Shipping your belongings to Prague: movers, customs and timing

You have a flat in Prague, a sofa you love and a bookcase that took three people to carry upstairs. Does any of it come with you, and how? For many people the honest answer is less than they think, and it is worth working out why before anyone quotes you a price.

Decide what is worth shipping

Cost follows volume and distance, so start with a ruthless sort. What to bring when you move to Prague splits items that travel well from those to buy locally. Ship what is personal or irreplaceable, and rebuy what is bulky and standard. Big furniture, mattresses and large appliances are usually easier to replace in Prague than to haul across a continent, and many Prague rentals come furnished, which removes the biggest items from the list.

Electrical goods need thought. Czechia runs on 230 V with the European plug (plugs, sockets and voltage), and a heavy appliance from another voltage zone may need a transformer that costs more than a new one. If a pet is part of the move, it has its own timetable; see moving to Czechia with a dog or cat.

Pick a method

Parcel services suit a handful of boxes. A shared shipment, often called groupage, puts your goods with others in one load. A full van or container is easiest to plan and costs the most. Within the EU road freight is the norm; from overseas sea freight is common and takes weeks, not days (as of 2026; check your mover).

Quotes, and what to ask

Collect at least three written quotes against the same inventory. A serious mover wants to see your goods, or at least a video, rather than quote from a list. Ask:

• whether packing, loading, unloading and stairs are included,
• what the insurance covers and what the excess is,
• the delivery window, and what happens if it slips,
• who clears customs and who pays any charges that come up,
• storage fees if your flat is not ready.

Check independent reviews and that the company is properly registered. A deposit is normal; the full price up front is not. If something goes wrong, the Czech Trade Inspection Authority (ČOI) handles consumer complaints about businesses operating in Czechia (as of 2026; check ČOI). For a mover abroad, the national consumer body is your first stop.

Customs, in plain terms

From another EU country household goods move freely, though the mover may want an inventory.

From outside the EU goods normally go through customs. Relief from duty exists on the transfer of normal residence into the EU, subject to conditions. Vehicles, alcohol and tobacco follow separate rules. Do not guess: check the Customs Administration (Celní správa) or ask your mover which documents are needed and whether anything must be requested before the goods arrive (as of 2026; check the Customs Administration). Keep your passport, residence papers or a copy of your lease close, because the file usually has to show that you are moving.

Timing, working backwards

The Prague side

A van needs somewhere to stop. In many central streets parking is tight and loading may need a permit, so ask the mover who arranges it. Do not assume the lift takes a sofa; old Prague buildings often have narrow stairs and small lifts, and the crew should know in advance. Before you ship a sofa, ask whether the flat is furnished. Part of the rental market is covered by listings of new-build flats to rent (in Czech), and the first month in a rental covers the move-in routine.

Cars are a separate project, involving customs treatment, registration and technical checks that differ for EU and non-EU vehicles, so ask the Customs Administration and the registration office first. A bicycle is easier in a bike box. List musical instruments, art and electronics with their value, insure them separately and photograph everything before packing; if a box arrives damaged, the photo and the delivery note are your evidence. The paperwork side of the move is also what relocation services sell, if you would rather pay someone to handle it.

Frequently asked questions

Do I pay customs duty on my own furniture from outside the EU?

Not necessarily. Relief exists for people moving residence into the EU, with conditions. Check with the Customs Administration or your mover.

Should I insure my goods?

Yes. Read what the mover's cover includes and consider separate insurance for valuables.

Can I send a few boxes by post?

Yes, for small amounts. Check weight and size limits and whether you or the courier handles customs.

Walk through your home with a notebook and write two lists: ship, and rebuy in Prague.