Spainbox is proud to offer you access to our Spain warehouse. To help smooth the process, we recommend using this guide to enter the European market.
Spanish customs brokers
Since goods arriving at a Spain warehouse must be DDP (Delivered Duty Paid, or free of all import taxes or customs clearance charges), Spainbox is too a custom broker and can advice about the duties and import taxes and suggest you the most efficient way to clear customs. Spainbox as a licensed customs broker will fill out paperwork and obtain the required documentation to complete the import.
On this page
- Register your business in Spain
- Confirm goods can be imported
- Duties, taxes, and tariffs
- Understanding shipping into Spain
- Understanding pricing
Register your business in Spain
You will need to register your business with the Tax Agency of Spain in order to import inventory in bulk. There are two ways to do this, and whether you register your business with a local tax ID (NIF) or get a customs and import ID (EORI) will depend on your business arrangement.
Business registration
This process provides you with a Spanish Tax ID (NIF); your business will operate as a Spain business for VAT and tax (see Duties, taxes, and tariffs section). For a referral to a tax accountant in Spain, contact us. To do it yourself, go to the Revenue and Customs Business Site of Spain.
Non registration trade ID
Fill with 036 pages 1, 2B and 3 and attach the following documentation, original and photocopy of a document proving the existence of the non-resident entity in your country. writing of the company, certification of a notary, a tax entity. This documentation must be translated by an official translator, and the apostille of the Hague if applicable.
Company will need a representative company or person in Spain.
Its required a power of attorney demonstrating that person or entity will act on behalf of this entity in spain, original and photocopy, translated by an official translator and possibly with the Apostille of The Hague
– If you are a person. NIE or photocopy of the person.
– If representative a company Photocopy of Tsx identification number of the company, the identity card of the representative of that entity and its powers.
- Verify qualifications – Refer to FAQs. This is for non-Spanish businesses that want to import into Spain or EU without a business registration.
- Apply – In order to obtain an EORI number, you must submit an application form. There are two ways you can apply: electronically (through email) or with a hard copy. Application forms must be fully completed and signed by a responsible person within your business (i.e. director, partner, or sole proprietor). If the information you provide is incomplete or inaccurate, the application form will be returned to you or you’ll be contacted to correct the information.
- You must complete the form and send it by post (along with supporting documents) to the EORI processing team at the following address, you can request an appointment here:
- Delegacion de la Agencia Tributaria de Cordoba
- Av Gran Capitan, 8
- 14001 Cordoba (Cordoba) Spain
In most cases, the EORI application will be processed between 4 and 5 working days of receipt. It will take a further day to update CHIEF and EU EORI systems. You will be notified in writing of your new EORI number. At peak periods, processing may take up to 1 week. For further reference, see the Revenue EORI System FAQ page.
Confirm your goods can be imported
Prior to importing your products, identify any regulations on the goods you plan to import. Make sure the goods are not prohibited from coming into Spain and determine whether or not the goods you want to import are subject to import control restrictions or other requirements. This guide is a useful reference for import regulations.
Duties, tariffs, and taxes
Import and customs
Spain and the EU are not free trade between the U.S. Inventory must pass through customs in order to be imported and you will need to pay tax and customs duties. Here, you can look up customs duties and restrictions for your products. NOTE: It can take a few weeks for inventory to clear customs. If you are using a third party customs broker or freight forwarder, plan for delays on the initial imports and take into consideration any time-sensitive products. The following forms are needed to clear customs:
- A completed Single Administrative Document (SAD) form: SAD is the customs declaration form all importers or agents must complete to declare goods to customs. The form specifies information about the parties involved in the import, how the goods were transported, and statistical data. A paper SAD form (presented manually) is certified when it is stamped by a customs official. Customs will then issue an Entry Acceptance Advice in place of a stamp as proof that entry was accepted by customs.
- An attached copy of the supplier’s invoice (used for VAT)
- Goods classified appropriately in order to ensure that the correct tariff is applied
- Any special licenses required
Payment of customs duties
Once an import SAD has been submitted and accepted by customs and excise, amounts owed are due. All duties and tariffs must be paid before they are released. Importers with goods arriving regularly usually pay using a Deferment Account. You can also pay by Sterling traveler check, bank draft, or company check.
VAT tax implications
If you have sold in the Spain or Europe in the past and had product returned by end buyers because they received their purchase and a nasty VAT bill, you already know to watch out for Value Added Tax. Moving product in bulk to your new Spain facility means you clear VAT once and establish the Import VAT base by shipping it to yourself. You now know your base VAT tax obligation and can reprice your merchandise accordingly.
Understanding VAT is one tiny example. When importing goods into the European Union, Value Added Tax (VAT) plays an important role. The seller of goods imported into an EU Member State is required to pay the import VAT to Customs to enable the goods to be cleared and delivered to our warehouse and Fulfillment center in Spain. Your company then sells its goods to its customers and charges VAT on these sales. The company collects the VAT and the amount is declared on the monthly/quarterly VAT return. In addition, the import VAT collected is also declared on the monthly/quarterly VAT return. The net amount to pay the tax office is then calculated as: Sales VAT less [import VAT + other vendor invoice VAT].
- Here is an article about How to import in Spain for NON European companies, Get your EORI and file your tax returns
Understanding shipping in Spain
Setting up a presence in Spain
Spainbox can forward mail or phone numbers for your business. If you require mail forwarding or phone numbers, use our Mail forwarding from Spain services to setup a presence in Spain.
Spain Shipping methods
Spainbox provides a variety of shipping methods for merchants shipping from the warehouse in Spain. A complete list of available options is provided here for your convenience. NOTE: Shipping options are subject to change, please confirm that your preferred shipping method is available by searching for it within your account.
- UPS Express Saver
- UPS Standard
- UPS Express
- Fedex International Priority
- Fedex International Economy
- TNT Global Express
- TNT Economy
- DHL express
- Correos International Economy
- Correos EMS
- Chronoexpress
Understanding pricing
Spainbox has purposely aligned the way it prices its services with the needs of the fast-growing business. Our pricing is designed to be simple and transparent, to not require any management or oversight on your part, and to reward increased order volume. Learn more about pricing:
Shipping fees are denominated in Euros. Shipping rates may fluctuate as the Euro fluctuates.
To avoid the hassle to have to register your company in Spain, since this year Spainbox owns a tax warehouse, duly licensed by the Spanish authorities, which enables companies to conduct purchase or sale operations without having to pay Value added taxes (VAT, IVA in Spanish) at the time of purchase or on receipt of the goods in Spain
Check more info at Spainbox Customs declarations and consulting services page
