Moving from United States to Spain is a container sea-freight corridor with a typical door-to-door transit of 3–5 weeks. A two-bedroom household of roughly 18–22 m³ usually lands between $7,600 and $9,700 on a full-service basis, calculated from route distance, regional handling costs and shipment volume.
On arrival, Spain applies Franquicia por traslado de residencia (AEAT) under EU customs framework (jurisdiction-specific). Import VAT in Spain is 21%, and relief is what keeps your household goods out of that charge. Shipments normally arrive through Valencia or Barcelona.
This page covers what actually changes on the United States → Spain route: what you will pay, how long the shipment is at sea, the paperwork Spain customs expects from a departure in United States, and what to do about pets, a vehicle and somewhere to live when you land.
Departures from United States normally load at New York / New Jersey, Savannah, Houston. Household goods leaving the US move under an ocean carrier booking filed with US Customs at least 24 hours before loading. Personal effects shipments are normally filed by your forwarder; you sign a power of attorney authorising them to act. Video or in-home surveys are widely available across the continental US; crews are typically scheduled 2–4 weeks ahead. The corridor covers roughly 4,115 nautical miles.
| Home size | Estimated volume | Typical method | Door-to-door range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Few Items | 3–5 m³ | LCL groupage (shared container) | $3,100–$4,000 |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | 8–12 m³ | LCL groupage (shared container) | $4,900–$6,300 |
| 2-Bedroom Home | 18–22 m³ | 20-foot container (sole-use FCL) | $7,600–$9,700 |
| 3-Bedroom Home | 28–32 m³ | 20-foot container (sole-use FCL) | $8,300–$10,500 |
| 4+ Bedroom Home | 45–60 m³ | 40-foot high-cube container (FCL) | $11,500–$14,500 |
Ranges are calculated from route distance, shipment volume and regional handling costs. This is an estimated relocation cost for planning purposes, not a binding quote. Final pricing is confirmed by a vetted international moving partner after a survey.
Booking & packing lead time
4–6 weeks in peak season (May–September), 2–3 weeks off-peak
Port-to-port sailing
3–5 weeks
Clearance & delivery
4–6 weeks typical clearance window in Spain
Shipments from United States are treated as an import from outside Spain's customs territory. The requirements below apply, and the supporting evidence customs will ask for — proof of address, residence history, ownership records — must be documents issued in United States.
Franquicia por traslado de residencia (AEAT) — EU customs framework (jurisdiction-specific)
Relief from import duty and 21% import VAT on used household goods is available under the EU transfer-of-residence rules, but it must be applied for — it is not automatic. In Spain, the filing is handled through Agencia Tributaria (AEAT).
Conditions
Documents from United States
Rules vary by destination and may also depend on your country of origin, immigration status and circumstances. This guide is educational and is not legal, tax or customs advice.
Open the full customs guideSpain grants duty and VAT relief on used household goods for people transferring their normal residence, provided the shipment is declared within 12 months of arrival.
Find furnished temporary housing through our AltoVita partnership.
MyExpatGo helps connect you with temporary housing options. Availability is subject to AltoVita and provider inventory — MyExpatGo does not guarantee or book accommodation.
Spain is a standard-complexity pet destination, regulated by Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación. Allow 1–2 months of preparation before departure from United States. Quarantine: 0 days.
Spain pet import requirementsVehicles must pass an ITV technical inspection and have amber indicators and European-spec headlights before registration; Impuesto de Matriculación then applies unless ToR relief is granted. A vehicle registered in United States may need conformity, lighting or emissions work before it can be road-legal in Spain.
Vehicle import guide
Nobel Relocation
Family-run, FAIM-certified US mover with East Coast hubs in Miami, Atlanta and Maryland.
Orphee Beinoglou
Greece's leading specialist in relocation, fine art and exhibition logistics — trusted since 1923.
Atlas International Movers
Dutch-Swiss international removals group with 40+ years of door-to-door household, corporate and office relocation experience.
Argo Mobility
Boutique Romanian mover offering single-point-of-contact door-to-door household, vehicle and office relocations.
Asian Tigers
Asia's leading relocation group with 14 country offices across the region's primary commercial centres.
Partners do not pay to be part of the matched network. How we vet partners.
Tell us what you are shipping and we will match you with vetted movers who run this corridor. Free, no obligation, and partners never pay for placement.
