CANARY ISLANDS – IMPORT REGULATIONS

At the time of compiling this information sheet, the following documentation is required to import household goods and personal effects into the Canary Islands.

The following applies to goods being cleared on the island named.

Tenerife

NIE or Residencia (NIE is an ID number issued by the police dept)
Certificate of Empardonameiento (This is proof of address issued by the town hall)

Gran Canaria

Document form county council in the UK to prove previous address
NIE (this is an ID number issued by the police dept)
Certificate of Empardonameiento (This is proof of address issued by the town hall)
Passport (A photocopy is not acceptable)

NB- if the document from the UK is not provided the goods can be cleared through customs but there will be a tax payable.

Lanzarote

NIE (this is an ID number issued by the police dept)
Copy Passports / Residencia
Escritura with ‘Modelo 600’ or rental agreement
Certificate of Empardonameiento (This is proof of address issued by the town hall)

NB – taxation is an important issue in Lanzarote. Until recently clients had to have modelo 600 (tax paid upon completion of house deeds) OR rental with proof that the owner has paid tax on the rental home. Otherwise the client automatically paid import tax. Things seem to have eased but all clients should be advised that there is often import tax to pay in Lanzarote and that they should always check with Worldwide Movers.

Fuerteventura

NIE (this is an ID number issued by the police dept)
Copy Passports
Original Certificado de Empardonameiento (proof of address from the town hall) Must be submitted to avoid paying import tax
If no NIF is available, clearance can go ahead however there will be additional charges.

La Palma

NIE (this is an ID number issued by the police dept)
Copy Passports
Original Certificado de Empardonameiento (proof of address from the town hall) Must be submitted to avoid paying import tax

Customs regulations state that all clients must sign an authorisation form. While they do not have to do this in person, they do require an original signature on the document, which means that the designated agent will have to have the document delivered to the client and returned to them prior to the arrival of the vessel for presentation with all other customs documentation.

Motor Vehicles

You will need to present a copy of the registration document that should be in the name of the importer. Clients should have owned the car for more than two years and been resident in the Canaries for less than 12 months to avoid any tax. If tax is due it is 13% of the market value of the car as decided by Customs/ Canarian Government