Moving to Spain

Moving to a new home from another home can be an exciting process. The key to a successful international door-to-door relocation is planning. Whether it is office relocating or expat services, you need a professional to help you plan your move from the first step to the last.

Moving Tips

The Moving Date

Keep this in mind when choosing the moving date:

The first or last few days of the month tend to be the busiest times for moving to new locations - avoid them. Spain's numerous holidays could very easily result in unnecessary delays so check our holiday calendar before setting your moving date.

Professional Packing for International Moves

While it is reasonable to pack your things for a move across town or the country, you should have professionally trained packers to wrap and pack your personal possessions in cartons and shipping crates to protect them from international stresses and damage. Whether your household or office is shipped in a lift-van, a steamship container or an air container will be determined by the size of the shipment and its destination.

A lift-van ranges in size from 185 to 210 cubic feet. This wooden or plywood container with skids is normally loaded using a forklift. A lift-van is lined with water-resistant paper and caulked to prevent leakage. Steamship companies supply containers. Air containers range in size from five- to 100-cubic feet. Small shipments are packed in containers of triple-layer corrugated cardboard; larger shipments by air are normally crated instead of boxed.

Means of Transport

Motor freight carrier, railroad, steamship line, or airline will be used to ship your household goods. Your packed and loaded shipment will be transported to the port of exit by truck or rail. There the container(s) will be loaded into a vessel or into an aircraft.

The Cost of Moving

Insist that your moving representative makes a thorough survey of your entire home, determining the shipping costs for moving to Spain. The representative must see everything to be moved, including any items in the garage, basement or attic. This moving quote estimate should detail the charges for packing and transporting your household goods. Be aware that extra pickups or deliveries, servicing of electrical appliances or additional insurance in case any item is lost or damaged in transit will not be considered in the estimate. Only one invoice should be received, regardless of how your shipment is transported. You (or your employer, if you are being transferred) should be given the invoice.

Signing an Order For Service

You will normally sign an "Order For Service" agreement at the time your goods are loaded and again at delivery. An Order For Service contains all charges for services performed, in addition to terms and conditions under which your goods are moved.

Tracking Your Move

Use a moving company that provides you with a Moving Order Number on your Order For Service to track your move and to ensure there is no confusion. A professional moving company will utilizs a computerized monitoring system to track shipments, with the shipment's progress is updated throughout the transit.

Insuring Your Move

You will choose the level of carrier liability in terms of dollars and cents per pound for your shipped goods, per item/package on the Order For Service.

Payment for Your Shipment

Before the goods are moved to the port of exit, payment for your shipment normally must be received unless prior arrangements have been made. As soon as your shipment is prepared, you should be notified of the actual charges. Most firms require a cashier's check, money order, travelers' checks or cash payment. It is rare for personal checks to be accepted. Corporate transferees need a Purchase Order or Letter of Authorization from their company.

When moving to a new country, payments to the destination agent and customs officials are often required to be in the currency of your new country. Prior to delivery, any additional charges not included in your transportation cost, such as those for extra pickups or deliveries or storage must be paid to the destination agent.

Services and Fees

Customs services in all countries collect fees or duties on some imported and, less commonly, on exported goods. Going through customs when exiting the origin country and again when entering the destination country is common.

The U.S. Customs Service publications on international moving are available. Check the Customs Service's Internet site for online publications or call (202) 354-1000 for tape-recorded messages and to request publications or write: U.S. Customs Service, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington D.C. 20229.

For information on dutiable items when moving to a new country from another, check in advance with customs offices for both countries. Requirements can differ between countries.

Be on hand to answer questions, to provide additional documentation if necessary and to pay any duties that are levied against your goods when your shipment goes through customs. Keep the official receipts. When you leave the country, some of these duties may be refundable.

Shipping Unique Items

When moving to a new country, answers to questions about customs on unique or unusual items you want to take along come from the consulate, embassy or customs office for your destination country. Be sure to receive a written declaration from the consulate/embassy stating the item can be allowed to enter as part of your shipment if it is at all disputed.

Customs Screens These Items

Customs offices of your origin and destination countries often screen the items listed below:

Household Goods

Most countries permit duty-free entry of used household goods more than a year old. Few allow free entry of items that are less than a year old. Before moving to a new country, decide about buying new items to take abroad, paying duty on them might be less preferable to purchasing the items after the move if they are available at destination. Items ordered by mail while living abroad are subject to duty that you are required to pay.

Flammables and Restricted Items

International laws prohibit the transportation of flammable items, such as matches, candles, paint, and cleaning and lighting fluids. In addition, a list of other items that are restricted, prohibited, or in need of licenses or permits can be provided by the Spanish consulate or embassy.

Alcohol, Tobacco, Cameras, Unexposed Film, Key Documents

When moving to a new country, carry but do not ship these goods with you: alcohol, tobacco, cameras and unexposed film. Do not have them packed in your household goods shipment. Many countries limit the amount of these items you can bring. The consulate, embassy or customs office for your destination country can tell you the quantities permitted. In addition, safeguard the following items by carrying them: birth and marriage certificates, divorce decrees, bank drafts, letters of credit, tax documents and Social Security Records.

Cars

Documents of registry is required certifying the vehicle has been owned by customer for at least 6 months before release to contract abroad. Duty free but subject to 13% registration fee.

Restricted Items

Fire arms and ammunition are subject to special regulation. Special permits are required and issued through the Spanish authorities.

Alcohol and Tobacco are not prohibited items, but may only be shipped in moderate quantities.