Personal Effects Customs Clearance – Spain
Important Information
Names Must Match
The shipper’s and receiver’s names on the order must be identical and match the names on uploaded documents. If someone else is handling collection or delivery, the goods should be listed under the owner’s name, followed by “C/O” and the name of the person involved.
Declared Value
For shipments to Spain, the declared value must not exceed €150. If it does, or if the shipment contains items like tools or goods of a commercial nature, Spanish authorities may apply customs duty.
Additional Fees
- All shipments of personal effects incur a ~€50 customs processing fee, payable directly to the courier partner.
- Storage fees may apply if customs hold the shipment while waiting for documents.
- Shipments weighing over 35kg may attract duties and taxes in addition to the processing fee.
Duty-Free Limits
- Temporary shipments (vacation or short stays) or goods returned by Spanish citizens abroad for less than one year: Up to 35kg of luggage can clear duty free.
- Shipments exceeding 35kg without study or relocation documents will be subject to duties/taxes.
- The €50 customs processing fee applies to all shipments, even if no additional duties/taxes are charged.
Documents Required (for all customers)
All customers must provide the documents listed below. Consignees relocating to Spain or travelling there for study will also need to submit the additional documents specified in those sections.
- Passport – Consignee’s details page.
- Flight Ticket – Must be within 3 months of shipment arrival, showing travel from the same origin country from where shipment is sent. Multiple tickets are acceptable.
- DNI or NIE (if held)
- Spanish citizens → DNI copy.
- Non-Spanish citizens → NIE card or visa (if staying more than 3 months, NIE must be registered before shipping).
- If the consignee is not a Spanish citizen, they must provide a copy of their NIE card or visa (if available). For stays longer than 3 months, an NIE must be applied for and registered with the local Tax Office or Police Station in Spain before shipping. For stays under 3 months, an NIE is not required.
– The consignee must provide a written statement to Spanish Customs explaining the purpose of their Personal Effects and the reason for shipping them to Spain.
Additional Documents (if applicable)
Relocating / Moving to Spain (1 year+)
- Registration Certificate (Certificado de Empadronamiento) – from the city where moving person is staying.
- Baja Consular / Proof of living abroad – Spanish citizens returning after >1 year abroad need a Baja Consular from the Spanish Consulate or Embassy in the country they lived in, confirming their residence abroad. Otherwise, customers relocating to Spain must provide proof of having lived abroad for more than one year, such as documents for employment, studies, rental agreements, or similar.
- Utility bills and bank statements are not accepted.
Students
- Visa or NIE (registered if staying >3 months). An NIE must be applied for and registered with the local Tax Office or Police Station in Spain before shipping. Unregistered NIE will not be considered.
- Enrolment Letter – showing full name, university/college name & address, course details, and course start date.
General Customs Information
- Personal effects = used items owned for 6+ months.
- New/commercial items (e.g. gifts) may disqualify the shipment as “personal effects.”
- Packing list must be non-generic: e.g. “5 x Cotton Dresses, 2 x Jeans” instead of “10 x Used Clothing.”
- Customs rules vary customers should check based on their personal situation and goods being shipped.
Customs Clearance Times
Most shipments pass without issue. If stopped, average clearance takes ~4 working days
Shipping Gifts to Spain
- Duty & tax free if valued under €45.
- If value exceeds this, customs may apply duty/tax on the full amount.