The Federal Government of Somalia and the Somaliland administration have both demonstrated commitments to supporting forcibly displaced persons (FDPs), including refugee-returnees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), through various national and sub-national policy instruments. In Somalia, the adoption of the National Policy on Refugee-Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in 2019 marked a significant step toward institutionalizing the protection and reintegration of displaced populations. The policy affirms the government’s obligation to provide essential services, including access to civil documentation such as passports, national identity cards, and birth certificates. These documents are vital for enabling individuals to fully exercise their legal rights—including the movement and relocation of personal property during return, repatriation, or resettlement processes.

While the policy outlines broad principles of support and facilitation, it does not explicitly include detailed provisions concerning the importation of personal property by FDPs. In the absence of such provisions, general import regulations apply, which typically require documentation such as a certificate of origin, bill of lading, packing list, and import permit. These standard requirements are part of the national customs and trade regime and are intended to regulate the entry of goods into the country. While they are not targeted at displaced populations, they may present administrative hurdles for FDPs who do not possess the required documentation, particularly during spontaneous or unassisted returns.

In Somaliland, the government has similarly introduced policies that address the broader needs of IDPs and refugee-returnees, including provisions for basic services, shelter, and reintegration support. However, as with Somalia, there is currently no formal legal or policy framework that specifically governs the rights of FDPs to import or export personal property in the context of admission, return, or relocation. In practice, assistance with property movement may be facilitated by humanitarian actors or addressed on a case-by-case basis through coordination with local authorities.

As both Somalia and Somaliland continue to strengthen their displacement management frameworks, the development of clear, rights-based guidelines on the importation and movement of personal belongings could further enhance the dignity and sustainability of return and reintegration processes.