| United States | Confirm the applicable tariff classification with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Check state, county, and municipal building rules, zoning, minimum room-size rules, electrical requirements, plumbing regulations, and whether the unit is treated as a dwelling, modular building, or cargo container. | Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, country-of-origin information, entry documents, product specifications, electrical documents, and any required certificates for appliances or building systems. | Customs duty depends on the final tariff classification, materials, origin, and customs value. Merchandise processing and port-related charges may also apply. State and local sales or use tax can be separate from federal import charges. | Level and engineered foundation or support points, utility connections, stormwater planning, access for a crane or delivery vehicle, local permits, and compliance with wind, snow, seismic, fire, energy, and accessibility requirements where applicable. | Obtain written confirmation from the local building department before paying a deposit. A transportable unit is not automatically approved as a permanent residence. |
| Canada | Verify the tariff classification, import requirements, provincial and municipal building codes, energy-efficiency rules, electrical approval, plumbing requirements, and transport dimensions. Permanent placement may require a building permit and development approval. | Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, tariff classification information, origin details, importer information, product manuals, and certificates required by provincial authorities or inspection bodies. | Customs duty is determined by classification and origin. Goods and Services Tax is generally assessed at importation, and provincial sales tax or harmonized tax may also apply depending on the province and transaction structure. | Frost-protected foundation or approved supports, site grading, drainage, water and wastewater connections, electrical service, snow-load design, winter insulation, and sufficient road and crane access. | Ask the municipality and province whether the home can be installed on the proposed parcel and whether factory-built construction documents must be reviewed before shipment. |
| European Union | Determine the correct Combined Nomenclature classification and check whether the completed unit is subject to construction-product, machinery, electrical, gas, or other product rules. National building permits and local planning approval remain separate from customs clearance. | Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, customs declaration data, proof of origin where relevant, technical file, installation instructions, declarations of conformity where legally required, and product safety documentation. | Import VAT is normally payable in the destination member state unless an applicable customs procedure or VAT arrangement changes the timing. Customs duty depends on classification, customs value, and preferential origin. Local handling and port charges may also apply. | Approved foundation or ground-support design, utility connection permissions, local planning approval, fire-safety measures, energy-performance compliance, drainage, delivery access, and lifting or assembly planning. | Check both EU-level product obligations and the specific national building rules. A CE marking, where relevant to a product category, does not replace a local building permit. |
| United Kingdom | Confirm the commodity code, customs procedure, UK product-safety obligations, building regulations, planning permission, electrical requirements, and any rules for gas appliances or sanitation systems. Scotland, Wales, England, and Northern Ireland may have different approval processes. | Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, customs declaration information, origin evidence, technical specifications, conformity documentation where required, and installation and maintenance manuals. | Import VAT generally applies unless a specific relief or accounting method is available. Customs duty depends on commodity code and origin. Port, broker, inspection, and inland delivery charges are additional. | Suitable foundation or engineered supports, planning approval, building-control review, drainage, utility connections, wind exposure assessment, delivery access, and a lifting plan for offloading. | Confirm whether the proposed use is classed as a permanent dwelling, annex, holiday accommodation, or another use category before selecting the design. |
| Australia | Check the tariff classification, biosecurity requirements, building approval, state or territory rules, structural requirements, electrical safety, plumbing, energy efficiency, and bushfire or cyclone provisions where relevant. | Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, import declaration data, packing-material details, country-of-origin information, treatment certificates when required, engineering documents, and product compliance records. | Goods and Services Tax is generally payable on taxable importations. Customs duty depends on classification and origin. Biosecurity inspection, cleaning, storage, port, broker, and inland transport charges may be added. | Engineered footings or foundations, site drainage, connection to water and wastewater systems, electrical connection, access for oversize transport, crane positioning, and additional design for cyclone, bushfire, flood, or high-wind areas. | Confirm biosecurity cleanliness before loading. Soil, plant material, untreated timber, and contaminated equipment can cause inspection, treatment, delay, or extra costs. |
| New Zealand | Verify customs classification, biosecurity rules, building consent requirements, structural design, electrical and plumbing compliance, and local planning restrictions. Imported building products may need evidence of suitability for local use. | Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, import declaration information, origin details, biosecurity-related records, engineering drawings, installation manuals, and product compliance documents. | Goods and Services Tax generally applies to imported goods. Customs duty depends on classification and origin. Biosecurity inspection, treatment, storage, port, customs brokerage, and local delivery charges may also apply. | Foundation or piles designed for local soil and seismic conditions, drainage, utility connections, delivery access, crane placement, and assessment of wind, snow, flood, or coastal exposure. | Obtain local building-consent guidance before shipment and ensure all wood packaging and exposed materials meet biosecurity requirements. |
| Japan | Check customs classification, building confirmation requirements, fire and seismic standards, local zoning, electrical voltage and frequency compatibility, plumbing, insulation, and restrictions on installing imported structures. | Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, customs declaration data, origin information, structural drawings, materials list, appliance specifications, and Japanese-language installation or safety information where required. | Consumption tax generally applies to taxable imports. Customs duty depends on classification and origin. Customs clearance, port handling, inspection, storage, and inland transport costs may also be charged. | Site-specific foundation design, seismic engineering, utility connection approvals, narrow-road delivery planning, crane access, drainage, and local fire-safety measures. | Confirm structural and fire requirements with the local authority before ordering. Imported dimensions and materials may need modification for local standards. |
| Singapore | Verify customs classification, import permit requirements, building-plan approval, structural safety, fire safety, electrical standards, and land-use restrictions. Permanent residential placement is subject to planning and building controls. | Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, import permit information, origin details, technical drawings, electrical documentation, fire-safety documents, and installation instructions. | Goods and Services Tax generally applies to taxable imports. Customs duty depends on the product classification; some goods may be dutiable while others may not. Freight, terminal, permit, brokerage, and delivery charges are separate. | Approved foundation or support system, stormwater and drainage planning, electrical and water connections, fire-safety provisions, lifting access, and a site layout that meets local planning conditions. | Confirm land-use approval first. Import clearance does not grant permission to occupy or use the unit as a dwelling. |
| United Arab Emirates | Check emirate-specific customs procedures, municipality approvals, building and fire-safety requirements, electrical standards, land-use permissions, and any restrictions on temporary or permanent accommodation units. | Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin where requested, customs declaration information, product specifications, fire-safety documentation, and installation drawings. | Import duty and value-added tax may apply according to the customs classification, customs value, origin, and applicable customs arrangement. Port, clearance, storage, inland transport, and installation costs are additional. | Compacted and level ground, heat-resistant materials, shading or cooling strategy, electrical capacity, water and wastewater connections, drainage, crane access, and wind-load assessment. | Confirm the requirements of the specific emirate and municipality. Desert conditions can increase cooling, corrosion-protection, anchoring, and maintenance needs. |
| South Africa | Confirm tariff classification, import permits if applicable, national building regulations, municipal approval, electrical certification, zoning, and requirements for permanent or temporary structures. | Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, customs declaration information, origin documentation, structural drawings, electrical certificates, product manuals, and inspection records where required. | Value-added tax generally applies to taxable imports. Customs duty depends on classification and origin. Port, customs brokerage, storage, inspection, inland delivery, and security-related costs may also arise. | Engineered foundation, site security, drainage, utility connections, electrical supply, delivery and crane access, and checks for wind, flood, soil, and local fire conditions. | Verify municipal zoning and building approval before importation. Customs release alone does not establish legal permission for occupation. |
