Certificate of Origin

A certificate of origin is not required for the import clearance of textiles.

The country or territory of origin must be stated on the invoice for each invoice line. If the customs authorities doubt the correctness of the declared country or territory of origin they may request an additional proof which might be a certificate of origin.

The Certificate of Origin must meet the following customs stipulations:

• Must be an original form.
• Must be issued and originally signed by the Chamber of Commerce.
• Must contain a seal or watermark in the paper.
• Must provide a detailed description of the goods. General descriptions of goods, such as clothes or garments will not be accepted.

Community Surveillance Document

A monitoring system has been implemented for textiles with the origin of China. Depending on the harmonized tariff code, the importer must provide an Import License. The application of the import license is based on an original Chinese export license. For detailed information, please contact your local Chamber of Commerce.

Declaration of Conformity

Declaration of Conformity (CE marking)
The European Community require certain standards on product safety for certain types of goods. The range of products covered by the directives must comply with the applicable directives when it is placed on the community market for the first time or put into use. Placing on the market in the meaning of the directives is the action of making a product available for the first time, either for payment or free of charge. 'Putting into service' takes place at the moment of first use within the Community by the end user (for example, produced for own use of the importer).

Range of products
The most important products are toys, in-vitro diagnostic medical devices, medical devices, machinery, low voltage equipment, safety devices (for example, helmets), exhaust systems and electromagnetic compatibility.For a full overview please see the EU website:

http://www.newapproach.org/Directives/DirectiveList.asp

Responsibilities
Manufacturers are defined as the persons responsible for designing and manufacturing products supposed to be placed on the EU market. The manufacturer has an obligation to ensure that a product intended to be placed on the Community market is designed and manufactured, and it's conformity assessed, to the essential requirements in accordance with the provisions of the directives. The manufacturer may appoint any natural or legal person, established in the European Union, to act on his behalf as an authorized representative.

The authorized representative may be addressed by the authorities of the member states in regard to the manufacturer's obligations.

The importer is defined as any legal or natural person responsible for placing products on the EU market. He is responsible to provide the market surveillance authority with the necessary information about the safety of the product and a copy of the Declaration of Conformity (DoC). If the manufacturer is established in the EU or has a so called authorized representative it is his obligation to provide the necessary information.

Conformity Assessment Procedure
Goods subject to the regulations on product safety need to be tested according to the rules applying for each group of products. Manufacturers have to draw up an EC declaration of conformity which is the first step of the conformity assessment procedure. The declaration of conformity has to include technical information containing the way of testing and the steps to be taken to obtain the attestation of conformity. The way of testing and steps to be taken depends on the type of product. If the testing was successful the producer is allowed to apply the so called 'CE sign' on the product or where this is not applicable (for example, surgical instruments) at the retail package or on a "Declaration of Conformity" certificate.

The "Declaration of Conformity" has to be issued by a notified body certified by a member state of the European Union.

Notified Body
A notified body is an organization certified by the national government to carry out the tasks of the conformity assessment procedures. They can offer their service to any economic operator inside and outside the European Community. They can carry out the tests or monitor the tests carried out by the manufacturer. They can carry out these activities inside the EU or on the territory of third countries or territories.

Information about notified bodies and notified bodies itself can be found on the EU website:

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/newapproach/nando

For additional information, please also refer to "Product Safety".

Free Trade Agreements

Bilateral free trade agreements or unilateral autonomous preferential agreements allow the import clearance of certain products with a reduced duty rate or with a full duty exemption. The products benefiting from the preferential treatment must fulfil the necessary rules of originating in a country or territory covered by the preferential trade agreement.

An exporter who wants his products to benefit from the preferential treatment must be able to prove that his products fulfill the rules to be originating in a country or territory covered by the preferential trade agreement and they must provide a preferential document validated by the customs authorities or document with a valid preferential statement issued by themselves.

The preferential trade agreement foresees the following preferential proofs under CETA-see Miscellaneous.

Import License

Customs may require an import license for certain products from certain countries or territories, depending on the harmonized tariff code.

The importer must obtain the import license. An original export license from the exporter of the country or territory of origin might be necessary to obtain the import license.

The requirement of an import license is dependent on the country or territory of origin of the goods not the country or territory of export. For further detailed information it is highly recommended to contact your chamber of commerce.

