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Honduran Absentee Law: Benefits and How to Take Advantage of Them

The Honduran Absentee Law is a benefit that allows Hondurans residing abroad to bring products and goods into Honduras without paying taxes. This benefit applies to individuals who have lived outside the country for at least two years and can bring personal items, appliances, tools, and even vehicles, as long as they are not for commercial purposes.

We will explain here what the Honduran Absentee Law entails, along with the steps to take advantage of the law and where you need to go. We will provide information on the necessary consular procedures and the required documents you need to present. Additionally, you will find details about the validity of the law, the list of products you can bring to Honduras, and some useful tips.

Who Can Benefit from the Honduran Absentee Law?

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Hondurans who have lived abroad for more than two years. The law allows you to bring more than 50 items without paying the corresponding customs duties. This benefit can only be used once every five years.

Where Should You Go?

To take advantage of this law, you must visit the nearest Honduran consulate. There, you will need to present the required documents and receive the certification that will allow you to import your goods.

Here are the Honduran consulates so you can locate the one nearest to you:

In addition to the established consulates in various states of the U.S., Honduras also offers mobile consulates. These are designed to reach areas in the United States where there are no permanent consular offices, thus expanding coverage and providing assistance to more Hondurans. You can find the schedule of Mobile Honduran Consulates in the United States for today Thursday 13 February 2025

Requirements and Documents

The main requirements you will need to provide are as follows:

  • Honduran Passport and identity card.
  • Proof of residence abroad (such as utility bills or a rental contract).
  • Detailed list of the products you wish to import.

Honduran Consular Procedures

Here are the consular procedures you can check to find the specific procedure you need to complete in order to take advantage of the law:

Tips for Successfully Using the Law

By following these tips below, you can effectively use the Honduran Absentee Law and take full advantage of the benefits it offers:

  • Communication with the Consulate: It is essential to contact the consulate to receive guidance and avoid mistakes in your application.
  • Optimize the Benefit: Make sure the goods you plan to import meet the requirements for tax exemption.
  • Planning: Consider how often you can use this benefit, as it is only available once every five years.

Honduras Online Customs Declaration

To take advantage of the Honduran Absentee Law and bring goods into Honduras without paying taxes, it is essential to meet all customs requirements. One key step is to make the Honduras online customs declaration, which facilitates the registration of the goods you want to bring into the country. This process will help you expedite customs procedures upon arrival, ensuring everything is in order and that you can fully benefit from the tax exemption.

List of Benefits Under the Law

The main advantage is the tax exemption on personal goods, which can represent significant savings.

List of items you can bring into the country without paying taxes:

Products and GoodsProportion and Quantities
Clothing items (per type) for personal use12
Bedding items (e.g., comforters, sheets, blankets)6
Shower and window curtains (per type)6
Table and kitchen linens (per type)6
Towels (per type) for bathroom and hand use6
Rugs for living rooms, bathrooms, and bedrooms3
Shoes, tennis shoes, and sandals (per type)12
Personal accessories (watches, bracelets, rings, chains, sunglasses)6
Handbags for women and wallets (per type)6
Personal hygiene items (per type)12
Skincare products (per type)12
Beauty products (per type)6
Manual guitar1
Men’s cologne3
Women’s perfume3
Books12
Laptop1
Tablet1
Coffee maker1
TV up to 55 inches1
Vacuum cleaner1
Blender1
Toaster1
Mobile phone2

How Long Is the Honduran Absentee Law Valid?

The benefits of this legislation are available only from November 15 to January 15 each year, coinciding with the holiday season. You can only take advantage of this opportunity once, as it will be recorded in the entry identification document by the authorities. This means that a note will be made in your Honduran passport or the passport of the country where the citizen resides.