Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

• Original of passport
• Original of DNI (for Spaniards) or NIE (residence permit for foreigners)
• Detailed inventory, valued and signed in Spanish
• Original certificate of change of residence (“Baja Consular”) issued by the Spanish Consulate at origin
• Spanish resident card / work permit
• Original bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
• “Alta de Empadronamiento” issued by the local authorities of the place of residence in Spain
• Application form for duty-free importation
• Diplomatic Franchise (Diplomats)

Note:  Customs regulations may differ between cities.  It is important to contact agent for specific information prior to importation.

Specific Information

• Household goods are duty free if meeting the following conditions:
  • Goods are owned and used by the owner of the goods for a minimum of 6 months
  • The shipment is imported into Spain within 12 months after owner of the goods arrival
  • The owner of the goods must have lived abroad for a minimum of 1 year
• If a Spanish Residence permit is not available, a Bank Guarantee between 40% and 60% of the total value declared in the inventory and the presentation of the Work Permit will be required for Customs clearance.
• The Bank Guarantee will be returned when regularization is completed within 6 months upon presentation of the permit.
• Owner of the goods must be registered at the National Tax Office / Revenue Service; if the owner of the goods has not obtained a Residence Permit, the owner of the goods’ employer, company or a person already registered at National Tax Office must represent the owner of the goods at Customs clearance.
• Owner of the goods must obtain Diplomatic Franchise from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, which takes approximately 2-3 weeks.

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

• Original vehicle purchase invoice
• Original documents of the car (e.g., certificate of title and registration, insurance, etc.)
• The car must be built to fit EU standards.
• If the model of the car is not sold in the EU, owner of the goods must obtain from the manufacturer a document stating to what EU model his car matches.

Specific Information

• Vehicle must have been used by owner of the goods for a minimum of 6 months.

Pets

Documents Required

• Vaccination record
• International health certificate

Specific Information

• Pets must be identifiable through microchip or a tattoo.
• Muzzles are required for dogs in some areas of Spain; check with agent for specific locations.
• Pets subject to examination by a Customs veterinarian.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

• Fur coats may undergo Customs examination.
• There are no limits on the amount of alcohol and tobacco imported from countries in the European Union; however, Customs is more likely to investigate if bringing more than the quantities indicated:
  • Cigarettes (800), cigarillos (400 or 3 g each), cigars (200), smoking tobacco (1 kg)
  • Spirits over 22% (10 L), spirits under 22% (20 L), Wine (90 L but no more than 60 L of sparkling wine), beer (110 L)
• The following items may qualify for imported by persons 18 years and older within the limits indicated:
  • Cigarettes (200), cigarillos (100), cigars (50), smoking tobacco (250 g)
  • Alcohol exceeding 22% volume or un-denatured ethyl alcohol 80% volume and over (1 L), alcohol not exceeding 22% volume (2 L), still wine (4 L), beer (16 L)

Prohibited Items

• Firearms and ammunition (permit is required)
• Antiques (permit is required)
• Liquor and alcohol (small quantities)
• Pictures, sculptures, Persian carpets and other art items
• Protected species and products made from them per the Washington Convention  (CITES), such as ivory, tortoise shells, coral, reptile skins, etc.

Consignment Instructions

Recommended:  Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.

Helpful Website(s):

 http://www.state.gov/p/eur/ci/sp

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/spain.html