Shipping to the Canaries, Balearics, Ceuta or Melilla

Key rules

• Island leg: Get a mover quote that lists the island leg as its own line.
• Canary tax: The Canaries use IGIC instead of VAT, so goods from the mainland count as imports.
• Used goods: Used belongings of someone moving residence can generally enter the Canaries with relief from duty and IGIC.
• Customs agent: Use a customs agent in the Canaries to file your declaration.

Relief conditions, island-leg surcharges and Ceuta and Melilla arrangements should be confirmed with the Canary customs office and your mover before you ship.

Why a mainland move plan will not work

Islands and special territories add steps that a mainland move does not have. You get an extra sea leg, extra port handling, and in the Canaries a different tax system and a customs declaration. Plan for these from the first quote.

The extra leg and what it costs

Shipping to the Balearic or Canary Islands normally adds a ferry or ro-ro leg from a mainland port, or a direct container call. You also pay port handling on the island. The surcharge depends on your volume and on the carrier. Expect it to add a few days to weeks to your schedule.

Ask every mover for a quote that shows the island leg as a separate line, so you can compare like with like. For Ceuta and Melilla, ask the mover directly how they deliver and what it adds, as the details differ from the other islands.

Tax and customs in the Canaries

The Canary Islands sit outside the EU VAT area. They use their own indirect tax, IGIC, instead of VAT. Because of this, goods arriving from mainland Spain or the EU are treated as imports and need a customs declaration (DUA).

• Used household goods: if you are moving your residence, your used belongings can generally enter with relief from duty and IGIC. You need to meet conditions, such as having owned and used the items before.
• Recently bought new items: these may be subject to IGIC and, if they come from outside the EU, duty. Keep them separate from your used belongings.
• Customs agent: hire one in the Canaries to file the DUA for you.

Before you ship, ask the Canary customs office whether your goods qualify for the relief.

What to do next

Use the checklist below to put these steps in order. The FAQ covers IGIC on your goods and how much time the island leg adds.

Checklist

• Ask the mover what the ferry or direct container call and the island port handling cost for your volume.

• Allow a few extra days to weeks in your schedule for the island leg.

• Hire a customs agent in the Canaries to file the customs declaration (DUA) for your goods.

• Ask the Canary customs office whether your used household goods qualify for relief from duty and IGIC, the Canaries' own indirect tax.

• Separate recently bought new items from used belongings, since new items may be subject to IGIC.

Frequently asked questions

Do I pay IGIC on goods I ship to the Canary Islands?

Yes, the Canaries charge IGIC, their own indirect tax, instead of VAT, and recently bought new items may be subject to it. Used household goods from someone moving residence can generally enter with relief from duty and IGIC if conditions such as prior ownership and use are met. Ask a customs agent in the Canaries which conditions apply to you.

How much extra time does the island leg add to my move?

The island leg usually adds a few days to weeks compared with a mainland delivery. It means a ferry or ro-ro leg from a mainland port, or a direct container call, plus port handling on the island. Surcharges depend on the volume and the carrier.