At PACK & SEND, we’ve been managing deliveries to and from every country in the world for more than 30 years, so we’re your ideal partner for shipments from Spain. As the experts in large, small, awkwardly shaped or valuable cargo, we handle every type of freight. To obtain a quote, simply fill in the form here.
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Paperwork Needed for Importing from Spain
You will need to complete the following paperwork in preparation for importing items from Spain to the UK:
Customs declaration – This document provides details of the Spanish goods you are importing. It can be lodged by you, your broker, or your freight forwarder.
Commodity code – A ten-digit number that classifies imports and determines the rates of duty and VAT payable, as well as any restrictions on the goods.
EORI number – This registration and identification number is required for importing goods into the UK.
Import licences – These are generally not required for most goods. However, items like military goods, technology, art, plants, animals, medicines, and chemicals may need licences.
The duties and taxes payable on goods from Spain depend on their commodity codes and the total purchase and shipping value.
Although the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement allows for tariff-free trade for qualifying goods, the items must meet the rules of origin requirements to benefit from this exemption.
For goods that do not meet the agreement’s criteria or are valued over £135, customs duties may apply. The exact rate is determined using the commodity code of the goods, which you can find on the Trade Tariff website.
If duties are not paid, customs may hold the goods for approximately three weeks, return them to the sender, or even seize them.
Value Added Tax (VAT) must be paid on all goods imported from Spain. VAT is calculated on top of import duties at the standard UK rate of 20%, similar to goods purchased domestically.
VAT is also applied to the door-to-port shipping cost, ensuring consistency regardless of the distance from UK ports.
If your EORI number is linked to your UK VAT number, you can reclaim the VAT on your standard VAT return using HMRC form C79.
Avoid Double Taxation Ensure you are not charged Spanish Value Added Tax (VAT) on exports, as VAT is payable in the UK and should only be paid once. Confirm with your Spanish supplier that VAT is excluded from the invoice to avoid issues with reclaiming it later.
Whether or not you choose road freight for your goods from Spain will depend on how much you’re shipping and how urgently you need it. For outsize or bulky consignments, road freight is usually the best option. However, road freight from Spain can take more than a week to reach the UK, so this isn’t the best choice for urgent shipments.
If you want your item to arrive quickly, choose air freight. Flight times are around two hours.
Bear in mind that smaller items may take longer to arrive via air freight because they will be part of a consolidated flight and may have to wait until a plane is full before departing.
Fast and cost-effective, our Online Self-Service is an alternative way to import items from Spain.
You’ll have access to our full range of shipping capabilities at a lower price than you would pay for a bespoke solution in our service centres. Your items may be eligible if your shipment is pre-packaged and weighs less than 30kg.
Using our Online Self-Service option is quick and easy, and you’re in control of the whole process – packing your own items, scheduling the shipment, printing the labels and tracking the cargo all the way through.