Removals to Spain

Usually, we estimate around a week for a sole use of full container (FCL) to arrive at most imports, including Madrid, Barcelona, Murcia, Alicante, Valencia, Malaga and Marbella. Shared containers (LCL) could take slightly longer, up to 3 weeks.

On arrival, your shipping container will need to be cleared by customs and how long this takes can vary depending on how busy the port is. For this reason, all shipping times are only estimates. It is important to mention that there is a good chance that a part load container, sometimes referred to as a shared or LCL, will take longer to arrive than a full container load, FCL.

The cost of removals to Spain will depend on several factors, such as the volume of goods you are sending, what packing is required, and the distance you are from the port.

As a rough guide, expect to pay £624 for about 10 large boxes and  up to £3000+  for a full household removal to Spain.

There will also be additional costs to consider, such as optional insurance/shipment protection and Spanish customs inspection fees that need to be paid on arrival.

The best way to get a more accurate price or estimate is to call our team or request a removals quote online. They can also advise on the best way to reduce your removal costs.

Additional fees that are not included in your removal costs quote include customs inspection fees, duties and port fees payable on arrival in Spain, storage services and maritime insurance or shipment protection cover, which is recommended but not required.

All areas of mainland Spain adhere to Spanish regulations concerning the importation of goods into the country. Whether you’re visiting or planning a permanent move to Spain, it’s important to understand the items that are restricted or prohibited, and avoid bringing them with you. This will help you to ensure a smooth transition and avoid any problems at customs.

There are some items that require pre-approval for import into mainland, including:

• Products that come from endangered animals and plants protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), some of which require a protected species permit.
• Living plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables are subject to restrictions and may require declaration.
• Pets such as cats, dogs and ferrets require a mandatory health inspection upon entry into any EU territory, including Spain. A Common Veterinary Entry Document Pets is required to certify this health check. Pets also require proof of rabies vaccination and identification via a microchip or tattoo to enter.
• Other animals – such as birds and tortoises – require a health certificate from their country of origin.
• Meat, milk, and dairy products for personal consumption are generally allowed from EU countries and some others, but those from non-EU countries may face restrictions.
• Sport and hunting guns require a licence.
• Ozone-depleting substances are regulated.
• Goods that could be used for torture or other degrading treatment are strictly prohibited.

Prohibited items include:

• Illegal drugs and narcotics
• Explosives and flammable materials
• Counterfeit goods
• Pornography
• Some types of pesticides or hazardous chemicals
• Protected cultural artifacts
• Unlicensed radio transmitters
• Goods that could be used for torture or other degrading treatment

For comprehensive guidance on import regulations, consult the official Spanish customs website or contact local customs offices in Spain, which details items that can and cannot be imported.

Our international removals service is perfect for shipping your furniture to Spain from the UK.

For furniture removals, every item is carefully packed or ‘export wrapped’ using packing materials such as blanket wrap. All furniture pieces including sofas, armchairs, beds, tables and cupboards can be packed and shipped in a container.

As large items are bulky you consider which are cost effective to send. For example, most houses and apartments in Spain have built-in wardrobes so it might not be worthwhile shipping these.

Absolutely! We can help you ship your car to Spain and it can be transported in the same vehicle or container as your household goods or sent separately.

Some paperwork will be required but we can help you ensure it is all completed correctly, and our agents will take care of customs clearance for you.

United International Removals take great care to ensure your belongings are well-packed and taken care of during their journey. We only use accredited shipping lines and partners to ensure the highest service levels.

However, due to the nature of international shipping and removals, it is recommended that you take out your own maritime insurance policy or shipment protection cover for complete peace of mind. Just like when you mail a parcel overseas, the shipping company cannot cover the full value of your goods in the unlikely event of something going missing or being broken.

We can offer and recommend a highly flexible Shipment Protection Cover that will provide you with many advantages.

This cover is simple and easy to put in place. All that is required is completing a shipment protection valuation form detailing the items that need to be covered and their value.

The shipment protection costs are calculated on the value of the belongings you want to cover and whether you have packed them yourself or if they have been packed professionally.

Will you need storage in the UK or Spain?

Moving from one location in the UK to another is rarely the smooth process that people hope for, so it goes without saying that when you move to another country, the entire process can become a little trickier.

Often people find that they have a period once they have sold their property and before they move when they need to place their belongings in storage, and this is something we can help you with.

We have several storage solutions depending on your needs. We can arrange storage for your personal effects in the UK before they are shipped or in Spain after they arrive – whichever suits your situation.

Suppose the issue is that you do not have a fixed address in Spain to ship your belongings to. In that case, we can arrange for your household goods and personal effects to be placed in storage in Spain whilst you sort out accommodation.

Once you have a property ready, our local movers can arrange delivery of your belongings from storage.

Many of our customers worry about customs clearance for all of their belongings when they arrive in Spain especially since Brexit. This is something that we can help you with. You may find the following information useful when planning your move.

If you are an EU citizen you should have no problem with customs. For non-EU citizens moving to Spain you are able to import used personal effects and household goods duty free but you should check that you meet the requirements and have all the correct documentation.

Customs regulations and duties are subject to change, so it can be a good idea to check for the most up-to-date guidelines and information.

If you do not meet the criteria for household effects, or it is deemed that your goods are commercial imports, then Customs duty and GST may be applied.

On arrival in Spain, your household goods and personal effects will require inspection and clearance from Spanish Customs before they are allowed into the country.

In order for your shipping container to be released, you will need to pay any Spain Customs inspections and customs fees, and also any quarantine fees. These will be payable locally. Our agents in Spain will be able to assist you with the customs clearance process.

The personal Move Coordinator who is assigned to you when you choose us to assist with your removal will be able to advise you with information regarding what you can and can’t take to Spain and how you can prepare and clean your items for shipping. If you prefer, our expert packers can help you with this.