SPAIN
Logistic and forwarding services in Spain
Spain
Capital City
Madrid
Population
46 Mio.
National languages
Spanish, Catalan, Basque, Galizish and Valenzianish
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Gross national product (GNP)
USD 1‘407 Mrd
GNP per person
USD 30‘278
Financial exports to Switzerland
CHF 5‘846 Mio.
Financial imports from Switzerland
CHF 4‘834 Mio
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Spain
The two countries maintain good relations and political contacts in many areas at the highest level. There is an intensive political, economic and cultural exchange between Switzerland and Spain.
Economic cooperation
Switzerland and Spain have traditionally maintained close economic ties. Their volume of trade, i.e. combined imports and exports, amounted to approximately CHF 10.7 billion in 2014. Switzerland regularly runs a trade surplus with Spain, albeit one that – along with exports – has been continuously decreasing in recent years. The principal categories of goods traded are pharmaceutical and chemical products, precious metals and jewellery, and machinery and vehicles.
Business language
Spanish, French (Catalan area), English (limited).
Dimensions and weights
Metric system.
Currency
National currency: €
ISO code: EUR
Customs tariff
Harmonised system, customs clearance based on the transaction value.
Import control
EU goods are freely available. Signed invoices in Spanish (3 copies) with all standard information are required for customs clearance for non-EU goods. There are special regulations on the designation of goods (the raw materials must be indicated). Discussing this with the importer in advance is advisable. The Canary Islands have been part of the customs territory of the EU since 1 July 1991 but still require preferential shipping documents for import. Ceute and Melilla, however, are still part of the third territory.
Medications are subject to registration.
The import and export of coins, bearer cheques, bank notes and gold above EUR 10.000 must be declared (and evidence of origin provided).
Standard VAT rate: 21% (reduced rate: 10/4%). Reimbursement of VAT paid is possible.
The Canary Islands of Ceuta and Melilla are not deemed to be national territory subject to VAT.
Terms of payment and tenders
Standard letter of credit, payment in advance, documents against payment. In the case of the latter ensure that the goods are only delivered in return for payment by instructing the bank/freight forwarder accordingly. Agree precisely how they payment is to be made in the contract. Tenders only in EUR in Spanish, French or English.
Designations of origin
Designations of origin on goods and box labelling are not required. Misleading statements about the origin of the goods are forbidden. There are special labelling regulations for animals, plants, foods, alcohol, textiles, leather, precious metals, cement, roof slates, vehicles and vehicle parts and toys. EUR 1 or evidence of preferential origin. The following are required for Ceuta and Melilla: for shipments of a value of more than EUR 6.000: EUR 1 (1 copy). The movement certificate (to be filled in by the exporter) is issued by the customs office. For shipments of a value of up to EUR 6.000: the following declaration must be made by the exporter (as evidence of the preferential origin) on the invoice or in another commercial document: “El exportador de los productos incluidos en el presente documento declara que, salvo indicación en sentido contrario, estos productos gozan de un origen preferencial …”. Place and date, signature. The full name of the person signing the declaration must be indicated underneath the signature.
Special regulations for the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are part of the customs territory of the EU. Use T2LF as a preference document (to be confirmed by the customs office from a value of EUR 10.000).
Packaging
Comply with the special regulations for food packaging. The following information must be provided as a minimum: product description, list of ingredients, weight and quantity, best before date, instructions for storage, instructions for use, precise information about the manufacturer and product series number.
The EU Directive sets out that packaging materials made of wood must be manufactured from round logs. This EU regulation goes beyond the necessary treatment set out in the ISPM 15 standard.
Product samples
Duty free where there is no retail value.