🇨🇳 China → 🇪🇸 Spain
Compliance path
China-Spain shipments enter via Barcelona, Valencia, or Algeciras with Spanish IVA 21% and EU CN8 tariff. Yiwu-Madrid rail freight (the world's longest scheduled rail route at 13,000 km) takes 20-22 days. Air freight 6-9 days. Common lanes: textiles, footwear-machinery, consumer electronics, solar PV.
Commonly shipped items on this lane
1. Can I bring goods from China to Spain?
Travellers entering Spain from China are subject to Spain's personal allowances and declaration rules. The Agencia Tributaria — Aduanas (Spanish Tax Agency Customs) sets allowances for alcohol, tobacco, and personal goods. Anything above the allowance must be declared at the red channel.
- Alcohol allowance: 4 L
- Cigarette allowance: 200
- Personal-goods allowance: ~USD 540
- Cash declaration threshold: USD 11000
2. Can I post goods from China to Spain?
Parcels move through Spain's postal-customs flow. Typical transit time on this lane is 11 days. Every international parcel needs a CN22 (under ~USD 300) or CN23 (above) customs declaration. Use accurate descriptions and HS codes — vague labels are the single biggest cause of postal customs holds.
Correos (Spanish postal service) and customs handle international parcel clearance. IVA (VAT) applies on all imported goods. Items above €150 require full customs declaration and duty payment.
3. Can I import commercially from China to Spain?
Yes. Commercial importers into Spain need an importer of record, a customs declaration filed with Agencia Tributaria — Aduanas (Spanish Tax Agency Customs), a commercial invoice, a packing list, and goods classified to the appropriate HS code. Some categories (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, chemicals, weapons, art) require additional permits or certificates.
4. Duties, VAT/GST and de minimis
No FTA is in force on this lane, so MFN tariff rates apply. Spain levies 21% VAT/GST on commercial imports. Postal / courier de minimis: €150 EUR.
EU de minimis rules apply: €150 for customs duty. VAT applies to all goods regardless of value since July 2021. IVA (Spanish VAT) is collected at import. Canary Islands (outside EU VAT area) have their own tax — IGIC (7%).
5. FTA + rules of origin
No FTA is in force on this lane. MFN tariff applies; check Agencia Tributaria — Aduanas (Spanish Tax Agency Customs)'s tariff tool for line-level rates.
6. Documents you may need
- Commercial invoice (every commercial shipment).
- Packing list.
- Transport document — air waybill (AWB) or bill of lading (B/L).
- Customs declaration (filed by importer of record or broker).
- Sector permits where applicable: phytosanitary, veterinary, medicines, telecom, weapons, art.
- Importer EORI / tax-ID where required by Spain.
7. Common problems on this route
- Undervaluation flagged at clearance, leading to revaluation and back-duty.
- Incorrect HS classification — duty rate moves up an entire tariff line.
- Missing origin documentation: FTA preference lost, MFN duty assessed.
- Vague descriptions on CN22 / CN23: parcel held pending clarification.
- Sanctions / dual-use screening for sensitive commodities.
- Biosecurity holds on food, plant, animal and wood-packaging items.
- Lithium-battery air-cargo refusal for non-compliant packaging.
8. High-risk item categories
No prohibited or restricted items flagged in the top-items list for this lane. Still verify any sensitive cargo against the official customs authority.
Generally restricted categories into Spain:
- Firearms and weapons (Guardia Civil authorisation required)
- Certain medicines (AEMPS — Spanish Drug Agency authorisation)
- Food products from outside EU (subject to SPS checks)
- Plants and plant products (phytosanitary certificate from non-EU)
- Cultural and artistic goods (may require export certificate from origin country)
- Endangered species (CITES permits)
9. Official sources
- Agencia Tributaria — Aduanas (Spanish Tax Agency Customs) — destination customs authority.
- General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) — origin customs authority.
- Spain country profile — full source panel and rule index.
10. Related tools
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring goods from China to Spain as a traveller?
Yes. Travellers from China entering Spain are subject to Spain's personal allowances and declaration rules. Alcohol allowance: 4 L. Cigarette allowance: 200. Personal goods allowance: ~USD 540. Declare anything above these limits at the red channel.
Can I send a parcel from China to Spain?
Yes — parcels move through Spain's postal-customs flow. Typical transit: 11 days. De minimis: €150 EUR. Always attach a CN22 or CN23 declaration with accurate description, value, and HS code.
Can I import commercially from China to Spain?
Yes. Commercial imports into Spain require an importer of record, customs declaration via Agencia Tributaria — Aduanas (Spanish Tax Agency Customs), commercial invoice, packing list, and HS-classified goods. MFN duty applies; check the destination's tariff tool for the applicable rate.
What duties and taxes apply on this lane?
Non-FTA lane: MFN tariff applies. Spain levies 21% VAT/GST on commercial imports. De minimis below €150 EUR.
Do I need a Certificate of Origin?
No agreement is in force on this lane, so a Certificate of Origin is not required for preferential duty. It is still useful for valuation and product-compliance purposes.
What is Spain's cash declaration threshold for travellers?
Travellers entering Spain must declare cash and equivalent bearer instruments above USD 11000.
What documents should I prepare?
Minimum: commercial invoice, packing list, transport document (AWB or B/L), and customs declaration. Add a Certificate of Origin if claiming FTA preference. Sensitive categories (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, dangerous goods) need sector-specific permits or certificates.
What can go wrong on this lane?
Common problems: undervaluation flagged at clearance, incorrect HS code triggering a higher duty, missing origin documentation losing the FTA preference, parcel held for vague description on CN22/CN23, sanctions / dual-use screening on certain commodities, and biosecurity holds on food / plant / animal products.
Country profiles
Reference only — not legal or customs advice. Customs rules change frequently. Always verify against the destination's customs authority before acting on any rule on this page.