Miscellaneous

The EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is a trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and Canada. Under this agreement duty rates on traded goods can be reduced or eliminated.

All exporters of consignments of goods with a value greater than 6000 EUR to Canada must be registered in the Registered Exporters System (REX). If you register and are exporting consignments of goods with a value greater than 6000 EUR to Canada you can avail of preferences under CETA. To register you should register complete the EU exporters to Canada application form and send it to the Origin and Valuation Unit.

Exporters must use their REX number on the origin declaration to claim preference under CETA. If you are importing from Canada, you can qualify under CETA for preferences, but you do not have to register in REX.

The origin declaration, the text of which is given below, must be completed in accordance with the footnotes. However, the footnotes do not have to be reproduced.

(Period: from___________ to __________(1)) The exporter of the products covered by this document (customs authorization No ...(2)) declares that, except where otherwise clearly indicated, these products are of ...(3) preferential origin. ..(4) (Place and date) .(5) Signature and printed name of the exporter)__________________

(1) When the origin declaration is completed for multiple shipments of identical originating products within the meaning of Article 19.5, indicate the period of time for which the origin declaration will apply. The period of time must not exceed 12 months. All importations of the product must occur within the period indicated. Where a period of time is not applicable, the field can be left blank.

(2) For EU exporters: When the origin declaration is completed by an approved or registered exporter the exporter's customs authorization or registration number must be included. A customs authorization number is required only if the exporter is an approved exporter. When the origin declaration is not completed by an approved or registered exporter, the words in brackets must be omitted or the space left blank. For Canadian exporters: The exporter's Business Number assigned by the Government of Canada must be included. Where the exporter has not been assigned a business number, the field may be left blank.

(3) "Canada/EU" means products qualifying as originating under the rules of origin of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. When the origin declaration relates, in whole or in part, to products originating in Ceuta and Melilla, the exporter must clearly indicate the symbol "CM".

(4) These indications may be omitted if the information is contained on the document itself.

(5) Article 19.3 provides an exception to the requirement of the exporter's signature. Where the exporter is not required to sign, the exemption of signature also implies the exemption of the name of the signatory.

The European Commission provides detailed guidance on the rules of origin in the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)

MSDS-NON DG

Goods under IATA Special Provisions A67 require a MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet).

It is not required for all, however shipments can be held by local authority in United Arab Emirates after screening due to lack of MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) or NON DG (Dangerous Goods) declaration letter from the shipper resulting to misconnections and impacting end-to-end service.

It would be advisable for all shipments originating, transiting and terminating for UAE to have MSDS or NON DG declaration from shipper enclosed in the shipment and copies to be uploaded in IDIS.

Product Safety

Market Surveillance
Market Surveillance is organized and performed at national level. Each member state of the European Union (EU) is responsible for surveillance activities on its territory. Customs authorities are usually part of the market surveillance activities.

On customs request the "Declaration of Conformity" has to be provided by the shipper, the manufacturer or his assigned representative in the EU or the importer.

Declaration of Conformity
The Declaration of Conformity (DoC) is a document in which the manufacturer, or his authorized representative within the EU, indicates that the product meets all the necessary requirements of the directives applicable for the specific product. The DoC shall contain the name and the address of the manufacturer along with information about the product (for example, brand and serial number). The DoC must be signed by an individual working for the manufacturer or his authorized representative.

On request the manufacturer or his authorized representative within the EU must provide the DoC. In case the manufacturer is not an EU entity and has no authorized representative, the importer must be able to provide a copy of the DoC and additional proofs if requested.

National Requirements
For some commodities the conformity with the product safety regulations must be declared by the importer within the customs declaration. The DoC is required as a valid proof for the safety of the products and their compliance with the directives.

These commodities are:

• toys
• shoes
• underwear
• clothes
• any specific electronical components
• some tariff codes for furniture.

Customs inspector can do exceptions for individuals.

Spot checks are carried out. If no CE marking is found, shipments are either RTS'd. or abandoned.

Customs procedure time is 1-3 weeks. Random spot checks are carried out.If no CE marking is found and no declaration of conformity can be presented to customs,the goods must be RTSd or abandoned.Customs procedure time is 2 weeks.

No Information found on this topic for the selected country or territory.

