International movers to Spain: shipping household goods from the US

Household goods travel from the US to Spain by sea. A mover packs and loads in the US, ships the container to a Spanish port such as Valencia, Barcelona or Algeciras, clears customs through an agent, and delivers to your home. The whole thing takes weeks, so plan to live without your things for a while.

Decide how much to bring

Shipping is priced by volume, and Spanish apartments are smaller than American homes. Many people bring only what is hard to replace and furnish locally.

• Electrical goods. Spain uses 230 volts at 50 hertz with European plugs. Laptops and phone chargers work with a plug adapter. Most US kitchen appliances, lamps and anything with a motor or heating element don’t, and aren’t worth shipping.
• Large furniture. Measure it against Spanish lifts, staircases and doorways. Big American sofas and king mattresses often don’t fit.
• Bedding. Spanish bed sizes differ from US sizes.

You can ship a full container, share one for a smaller load, or send a few boxes by air.

The duty-free allowance

People moving their main residence to Spain from outside the EU can usually import their used household goods without paying customs duty or VAT. The main conditions:

• You have lived outside the EU for at least twelve months.
• You have owned and used the goods for at least six months.
• The goods arrive within twelve months of your becoming resident.
• You don’t sell, rent or give them away for twelve months afterwards.

Customs wants proof that you are moving, which normally means your visa or TIE and your town hall registration, plus a signed inventory in Spanish. If the shipment arrives before your paperwork is complete, customs may ask for a deposit that is refunded later. Alcohol, tobacco and commercial goods are outside the allowance.

Your mover’s customs agent in Spain handles this and will tell you which documents the port currently asks for. See NIE, TIE and empadronamiento.

When to book

Ask for quotes three to four months before you move. Time the shipment so that it lands after you have an address and are registered at the town hall. Storage at the port is charged by the day.

What to ask before booking

• Is the quote door to door, including port fees, the Spanish customs agent and delivery up stairs or by exterior lift?
• Who is your partner in Spain, and who do I call if the shipment is held at customs?
• Will my goods have their own container or share one, and how does that change the timing?
• What is insured, for how much, and who handles a claim?
• What happens, and what does it cost, if my town hall registration or TIE isn’t ready when the goods arrive?
• Is my street accessible to a large truck, or is a smaller shuttle vehicle needed?

Common questions

Can I bring my furniture to Spain without paying import duty?

Usually yes. People moving their main home to Spain from outside the EU can import used household goods free of duty and VAT, if they have lived outside the EU for at least twelve months, have owned and used the goods for at least six months, and import them within twelve months of becoming resident. Customs asks for proof of your move, such as your town hall registration.

How long does shipping to Spain from the US take?

By sea, allow roughly six to ten weeks door to door, including packing, the ocean crossing and customs. It takes longer from the US west coast and if your goods share a container. Air freight takes days but costs far more.

Should I ship my car to Spain?

Usually not. A US car has to be modified and tested to meet European standards, registered and taxed, which often costs more than the car is worth. Most people sell before they leave and buy in Spain.