Includes information on average tariff rates and types that U.S. firms should be aware of when exporting to the market.
Last Published: 6/21/2019

Spanish Customs values shipments at C.I.F. (cost, insurance and freight) prices.  For U.S. products, the tariff rate averages five percent.  A registered customs agent must clear all shipments through customs.  Usually, total costs to clear customs are between 20 to 30 percent of the shipment's C.I.F. value.  This estimate includes tariffs, a 21 percent Value Added Tax (VAT), plus customs agent and handling fees.  Total costs are lower for goods assessed at lower VAT levels (i.e. foodstuffs).

Additional detailed information on customs duties is available here.

The rules applying to specific products being imported into the customs territory of EU or, in some cases, exported from it, are available in the Integrated Tariff of the Community, referred to as TARIC (Tarif Intégré de la Communauté). The TARIC is also used to help determine if a license is required for a particular product.

The TARIC can be  searched by country of origin, Harmonized System (HS) Code, and product description on the interactive website of the Directorate-General for Taxation and the Customs Union. The online TARIC is updated daily.  Moreover, the European Commission maintains an export helpdesk with information on import restrictions of various products - Export Help.

Import documentation and tariffs for agricultural products are similar to those of other EU countries. Some agricultural commodities such as soybeans, sunflower seeds, corn by-products and lumber are tariff free or subject to minimal tariffs.  However, the majority of food and agricultural products covered by the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) like grains are subject to tariffs, tariff rate quotas, and / or variable import levies which significantly restrict access to the Spanish market.

For information on EU regulations on imports, please refer to Doing Business in the European Union: 2019 Country Commercial Guide for U.S. Companies 

 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.