There is no US–EU free trade agreement, so all commercial shipments from the USA to Spain go through standard EU customs clearance on arrival.
Shipping goods from the United States to Spain means entering EU customs territory — with all the paperwork, duties and procedures that come with it. Whether you are a US company selling into the Spanish market or an individual sending goods across the Atlantic, here is what you need to know before the shipment leaves.
At a glance
Trade agreementNone — standard EU tariffs apply to US goods
Import duty0–20%+ depending on product HS code
Import VAT21% IVA on customs value + duty
By air (East Coast)~2–5 days door-to-door
By sea (East Coast)~12–18 days port-to-port
Does the USA have a trade agreement with Spain?
No. There is currently no free trade agreement between the United States and the European Union. This means US goods entering Spain pay the standard EU Common Customs Tariff — the same rates that apply to any country without a preferential arrangement. Unlike goods from the UK (which have a zero-duty agreement under the TCA) or Canada (CETA), American exports receive no tariff preference.
In practice, many industrial goods and electronics already carry a 0% EU tariff under multilateral agreements — but for categories like clothing, footwear, food or automotive parts, the standard duty rate applies in full. The exact rate always depends on the HS tariff code of the product.
What does the customs process look like on arrival in Spain?
When a shipment from the USA arrives at a Spanish airport or port, it enters EU customs territory. The Spanish importer — or their freight forwarder and customs agent — must file an import declaration (the DUA) with the correct product classifications, declared value and supporting documents. Customs then calculates the applicable import duty and VAT, which must be paid or guaranteed before the goods are released.
1
Shipment departs the USAUS exporter files Electronic Export Information (EEI) via AES for commercial shipments above the value threshold.
2
Arrives at Spanish airport or portCargo enters a bonded terminal under customs control. No goods leave until clearance is complete.
3
Customs declaration filedThe Spanish importer or their agent submits the DUA with HS codes, value and documents. Duty and VAT are calculated.
4
Duties and VAT paidPayment or guarantee provided. Customs may carry out a physical inspection before release.
5
Goods released for deliveryCargo cleared and available for collection or onward transport to the final destination in Spain.
What are the transport options from the USA to Spain?
Both air and sea freight are regularly used on the US–Spain route, serving very different needs:
The choice of Incoterm determines who handles freight, insurance and customs at each stage. For most US-to-Spain shipments, DAP (Delivered at Place) is a practical starting point: the US exporter covers freight and insurance to the agreed destination in Spain, and the Spanish buyer handles import customs and duties on arrival.
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) is commercially attractive for Spanish buyers but puts the full burden — including EU customs compliance — on the US exporter. Unless the US company has an established EU logistics operation, DDP is difficult to manage correctly. EXW terms, on the other hand, leave almost everything to the Spanish buyer from the moment the goods leave the US warehouse.
The invoice value is not the landed cost. A US company quoting on a DAP or CIF basis needs to factor in international freight, Spanish customs duty, import VAT, the customs agent fee, and port or airport handling charges. What looks like a competitive price ex-works can change significantly once the goods are cleared in Spain. We can help you build an accurate landed cost estimate before you quote your customer.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. There is no US–EU trade agreement, so American goods pay the standard EU Common Customs Tariff on arrival in Spain. Rates vary by product — many industrial goods carry 0% but clothing, footwear and some food categories attract higher rates. Spanish import VAT at 21% applies on top of the customs value plus duty.
Standard documents are the commercial invoice (with HS codes, full product description, declared value and Incoterm), packing list, and transport document (airway bill or bill of lading). The US exporter may also need to file Electronic Export Information (EEI) via AES. Additional certificates may be required depending on the product type.
By air from the East Coast: roughly 2–5 days door-to-door. By sea from the East Coast: approximately 12–18 days port-to-port, plus 1–3 days for customs clearance in Spain. West Coast origins add further transit time by sea. Actual times vary by carrier and service level.
DAP (Delivered at Place) is the most practical choice for most US exporters — you cover freight to Spain, and the Spanish importer handles customs and duties on arrival. DDP passes full cost and compliance to the exporter, which is complex unless you have EU logistics infrastructure. EXW leaves most responsibility to the Spanish buyer from pickup.
Yes. Any company or individual regularly importing into Spain from outside the EU needs an EORI number to file a customs declaration. It is issued by the Spanish Tax Agency (AEAT). Without it, goods cannot clear Spanish customs. A freight forwarder can advise on the registration process.
Yes, but EU customs rules still apply. Goods above €150 in value are subject to import duty; all commercial shipments above €0 are subject to Spanish import VAT at 21%. Courier companies handle the customs formalities for parcels, but the recipient is responsible for any duties and taxes on arrival.
