Pursuant to Decree n°93-698 of 05/04/1993, foreign heads of international press agencies and representations of foreign newspapers may benefit from total exemption from duties and taxes on import or acquisition from establishments operating under the fictitious warehouse regime: Of a private motor vehicle. Effects and movable goods. Of their working equipment. Consumable articles. Household equipment and items.
Importation of a private passenger vehicle
The granting of the exemption from duties and taxes for a motor vehicle is subject to the submission by the interested party of a tax privilege application form model 6.3.41 to the General Directorate of Customs (Tax Advantages Office), supported by the following documents:
- A copy of the accreditation card issued by the competent services of the Tunisian Agency for External Communication attesting to the status of the applicant.
- A certificate issued by the Tunisian Agency for External Communication intended for vehicle customs clearance.
- A copy of the vehicle registration card, the invoice or possibly the purchase contract issued in the name of the interested party.
Once the tax exemption is granted, the beneficiary shall submit to the Import Customs Office a detailed declaration accompanied by the duly endorsed request for tax exemption.
The vehicle admitted under the benefit of the Duty and Tax Exemption will be registered in the special series "RS" and will circulate under a renewable special circulation permit from year to year (or fraction of a year), upon presentation of the valid accreditation card.
The aforementioned favourable regime can be granted once every five years subject to regularising the situation of the first vehicle.
Importation of effects and movable goods
The benefit of the favourable regime for movable goods is subject to the filing of a tax privilege application using form 6.3.41 at the import customs office, supported by the following documents:
- A copy of the accreditation card issued by the Tunisian Agency for External Communication attesting to the status of the applicant.
- A certificate issued by the Tunisian Agency for External Communication intended for the customs clearance of movable effects and objects.
- A detailed statement of the effects concerned.
Once the tax advantage has been granted, the interested party must file a detailed declaration with the import customs office.
Importation of work equipment
To benefit from the exemption of duties and taxes on the importation or acquisition of working equipment, the interested party must submit to the import customs office a tax privilege application form model 6.3.41 accompanied by the detailed list of equipment duly stamped by the Tunisian Agency for External Communication and a copy of the accreditation card issued by said agency.
Once the privilege has been granted, the beneficiary must file a detailed declaration with the same customs office.
Importation of consumable products
Foreign correspondents of the international press are authorized to procure, from establishments operating under the fictitious warehouse regime, consumer goods and foodstuffs intended for their personal and family consumption, up to a limit of two hundred fifty U.S. dollars per month (or its equivalent in another currency). The favourable regime is granted directly upon removal without prior authorization from customs services and without filing a detailed declaration.
Importation or acquisition of equipment and household items
Foreign heads of international press agencies and representations of foreign newspapers benefit from the exemption from duties and taxes on import or acquisition, from establishments operating under the fictitious warehouse regime, of equipment and household items for a value not exceeding five hundred US dollars per quarter (or their equivalent in another currency).