Shipping to Spain can be quite expensive so it is advised that expats think carefully before planning on what to ship to the country. Many Spanish cities have furnished accommodation and store options are available to purchase items when in the country which range from second hand and antique stores with stores such as IKEA can be found.
Before deciding on a removal company, you should get quotes from multiple services before a company is selected. Expats have the option to import household items duty free to the country as long as they have owned the goods for six months and the goods are imported within one year of securing residency in Spain. All household appliances should be listed showing the model and serial numbers and receipts for the items should also be taken.
When shipping items and personal possessions there are certain documents which will be required
- Proof of ID i.e. Passport
- Copy of Spanish ID card
- Details of residency status
- Bank guarantee if there are no residency documents
- Details of employment which will be undertake
- Proof that you will be in Spain for 2 years or more
- Documents from the local town hall in country of origin to confirm you have lived there for longer than 6 months
- Copy of application for duty free import
- Letter which authorises the agent at the destination to clear shipments
If any of the documents are not correct, expats will be charged extra for import duties and there may be a delay in the shipment clearing. The shipment cannot be cleared until all the paperwork has been completed. Once this is done, the shipment arrives within the first three months of residency and if you want the shipment to arrive later an application for a special permit will need to made
Expats who are shipping household possessions should use services from an import agency who deals with all paperwork and calculations on your behalf as this process can be quite complicated.
Some relocation companies include:
- Paragon Relocation: A global relocation service which provides domestic and international relocations.
- Team Relocations: Delivers relocation and moving services across the world.