnecessary costs, such as demurrage (costs related to container delays), during the importation process.

For any questions regarding the importation of household‑moving goods, you may contact a customs broker or directly reach out to the Aruba Customs for official and concrete information.

The Aruba Customs hopes to have provided clarification on this topic to ensure a smooth moving process.