Importing goods and customs clearance in Spain

If you want to ship your goods to Spain then you have to get them through customs and formally import them. This article describes a number of important aspects.

Please note that if you need help, there are various parties available to support you.

Shipping your products

If you sell physical products, you need to get them delivered into Spain. Depending on the country you are in, this may be a challenge.

First of all you may have to pay import duties or settle VAT. There are certain thresholds for both of these charges, e.g. while importing in the EU you don’t have to pay import duties on any shipment worth less than € 150.

There may also be non-financial bariers, like certifications or approvals to be obtained. Especially for food, cosmetics or medicine this may be the case. Check this in advance, even before you invest in your marketing.

Container terminal where goods are cleared through customs

Importing goods

Importing goods into Spain requires compliance with EU customs regulations, managed locally by Agencia Tributaria (Spanish Tax Agency) through Departamento de Aduanas e Impuestos Especiales (Customs and Excise Department). For official information, visit the Agencia Tributaria – English.

General Import Process

  1. Customs Declaration
    • Submit an Import Declaration electronically through the EU’s Customs Decision System or the Spanish Import One-Stop Shop (Ventanilla Única Aduanera).
    • Required documents include a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and any necessary certificates or licenses.
  2. Import Duties and VAT
    • Duties are based on the HS code. Use the EU TARIC database (TARIC) for accurate rates.
    • VAT (Impuesto sobre el Valor Añadido, IVA):
      • Standard rate: 21%.
      • Reduced rates: 10% for certain food items, water, and pharmaceuticals; 4% for basic food, books, and medicines.
  3. Additional Non-Financial Requirements
    • Products may require compliance with EU safety, health, and labeling regulations. Specific requirements can be found in the Access2Markets Portal.
    • Agricultural, electronic, and textile goods often require specific certificates.
  4. Inspection and Clearance
    • Customs may inspect goods to verify compliance. Processing typically takes 1-3 business days for complete and accurate submissions.
  5. Release of Goods
    • Once cleared, goods are free to move within Spain or other EU member states.

Service Providers for Assistance

  1. Kuehne+Nagel Spain – kuehne-nagel.com
  2. DB Schenker Spain – dbschenker.com
  3. Transcoma Logistics – transcoma.com
  4. Altius Spain – altius.es
  5. Dachser Spain – dachser.com

Importing Small Parcels

For small parcels, Spain is served by couriers like DHL, UPS, FedEx, and Correos (Spanish Post). Typical costs for a 2kg parcel:

  • From the USA: €25-€50 for economy shipping.
  • From China: €20-€40 for economy shipping.

Express services (2-5 days) are more expensive. Check rates directly with service providers for accurate pricing based on destination and urgency.

Customs looks at three things

Whatever you ship, customs checks the same three things. The classification: the HS code that sets the duty rate. The customs value: the price plus, depending on the Incoterm, transport and insurance. And the origin, which can lower the rate under a trade agreement.

On top of that come the registrations: an importer number or EORI, a VAT registration or a local importer of record, and product certificates for food, cosmetics, medical devices and electrical goods.

VAlidate the HS-codes you use for shipping

Almost every country or trade block in the world has its own detailing on the international HS-code list. With our report you strongly reduce the risk on misclassifications, delays and higher custom duties than expected.

Tell us what you want to ship and where to and we ask you all relevant questions to get to the most likely code.

Get your HS code VAlidation Report for only € 39

Importing into Spain in three steps

Step 1

Classify and check

Determine the HS code for every product, look up the duty rate, and check which certificates or approvals the country asks for before you ship anything.

Step 2

Arrange papers

Make sure there is a registered importer, and prepare the invoice, packing list, transport document and, where it lowers the duty, a certificate of origin.

Step 3

Ship and clear

Let a customs broker file the declaration, pay duties and import VAT, and keep the documents. Customs audits can go back several years.

Import and customs in other countries

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