Shipping Your Belongings to or from Spain?
Whether you're planning to come and live in Barcelona, missing something from your home country or getting ready to leave, you'll have plenty of stuff to package and send.
Take the stress out of moving your belongings by knowing how to prepare your documentation and pack your goods, and by being aware of some of the restrictions that can be applied. And, understand the difference between shipping your personal effects and moving.
1) Prepare Your Paperwork
When shipping to or from Spain, you always have to take into account if this will be to or from the EU or not. Every shipment between the EU and the USA or other non-EU regions will go through customs clearance, no exceptions. It doesn’t matter which shipping and transportation company you use. It is mandatory that the shipments have the necessary documentation. When shipping gifts, personal effects etc, a pro-forma invoice is required. This document must include information about the sender and the receiver (national ID, full name), and details about the goods and their values before taxes.
Without this data, customs will hold back your shipment and will apply taxes according to their standard values.
2) Know the Restrictions
The following are forbidden items for individuals when shipping inside the EU:
- Anything classified as Dangerous, like flammable goods.
- Perishable goods that need controlled-temperature
- Tobacco or alcoholic drinks
- Electronic devices with battery installed
- Unpackaged or untagged food
When shipping outside the EU and in addition to the previous items: Foods, medicines and items like sprays, paints and perfumes are also forbidden.
3) Make Sure You Have Adequate Insurance
Every shipment is covered by insurance. This insurance covers up to €20 per kg on airfreight. If this is not enough for your items, carriers offer extra insurance that covers up to €600,000.
4) Pack It All Safely
Wrap, protect and pack. If you always do these three steps your items will ship safer. You must wrap every item separately, using bubble wrap, paper wrap or similar. Then you have to protect the inside of the package by using some filler (not clothes). Finally, wrap your high quality packaging with duct tape.