Importing to Spain

According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), Spain’s top exports include cars, refined petroleum, motor vehicle parts and accessories, and medical items like packaged medicaments, vaccines, blood, antisera, toxins, and cultures, mainly to France, Germany, Portugal, Italy, and the UK. Spain’s main imports include crude petroleum, petroleum gas, cars, packaged medicaments, and motor vehicle parts and accessories, mainly from Germany, China, France, Italy, and the US.

With 70% of Spain’s GDP coming from the service sector, the International Trade Administration notes many tech import opportunities for sectors like information and communication technology, security, and renewable energy.

Trade between Spain and other EU members is streamlined. As a member of the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA) member, transactions between Spain and other EEA members are duty-free. However, utilizing these benefits requires various documentation that an Importer of Record (IOR) can help you with.

All imports to and exports from Spain require permits, and re-exports require a certificate. These will need to be acquired from Spain’s Secretariat of Commerce. Other documents, such as the commercial invoice, airway bill, packing list, insurance documents, description of goods, and certificate of origin, are critical to avoid delays at customs.  Additionally, importers must use Spain’s online EDI system, Sistema de Intercambio Telemático, to declare their goods’ value and HS codes before their arrival or departure. 

To know if you need an export license, you’ll need to check if your goods are restricted and have an Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) on the Commerce Control List (CCL). Restricted goods include dual-use items (goods that can have both civilian and military uses) and even video game consoles.

Importing tech goods to Spain is complex. Between a web of EU compliance regulations and separate Spanish customs requirements, importers and exporters face many hurdles.

With our DDP shipping to Spain, TecEx takes on your compliance, logistics, and post-clearance responsibilities. This means we will source the required licenses and certificates, arrange secure shipping channels, and even arrange your goods’ storage, installation, or last-mile delivery once they have cleared customs. We also offer door-to-door liability cover to protect you against any potential damage or loss of your goods.

As a member of the EU, Spain is part of many Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). Our extensive understanding of these allows us to ascertain whether you qualify for these benefits and utilize them if you do.

Don’t let complicated compliance regulations prevent you from profiting from Spain’s emerging opportunities for tech traders. As experienced global compliance experts, we have solutions to import advanced tech goods like AI and GPUs safely.

Furthermore, temporary imports to Spain can be tricky, and you may need an ATA Carnet. This allows you to import goods duty-free into Spain and other countries temporarily. TecEx can help you temporarily import items seamlessly and re-export them on time to avoid penalties.

Export licenses and compliance requirements for seamless exports can take months to obtain. With our Exporter of Record (EOR) capabilities, TecEx can get the required documents on your behalf and facilitate a streamlined export process.