Iceland (Lonely Planet, 7th Edition) - Fran Parnell [269]
Many people bring their cars on the ferry from Europe – special duty-waiver conditions apply for students and visitors staying up to one year. Vehicles cannot be sold without payment of duty.
Permits must be obtained in advance to import firearms, drugs, plants, radio transmitters and telephones (one personal GSM mobile phone per person is permitted). Contact the Directorate of Customs ( 560 0300; www.tollur.is; Tryggvagötu 19, IS-101 Reykjavík). Animals can only be brought in with the permission of the authorities and must be quarantined. Plants, animals (including bird eggs and eggshells) and ‘natural objects’ (particularly stalagmites and stalactites) may not be taken out of Iceland.
For a full list of customs regulations, www.tollur.is.
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DANGERS & ANNOYANCES
Iceland has a very low crime rate and in general any risks you’ll face while travelling here are related to the unpredictable weather and the geological conditions.
Whether travelling in summer or winter, visitors need to be prepared for inclement conditions. The weather can change without warning, and it’s essential for hikers to get a reliable forecast before setting off – call 902 0600, extension 44, or visit www.vedur.is/english for a daily forecast in English. Extreme cold can be dangerous when walking around glaciers and throughout the country in winter, so proper clothing is essential. Those driving in winter should carry food, water and blankets in their car. Emergency huts are provided in places where travellers run the risk of getting caught in severe weather, and car-hire companies can provide snow tyres or chains in winter.
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TAX-FREE SHOPPING
Any purchases you make in Iceland over Ikr4000 (at a single point of sale) may be eligible for a 15% VAT refund. Shops offering VAT refunds display a special ‘tax-free shopping’ sign in the window. You’ll need to ask for a form in the shop, fill it in, then present it at Keflavík airport; on the Smyril Line ferry two hours before departure; at the information desks in the Kringlan and Smáralind shopping centres, Reykjavík; at the main Reykjavík tourist office; or (again in Reykjavík) at the Forex foreign-exchange desk inside the Icelandic Travel Market private tourist office on Bankastræti before you leave in order to collect your rebate. Goods must be taken out of the country within three months of purchase. If any individual rebate exceeds Ikr5000, you will also need to show your goods to Customs before leaving the country. See www.is.eurorefund.com for details of the scheme.
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When hiking, river crossings can be dangerous, with glacial run-off transforming trickling streams into raging torrents on warm summer days. Click here for more information on how to cross rivers safely. High winds can create vicious sandstorms in areas where there is loose volcanic sand. It’s also worth noting that hiking paths in coastal areas are often only accessible at low tide, so be sure to seek local advice and obtain the relevant tide tables (known as sjávarfallatöflur). Consult the hydrographic department of the Icelandic Coast Guard ( 545 2000; www.lhg.is; SkógarhlíÐ 14, IS-105 Reykjavík) for further information.
When visiting geothermal areas, stick to boardwalks or obviously solid ground, avoiding thin crusts of lighter-coloured soil around steaming fissures and mudpots. You also need to be careful of the water in hot springs and mudpots – it often emerges out of the ground at 100°C. Always get local advice before hiking around live volcanoes. In glacial areas beware of dangerous quicksand at the end of glaciers, and never venture out onto the ice without crampons and ice axes (even then, watch out for crevasses).
One risk most travellers must face is dangerous driving on Iceland’s roads. Locals universally ignore the speed limit, cut corners and weave out of their lanes. For more information on driving in Iceland, Click here.