Shipping your belongings to Spain

It is for anyone thinking about, planning or carrying out a move to Spain. You will learn what is worth shipping, how to compare shipping modes and movers, what the total bill looks like, and how to time the shipment so it does not arrive before you can receive it.

Start with "What to ship to Spain and what to rebuy there". It helps you sort your belongings into ship, sell, store and replace, so every later decision is based on how much you are actually sending.

Customs relief and import taxes, delivery-day inspection and insurance, importing a car, and parcels or online orders are covered elsewhere.

Key rules

• Booking lead time: Book about 6 to 8 weeks ahead for road and shared loads, and 2 to 3 months ahead for sea freight from overseas.
• Container breakeven: A full container usually becomes cheaper than a shared load somewhere around 12–20 m³ of goods.
• Ship test: Ship an item only if moving it costs clearly less than replacing it, or it is sentimental or hard to replace.
• Bulky and cheap: Cheap furniture, mattresses and white goods are usually sold and rebought in Spain.
• Air freight: Use air only for small, urgent essentials, not furniture or bulky items.
• Door-to-door: Ask every mover to confirm in writing whether the quote is door-to-door, including Spanish destination charges.

Shipping your belongings to Spain: the whole process, step by step

From first quote to unpacking

• Decide what to ship, sell, store or rebuy, and check which appliances will work (see: What to ship to Spain and what to rebuy there; Will your appliances and electronics work in Spain?): As soon as you know you are moving

• Choose the shipping mode for your volume, budget and timeline (see: Container, shared load, air or road: choosing how to ship): Before you ask for quotes

• Compare quotes, check the contract terms and sign with a mover (see: How to choose and contract an international mover; What shipping a household to Spain really costs): Before you book

• Book road and shared loads (see: When to book and ship your belongings): About 6 to 8 weeks ahead

• Book sea freight from overseas (see: When to book and ship your belongings): 2 to 3 months ahead

• Book earlier if you move in summer, and avoid August where you can: Around 3 months or more ahead for June to September

• Gather residence papers and a signed inventory for non-EU moves (see the article for your origin): Before the shipment leaves

• Ship by road from the UK or EU: About 3 to 10 working days door to door, sometimes up to 2 to 3 weeks

• Ship by sea from North America: About 4 to 8 weeks door to door

• Ship by sea from Australia: About 8 to 12 weeks door to door

• Send urgent essentials by air: Arranged within a couple of weeks, about 1 to 2 weeks in transit

• If your home is not ready, use storage while paperwork is completed (see: What to do if your belongings arrive before your home): Goods from outside the EU can wait in temporary storage for up to 90 days

• Clear customs and claim duty-free relief for a change of residence: The shipment must arrive within 12 months of your move of residence

• Take delivery and note any damage on the delivery paperwork straight away: On delivery day; written claims usually have deadlines of days to weeks

Transit times and storage terms vary by carrier, route and season, so confirm them with your mover.

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

• A copy of your passport
• Your visa
• Your residence card — When to book and ship your belongings, Shipping to Spain from North America or Australia

The home and the lease

• Proof of your new Spanish address
• Electricity supply contract showing your contracted power — Will your appliances and electronics work in Spain?
• Written contract with your mover — How to choose and contract an international mover

Other documents

• Proof that you lived outside the EU for at least 12 months before moving
• A detailed inventory of your goods
• A request for duty-free relief
• The bill of lading — When to book and ship your belongings, Shipping to Spain from North America or Australia
• Certificate from an authorised gas installer — Will your appliances and electronics work in Spain?
• Power of attorney for the customs broker — How to choose and contract an international mover

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

Shipping your belongings to Spain: questions that cross several articles

Do I need to rebuy appliances if I come from a 110V country?

You only need to rebuy high-power 110V appliances such as heaters, hair dryers and kitchen appliances, because Spain uses 230 V at 50 Hz. Laptops and phone chargers that accept 110–240 V need only a plug adapter. Read Will your appliances and electronics work in Spain?, then What to ship to Spain and what to rebuy there.

How long will my belongings take to reach Spain from the UK or elsewhere?

From the UK or EU by road, expect about 3 to 10 days door to door, and sometimes up to 2 to 3 weeks. Sea freight takes about 4 to 8 weeks from North America and 8 to 12 weeks from Australia. Read When to book and ship your belongings and the article for your origin.

Which documents do I need to bring a non-EU shipment into Spain duty-free?

You need proof of your move of residence, such as your passport, visa or residence card, proof of at least 12 months of residence abroad, proof of your Spanish address and a signed inventory. See When to book and ship your belongings.

Do goods bought recently or moved to the Canary Islands face extra tax?

Yes, goods going to the Canary Islands need a customs declaration and are charged IGIC, the islands' own tax, instead of VAT. Used household goods can usually enter with relief if you meet the conditions, but new purchases may be taxed. Read Shipping to the Canaries, Balearics, Ceuta or Melilla.