Shipping to Spain from another EU country

Key rules

• Mainland Spain: Goods already in free circulation in the EU need no customs declaration or duty.
• Canary Islands: Goods from the EU count as imports, so you need a customs declaration and a local customs agent.
• New purchases: Recently bought items shipped to the Canaries may be charged IGIC, so keep them apart from used goods.
• Special goods: Vehicles, firearms and plants have their own formalities.

Do you need customs paperwork?

For mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands, no. Household goods already in free circulation in the EU need no customs declaration and no duty. You do not need any relief for moving your residence either. For a road move, you need the usual transport documents and an inventory of your goods.

What still needs planning

Most of the work is choosing a carrier and a date.

• Groupage. Small loads from several households are collected, combined at a depot and sent on a regular truck route to Spain. Packers collect at your door, and a partner firm delivers to your home in Spain. Ask which route serves your area and when the next truck leaves.
• Timing. From northern Europe, expect about 4–10 working days, and sometimes up to 2–3 weeks depending on the schedule and region. Scandinavia is slower. Routes to areas such as the Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca and Madrid often run weekly or fortnightly. The Balearics go by ferry.
• Inventory. Prepare a list of what you ship. It travels with the transport documents.

The Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla

These places are outside the EU VAT area, so goods arriving from the EU are treated as imports. You need a customs declaration, called a DUA. The Canaries charge IGIC, their own indirect tax, instead of VAT. Hire a customs agent in the Canaries to handle it.

Recently bought items

If you move to the Canaries, keep used household goods separate from items you bought recently. Used goods of someone moving residence can generally enter free of duty and IGIC if conditions are met, such as having owned and used them before. New items may be charged IGIC. Check the conditions with the Canary customs office before you ship.

Vehicles and special goods

Vehicles, firearms and plants have their own rules. A vehicle must still be registered in Spain, with tax formalities. Check these before you ship them.

The checklist, timeline and FAQ below go through the steps.

Timeline and deadlines

• Packers collect your goods at the door: on the collection date agreed with the groupage firm

• Your goods are consolidated at the firm's depot with loads from other households: after collection, before the next scheduled truck

• The groupage partner delivers to your home in Spain: at the end of transit, on a date agreed with you

Checklist

• Ask the groupage firm which regular route serves your area of Spain and when the next truck runs.

• Prepare an inventory of your goods to travel with the usual transport documents.

• Ask a customs agent in the Canaries to handle the customs declaration if you are moving to the Canary Islands, Ceuta or Melilla.

• Separate used household goods from recently bought new items if you ship to the Canary Islands, since new items may be charged IGIC.

• Check the rules for any vehicle, firearms or plants before you ship them, as they have their own formalities.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a customs declaration to ship household goods from another EU country to mainland Spain?

No, household goods already in free circulation in the EU need no customs declaration or duty to reach mainland Spain. You also do not need transfer-of-residence relief. Keep the usual transport documents and an inventory with the load.

Does a move to the Canary Islands from the EU need customs paperwork?

Yes, the Canary Islands are outside the EU VAT area, so goods arriving from the EU are treated as imports and need a customs declaration (DUA). The islands charge their own tax, IGIC, instead of VAT. Used household goods of someone moving residence can generally enter with relief if conditions such as prior ownership and use are met, so use a customs agent in the Canaries.

Do recently bought items cost more to bring to the Canary Islands?

Yes, recently bought new items may be subject to IGIC when they arrive in the Canary Islands, unlike used goods you have owned and used. Ask a Canary customs agent which of your purchases count as new before you ship.

How long does road groupage from northern Europe to Spain take?

Road groupage usually takes 4 to 10 working days from the UK or northern Europe, and sometimes 2 to 3 weeks depending on the schedule and region. Scandinavia is slower. UK moves need customs paperwork since Brexit, which adds time.