Driving to Spain from UK. - Driving, hiring, buying and owning a car in Vélez-Málaga - Vélez-Málaga forum - Costa del Sol forum in the Malaga province of Spain
Private Yoga Shiatsu  Reflexology RLD
ASSSA Insurance
Travel Caddy Costa del sol

Join the Vélez-Málaga forum

Join the Vélez-Málaga forumMy name's Alex and this is my website all about Vélez-Málaga in Spain. Register now for free to talk about Driving, hiring, buying and owning a car in Vélez-Málaga and much more!

Driving to Spain from UK.

Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2023 12:27pm
4 replies96 views3 members subscribed
griff51

Posts: 11

1 helpful points

Location: Vélez-Málaga

Joined: 18 Jan 2023

Hi everyone, I'm Steve, and my wife is Belinda, and we are hoping to move to Spain, eventually. We are thinking of driving down in our little van, so we can bring a small selection of household items with us, bed, linen, tv, and a few 'nick-nacks', etc, but we've heard it can be difficult getting through Spanish customs. The van is on Spanish plates and registered in Spain, but the items we bring are from the UK. Is this a good idea, or would we be better off buying stuff in Spain instead ?

Holaitsdavid

Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2023 2:19am

Holaitsdavid

Very helpful member

Posts: 1481

559 helpful points

Location: Mijas Costa

Joined: 30 Mar 2021

Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2023 2:19am

It's complex and you need 'the correct paper work', if you are moving residence to Spain and proof you lived in UK long term no duty, if not, the value of goods subject to Local VAT IVA. You need all the paper work for port customs. Good luck. 

Patrick8

Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2023 5:18am

Posts: 52

13 helpful points

Location: Fuengirola

Joined: 15 Dec 2018

Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2023 5:18am

I have done this exact journey more than 30 times (both ways) in a van from 2008 to present, carrying a large variety of goods, including items similar to what you describe.

I have never once experienced any problems or delays, and yes, I have, on occasion, been checked at the ports, ferries, etc.

It is quite common for people to bring household items from the UK when relocating to Spain, and vice versa, when people return to the UK after living in Spain.

Enjoy your journey.

Holaitsdavid

Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2023 3:33pm

Holaitsdavid

Very helpful member

Posts: 1481

559 helpful points

Location: Mijas Costa

Joined: 30 Mar 2021

Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2023 3:33pm

Patrick8 wrote on Sat Jan 28, 2023 5:18am:

I have done this exact journey more than 30 times (both ways) in a van from 2008 to present, carrying a large variety of goods, including items similar to what you describe.

I have never once experienced any problems or delays, and yes, I have, on occasion, been checked at the ports, ferries, etc.

It is quite common for people to bring household items from the UK when relocating to Spain, and vice versa, when people return to the UK after living in Spain.

Enjoy your journey.

UK import checks checks were delayed due to lack of infrastructure   https://www.ft.com/content/880e0687-62fc-4a55-9c0f-d0c5fb874dc9

I think might be active now, as for direct to Spain into EU, at ports Bilbao and Santander, I have had household goods imported that needed correct paper work, as my post, no idea how carful customs are at Calais right now and other ports.. I would not be fair to tell Steve, 'you do not need the correct customs paper work and inventory', only to find he has a problem. 

https://www.edwardseuropeanmoving.com/customs-requirements-when-moving-household-goods-to-spain/

griff51

Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2023 8:10pm

griff51

Original Poster

Posts: 11

1 helpful points

Location: Vélez-Málaga

Joined: 18 Jan 2023

Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2023 8:10pm

                        Thank you everyone, this forum is great for advice for folk like me. We have had terrible problems sending parcels from the UK to my daughter who lives near Velez-Malaga, and to be honest, from what people are saying, the toll fees, fuel, B&B, Ferry/Eurotunnel, etc, driving down seems to be a lot of hassle and expense. I think we'll fly over and buy stuff in Spain, it might turn out to be cheaper. 

                        Once again, thank you everyone, I really appreciate all your help and advice. Steve and Belinda.

Sign up for free or login to reply to this topic

Want to reply to this topic? Login or register for free to post your message:

Find more Driving, hiring, buying and owning a car topics from a particular area:


Register for free!

Login to your account

Private Yoga Shiatsu  Reflexology RLD
ASSSA Insurance
Travel Caddy Costa del sol
Advertise your business here
Advertise your property
Help with my computer