Shipping belongings and cars out

It is for anyone thinking about, planning or carrying out a move. You will know what to ship, how to compare movers, what customs paperwork applies and what to do with your car.

Start with "What should you ship, sell, store or donate when leaving Spain?" It helps you decide the fate of your belongings by cost, value and customs treatment. Everything else on the topic follows from those choices.

Pets, driving licence exchange and moving within Spain are not covered here.

Key rules

• Mover liability: For international road removals, a mover's liability for lost or damaged goods is usually limited to 8.33 SDR per kilogram, so extra transit insurance is worth considering.
• Cash declaration: You must declare EUR 10,000 or more in cash when leaving Spain.
• Damage claims: For road removals, note visible damage on the delivery note on arrival, and give written notice of hidden damage within 7 days of delivery.
• Choose by volume: Parcels suit a few boxes, groupage suits about 3 to 20 m3, and a container or full removal suits a whole home.
• Quotes: Get at least three written quotes, each based on an in-person or video survey.
• Two sides: You need Spanish export paperwork and the destination's transfer-of-residence relief for duty-free entry.

Shipping belongings and cars out: the whole process, step by step

• Decide what to ship, sell, store or donate, and start selling the car if you will not export it: 2 to 3 months before departure for a large household or a car

• Start selling furniture, bulky and big appliances first: 6 to 8 weeks before departure

• Choose a mover and book shipping, allowing for transit time to your destination: Before you start packing. Door to door, the UK takes about 1 to 3 weeks by groupage, the US about 4 to 8 weeks by container, and Latin America about 5 to 10 weeks by container

• Prepare the inventory and any returning-resident relief claim for a non-EU destination: Before the goods ship, because relief conditions include proof of residence abroad and a certified inventory

• Book donation and bulky-waste collection for leftovers, and sell daily-use items last: In the last 1 to 2 weeks before departure

• Sell the car, or notify the DGT of the sale so you are released from fines and tax: Right away after the sale. The buyer has 30 working days to file the transfer tax

• Cancel the Spanish registration (baja) if the car leaves Spain, and arrange a trailer or transport to the port or border: Before the car travels

• Cancel the Spanish car insurance and ask for the unused premium back: Only after the baja is confirmed

• Re-register the car in an EU destination: After you become resident there. Deadlines range from a few weeks to six months depending on the country

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

• Your ID
• Copy of your passport — Customs paperwork when shipping household goods from Spain to a non-EU country

Other documents

• Permiso de circulación
• Ficha técnica
• Proof that you paid the IVTM — Taking a Spanish-registered car to another EU country, Car insurance, vehicle tax (IVTM) and ITV when your car leaves Spain
• Owner details on the inventory — Customs paperwork when shipping household goods from Spain to a non-EU country
• Separate lists for alcohol — Customs paperwork when shipping household goods from Spain to a non-EU country
• Signed authorisation for your customs agent — Customs paperwork when shipping household goods from Spain to a non-EU country
• Proof that you are moving abroad — Customs paperwork when shipping household goods from Spain to a non-EU country
• Bill of lading or other transport document for the shipment — Customs paperwork when shipping household goods from Spain to a non-EU country

Each article lists the other documents it asks for, where you need them.

Shipping belongings and cars out: questions that cross several articles

Where can I donate furniture I cannot ship or sell?

You can donate usable furniture to groups such as Cáritas, Cruz Roja and Emaús, or take it to a local recycling centre (punto limpio). Emaús and some social-enterprise firms collect from your home, often free or for a small fee, but only in set areas, and they usually want photos or a list first. Book this for your last 1 to 2 weeks, as covered in "What should you ship, sell, store or donate when leaving Spain?" and "Selling furniture and household goods quickly in Spain".

Do I need a valid ITV to sell my car before leaving?

No, a valid ITV (Spain's roadworthiness inspection) is not required to sell a car between private parties, but sellers usually provide a current one. The buyer takes on the duty to pass it. The environmental label also affects resale, since unlabelled and B cars lose value in big cities with low-emission zones. Read "Sell, export or scrap your car when leaving Spain?" and "Car insurance, vehicle tax (IVTM) and ITV when your car leaves Spain".

Can I drive my car to the port or border after requesting baja?

No, after a definitive baja you cannot drive the car on Spanish public roads, so you need a trailer or tow truck. With a baja por traslado, the DGT issues temporary documents that allow the journey to the destination with valid insurance. See "Taking a Spanish-registered car to another EU country" and "Exporting a car from Spain to a non-EU country".

Can I take my Spanish car to the UK, US or Latin America?

Sometimes, but the rules differ a lot by country. The UK charges VAT and duty unless you qualify for relief when moving residence, the US restricts cars under 25 years old unless they meet its standards, and many Latin American countries restrict used imports by age and charge high duties. Check with the destination customs authority first, then read "Exporting a car from Spain to a non-EU country" and "Sell, export or scrap your car when leaving Spain?".