How to Tame the Customs Chaos?
When it comes to moving IT devices across borders, some countries are simply harder than others. Complex customs processes, stringent documentation requirements, and a lack of courier infrastructure can delay or derail your delivery. At Raal, we’ve shipped hundreds of devices across the globe. While many destinations are smooth sailing, others are minefields of bureaucracy, taxes, and delayed packages.
This guide covers the most complex countries to ship to and what you need to know to avoid customs chaos — so you can keep your teams productive, no matter where they are.
Imagine this: you’ve hired a remote engineer in Azerbaijan 🇦🇿
They’re excited, onboarded, and ready to go. You ship their laptop.
Then: Silence. Days pass. Then you hear from customs — they’re requesting a payment through a local bank transfer, and without it, your device sits in limbo...
This isn’t just Azerbaijan. Dozens of countries require extra documentation, approvals, and payments that aren’t obvious until your package is stuck. For tech teams trying to move fast, this can grind everything to a halt 🧑🏽💻
We’ve compiled a list of some of the most frustrating countries based on customs restrictions, documentation requirements, courier limitations, and import duties.
Here are some of the most frustrating countries to import IT equipment into:
1. Anguilla 🇦🇮
Nearly all imports are taxable unless specifically exempted.
Missing or vague invoice details result in major delays.
Requires precise item classification and value declaration.
2. Armenia 🇦🇲
Commercial invoices must include full technical specs, model numbers, and item descriptions.
Customs regularly asks for clarification, even when documentation is accurate.
Delays are common if local compliance agents aren’t involved.
3. Azerbaijan 🇦🇿
Prior government approval may be needed for tech or communication devices.
Duties and taxes often require pre-cleared local bank transfers.
Inconsistent enforcement of import rules.
4. Belarus 🇧🇾
Import duties between 5–15%, plus 20% VAT.
Frequent policy changes increase the risk of non-compliance.
Customs documentation must be translated into Russian.
5. Côte d’Ivoire 🇨🇮
CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) values must be included on invoices.
Exact content names, quantities, and values must match declared data.
Customs delays are common without pre-approved agents.
6. Cook Islands 🇨🇰
Requires HTS or Schedule B codes on all tech products.
High scrutiny for IT equipment due to dual-use concerns.
Delays caused by misclassified or incomplete documentation.
7. Cuba 🇨🇺
Heavily restricted by U.S. and international export controls.
EEI (Electronic Export Information) filings required for electronics.
Restrictions on computers, phones, and communication tools.
8. Georgia 🇬🇪
EU-style documentation required, including transport and insurance documents.
Physical inspections of goods are frequent.
Local representation or importer of record often needed.
9. Greenland 🇬🇱
Very limited courier and freight services.
All shipments must clear through centralized customs.
VAT and duties apply to all incoming goods.
10. Iran 🇮🇷
Subject to multiple layers of U.S. and EU sanctions.
Local business partnerships necessary to navigate bureaucracy.
Communication equipment and laptops require special permissions.
11. Yemen 🇾🇪
Security situation affects all international shipments.
Customs clearance can take weeks, even months.
Proactive documentation and local customs support are essential.
12. Nigeria 🇳🇬
High import duties and multiple regulatory agencies involved.
Corruption and inconsistency in customs enforcement.
Requires physical inspection and sometimes bribes to clear.
13. India 🇮🇳
Multiple layers of bureaucracy, especially for B2B imports.
Requires BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) certification for many tech products.
Frequent port congestion leads to delays.
14. Brazil 🇧🇷
Import duties and taxes often exceed 60% of the product value.
Requires a local importer with a RADAR license.
Complex documentation requirements including detailed NCM codes.
15. Argentina 🇦🇷
Central Bank authorization required for foreign exchange transactions.
Import permits (SIMIs) must be pre-approved.
Tech items are frequently held up for secondary review.
16. Egypt 🇪🇬
Mandatory pre-registration of importers and manufacturers.
Delays at customs unless full specs and approvals are provided.
Requires Arabic labeling and documentation.
17. Russia 🇷🇺
High scrutiny for IT and telecom devices.
Customs often requests technical passports and conformity documents.
Frequent changes to the list of restricted technologies.
18. Venezuela 🇻🇪
Severe economic restrictions and currency controls.
Government permits needed for most IT hardware.
Shortages in customs staff result in long delays.
19. Algeria 🇩🇿
Requires import license for all commercial shipments.
High tariffs and inconsistent customs handling.
Local agents strongly recommended to avoid rejections.
20. Turkey 🇹🇷
Recent changes in customs law have tightened IT imports.
Requires CE certification and additional local compliance docs.
Customs sometimes rejects undervalued invoices.
21. Indonesia 🇮🇩
Certain tech items require post-import testing and SNI certification.
Customs valuation discrepancies can halt clearance.
Requires local distributor or representative to import.
Incomplete or unclear invoices Customs agents often reject shipments over vague item descriptions or missing line items.
Unpredictable duties and fees Some destinations demand payment at the door or via unfamiliar local systems.
Regulations that change overnight Language barriers and unannounced policy updates make compliance hard.
Limited or no courier support Even if you use a trusted brand, your shipment may be handed off to local partners with inconsistent tracking.
We specialize in helping scaling tech companies ship laptops, monitors, and more — even to difficult countries.
Coming soon: Our full-featured logistics platform to streamline your global equipment shipping, with:
If you've got global teams, don't let bureaucracy and regulations slow them down, focus on your team, business and goals.
Let Raal help you navigate the toughest borders with confidence.
Talk to us today — or just reach out if you want to hear some wild shipping stories.