How do I ship my things to Spain?

Since Brexit, a removal from Great Britain to Spain is an import from outside the EU. Your household goods can still come in free of duty and Spanish VAT, but only if you meet the conditions of the transfer of residence relief and your paperwork proves it.

How long it takes and what it costs

Removals from the UK to Spain go by road or sea, in a shared load or a dedicated lorry or container. One UK removals firm’s 2026 prices give an idea. Get at least three quotes of your own. Estimate

The same firm says household removals to Spain take 1 to 4 weeks, depending on the service and where in Spain you are going. Allow extra time for customs. You may want to rent furnished at first: see Finding a home.

Customs since Brexit

Goods from Great Britain are imports from outside the EU, so import duty and Spanish VAT (IVA) can apply, unless you use the transfer of residence relief (franquicia por traslado de residencia). The Spanish Tax Agency’s customs rules say you qualify if:

• You lived outside the EU for at least 12 consecutive months before the move
• You are moving your usual home to Spain
• You owned and used the goods at your old home for at least 6 months, and will use them for the same purpose in Spain
• You import them within 12 months of setting up home in Spain. You can import earlier if you promise to move within 6 months, but customs can ask for security (a deposit or bond)

Alcohol, tobacco, commercial vehicles and work equipment (other than portable tools of a trade) are excluded. For 12 months after import you can’t lend, pledge, hire out or sell the goods without telling customs first, or duty becomes payable.

The paperwork

There is no separate application: the relief is claimed on the import declaration (DUA), using code C01 for customs duty and 101 for VAT. Your removals firm or a customs representative usually files it. The Tax Agency lists what to have ready:

• Proof you have left your old home. The UK has no consular deregistration, so the Tax Agency accepts any document telling a UK authority you have moved, such as your letter to HMRC or your pension provider
• Your TIE (residence card) or proof you have applied for it (see NIE, TIE and tax)
• A detailed list of the goods, with an estimated value and the approximate date you bought each item
• Proof you lived outside the EU for 12 months, such as utility bills, council tax, a tenancy or employment contract

Bringing a UK car

A car can come in under the same relief: you must have lived outside the EU for 12 months and used the car at your old home for at least 6 months. Import it at customs within 12 months of moving. After that, it must be registered in Spain (matriculación) with Spanish plates. The DGT (Spain’s traffic authority) says vehicles from Great Britain imported after 1 January 2021 follow the rules for non-EU vehicles.

For the registration tax exemption, Spanish law also requires that you paid normal taxes on the car in the UK, that you apply to register it within 60 days of starting to use it in Spain, and that you don’t sell it for 12 months. Without the exemption, the tax depends on CO2 emissions: on the mainland and Balearics 0% below 120 g/km, 4.75% from 120 to 160, 9.75% from 160 to 200 and 14.75% above 200. Regions can raise these rates by up to 15%.

Weigh the cost of importing and registering against selling in the UK and buying in Spain: see Driving in Spain. Get quotes

What not to pack

Don’t pack cash over €10,000 without declaring it (see why), and check the rules on medicines before you pack them: see Bringing medicines.