Consulate General in Guangzhou

What is the Return to Uruguay procedure?

Persons who have resided abroad and decide to return to Uruguay may, depending on their circumstances, qualify for one of the regimes that allow certain goods to be imported free of taxes and duties.

There are two different regimes. Before initiating the procedure, it is therefore important to carefully determine which one is most appropriate for your particular circumstances.

Permanent, one-time return (Decree No. 330/008)

Uruguayan nationals who have resided abroad for more than two years, decide to return permanently to Uruguay and wish to import household goods, tools related to their profession, trade or occupation and/or a vehicle they own may apply under the regime established by Article 76 of Law No. 18,250 and its Regulatory Decree No. 330/008.

The procedure must be initiated before the Consulate sufficiently in advance of the journey and before the goods are shipped. Applicants must contact the Consulate General of Uruguay in Guangzhou by email, indicating their intended return date and the goods they wish to import.

The guide available at the end of this publication provides details on the requirements, necessary documentation, applicable time limits and procedures that must be continued after arrival in Uruguay. Applicants are advised to read it carefully before initiating the procedure.

Return regime for household goods (Decree No. 139/014)

The guide also contains information on the regime established by Decree No. 139/014, which allows Uruguayan and foreign nationals who have resided abroad for more than one year to import household goods and professional tools, but not vehicles.

Under this regime, and provided that the requirements established by the regulations in force are met, the interested person may import the following goods free of foreign-exchange formalities and exempt from all customs duties, taxes and related charges: furniture and other household effects used to furnish their home, as well as tools, machinery, equipment and instruments related to the practice of their profession, trade or occupation.

Who may complete this procedure?

The following persons may qualify for the permanent-return regime established by Law No. 18,250:

• Persons born in Uruguay.
• Uruguayan nationals born abroad whose mother or father is Uruguayan, pursuant to Law No. 16,021.
• Uruguayan nationals born abroad whose grandmother or grandfather is Uruguayan, pursuant to Law No. 19,362.

Uruguayan legal citizens and foreign nationals are not covered by this regime. However, they may inquire whether they qualify under Decree No. 139/014 to import household goods and professional tools.

Consular jurisdiction

The Consulate General of Uruguay in Guangzhou (Consulado General del Uruguay en Guangzhou) accepts applications from persons residing in Guangdong, Fujian, Hunan, Hainan, Guizhou and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Persons residing outside this jurisdiction must contact the corresponding consular office, which may be identified through the Consular Map (Mapa Consular) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores).

Required documentation

As a general rule, the following must be submitted:

• Identity document and/or passport.
• Documentation establishing residence abroad.
• A typed, printed and signed list of the household goods intended for importation. Handwritten lists and packing lists prepared by the shipping company will not be accepted.
• If professional tools or equipment are to be imported, a separate list and documentation establishing the corresponding profession, trade or occupation.

How is the procedure initiated?

• Before moving or shipping the goods, the interested person must contact the Consulate General of Uruguay in Guangzhou (Consulado General del Uruguay en Guangzhou) and submit the corresponding documentation in digital format.
• Once the application has been reviewed, the Consulate will indicate whether additional information is required and will arrange an appointment for the applicant to appear in person, present the original documents and sign the corresponding declarations.
• Applicants are advised to initiate their inquiry sufficiently in advance and not to make final transportation arrangements until they have confirmed with the Consulate which regime applies and what documentation is required.
• The procedure initiated before the Consulate must be continued in person in Uruguay before the Return and Welcome Office (Oficina de Retorno y Bienvenida) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores) and, depending on the circumstances, before the Ministry of Economy and Finance (Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas) and the National Customs Directorate (Dirección Nacional de Aduanas).

Important: Persons who have already returned to Uruguay must initiate the procedure before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores) within 60 consecutive calendar days following their entry into the country. Applicants are advised to contact the Return and Welcome Office (Oficina de Retorno y Bienvenida) immediately after arrival.

Cost

Consular procedures relating to the permanent return of Uruguayan nationals and members of their family unit who meet the conditions established by Law No. 18,250 are free of charge.

Under Decree No. 139/014, Uruguayan nationals are not required to pay a fee for this procedure. For foreign nationals, the fee is USD 252, payable in Chinese yuan (RMB). The amount payable in local currency will be determined according to the exchange rate in effect at the time the procedure is completed. Payment must be made by bank deposit using the account details provided on the day of the appointment.

Important note: The exemption does not cover transportation, insurance, storage, warehousing, port handling or other private services associated with moving the goods. Hiring a customs broker is not mandatory, although the interested person may choose to use one.

Further information

Before initiating the procedure, applicants are advised to carefully read the Return Guide of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Guía de Retorno del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores), available for download at the bottom of this page. It provides further details on the requirements, commitments, time limits and procedures that must be completed in Uruguay.