Part of our Moving to Europe, Australia & New Zealand guide
Moving to Austria from the USA (2026 Guide)
Customs relief, documents, ports and delivery for shipping household goods from the United States to Austria.
Short answer
Used household goods moved from the U.S. to Austria enter free of import duty and VAT under EU transfer-of-residence relief if you lived outside the EU for 12 continuous months and used the goods for at least 6 months. You declare them on Austrian customs form ZBefr 2E (or apply with ZBefr 2aE) within 12 months of settling. Austria is landlocked, so containers land at a North Sea or Adriatic port and finish by truck or rail.
Duty-free import rules for Austria
Standard EU removal-goods relief applies: at least 12 months living outside the EU, goods owned and used for at least 6 months, and import within 12 months of moving. Full EU conditions are on our customs guide.
- Only used goods qualify; new items are not relocation goods.
- Declare on form ZBefr 2E, or apply for a decision on form ZBefr 2aE if 2E does not fit your case.
- Apply for a basic assessment notice before import if you ship a vehicle, keep a home outside the EU, or ship before you settle.
Official source: BMF: transferring residence from a non-EU country.
Confirm a mover's FMC license and any association claim in associations and licensing, and read reviews with where to research international mover reviews. More official customs offices are listed on those pages and in the customs guide.
Ports and delivery
Austria has no seaport. U.S. containers usually arrive via Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, Koper or Trieste and continue by rail or truck to Vienna, Graz, Salzburg or Linz. Your mover's destination agent clears customs and delivers to your new home. Common delivery cities include Vienna, Graz, Salzburg, Innsbruck.
Good to know
Customs may ask for proof of foreign residence, your Austrian registration (Meldezettel), a lease and an employment contract. A car is duty-free as relocation goods, but Austria's NoVA vehicle tax is still due when you first register it.
Getting quotes for Austria
Ask every mover to price the same surveyed volume door to door, and check each line against our quote checklist. Pick a method in shipping methods, and check restricted items before you pack.
Licensed movers for Austria
Compare the licensed movers we work with on our 2026 rankings: Sunset International Shipping, Shepherd International Movers, Schmidt International Relocations, My International Movers.
General information, not legal or immigration advice. Confirm current rules with the official customs office before you ship.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay duty on household goods moving to Austria?
Not on used goods if you lived outside the EU for 12 months, used them for 6 months, and clear them within 12 months of settling.
What customs form does Austria use for household goods?
Form ZBefr 2E. If it does not fit your situation, apply for a decision with form ZBefr 2aE.
Do I pay tax on a car I ship to Austria?
The car can be duty-free as relocation goods, but the NoVA consumption tax is due when you first register it in Austria.
How long does it take to ship household goods to Austria?
It depends on the U.S. departure port, the sailing schedule, transshipments, and whether you use a full or shared container. Ask each mover for the port-to-port transit time and the door-to-door estimate in writing.
Which movers can ship my belongings to Austria?
Sunset International Shipping, Shepherd International Movers, Schmidt International Relocations and My International Movers — the four licensed movers we work with — handle international household moves. Request free quotes from the four we work with with one form.
Get free quotes from licensed movers
One short form for International Moving Company. Pick items from the inventory list or upload a quick video walkthrough. Your request is shared with Sunset International Shipping, Shepherd International Movers, Schmidt International Relocations and My International Movers so you can compare their quotes. Free, no obligation.