Automatic RTS Procedures

Customs Declarations in Spain must be made within 20 days after the shipment arrival. In order to not exceed the time-limit, UPS reserves the right to return uncleared shipments automatically if and when a shipper fails to advise/instruct within the appointed time (first 17 days after shipment arrival) through the ERN.

Canary Islands

UPS Worldwide Express service (both import and export) is the only service offered for Canary Islands. Billing options available to Canary Islands are:

Prepaid (P/P)

Freight Collect (F/C)

Free Domicile (F/D) (when the shipper has arranged authorization on a UPS account with Spain-see Operational Information for more details)

Cost and Freight (C&F)

All consignees in the Canary Islands must be registered tax payers with local authorities.

Invoices for all non document shipments are mandatory.

For shipments to Canary Islands,when the value is up to 22 Euros or 10 kgs (including documents), the shipment must be cleared as dutiable with import duty and VAT charges.

Ceuta and Melilla

Shipments from countries or territories of the European Union to Ceuta and Melilla are considered to be export shipments because Ceuta and Melilla do not belong to the customs territory of the European Union. They require a formal Export-Declaration in order to clear customs if the value exceeds the national threshold for providing formal export declarations.

Customs Clearance Process

Upon shipments arrival, the consignee is contacted to get his import VAT ID number and to clarify any open issues. The VAT ID number is mandatory for customs clearance in Spain. Non-resident importers in Spain must provide a legible copy of their passport to customs as a replacement for the missing (Spanish) VAT ID number.

Spanish Customs Declarations must be made within 20 days after the shipment arrives in Spain. UPS automatically returns the shipment at the shipper's expense if the declaration is not made by the deadline.

Duty and Taxes

Please note that not only the value(s) of the commodity/commodities have to be considered when calculating duty and tax, but also the freight charge and other fees.

Imports to Foreign Nationals

Shipments that will be sent to non-resident persons who stay in a hotel, etc. should be accompanied by an invoice that lists the consignee's phone or mobile number and a copy of their passport, showing the passport number and nationality.

Payment by Credit Card

Credit card payments are accepted upon delivery for freight but not for import charges. Contact UPS or the UPS service partner in the destination country or territory to determine which credit cards are accepted.

Restrictions may apply for freight collect shipments from the origin country or territory. Contact UPS or the UPS service partner in the origin country or territory prior to shipping.

Post Office Boxes

UPS cannot deliver to a P.O. Box address. All packages require a consignee's contact name and complete street address including apartment, suite or unit number if applicable. The consignee's telephone number should be provided if known.

Service is provided to and from certain cities.

Pick ups and deliveries for Formentera are carried out on Thursdays.

Two additional days are required to normal transit times for the cities of Ceuta and Melilla. They are not part of the European Union Customs Territory.

Canary Islands export service is restricted to contractual set up. Only Express Saver service is available to Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla. No pickup service in Ceuta and Melilla.

UPS cannot deliver to a P.O. Box address. All packages require a consignee's contact name and complete street address including apartment, suite or unit number if applicable. The consignee's telephone number should be provided if known.

Rest Days:

Saturday, Sunday, and official holidays.

GMT:

Spring +0200/ Fall +0100

Language:

Spanish

Currency:

European Monetary Unit (Euro)(EUR)

Shipping Charges

• Shipping charges can be billed to the shipper, receiver or a third party.
• When billing the receiver, either the shipper or receiver's account number is required.
• When billing to a third party, the third party's name, country or territory and account number are required.

Duties and Taxes

• Duties and taxes can be billed to the shipper, receiver or a third party.
• When billing a third party, the third party's name, country or territory and account number are required.
• If the duties and taxes are billed to an account outside of the destination country or territory, a "Duty and Tax Forwarding" surcharge will be applied.

Third-Party Billing

• Please note the following third party billing exceptions:
  • Shipments to and from the same country or territory (domestic shipments) cannot be billed to third party payors in other countries or territories. For example, shipments from Mexico to Mexico or Canada to Canada cannot be billed to a third party payor in the U.S. This rule does not apply to UPS domestic services in European Union countries or territories. For example, shipments from Germany to Germany can be billed to a third party payor in the U.S. (as long as the payor is a business and has a VAT or Tax/EIN ID on file with UPS).

Payment Methods

• When paying by credit card, check, or cash, only the shipper can be billed the shipping charges

Canary Islands

UPS Worldwide Express Saver (both import and export) is the only service offered for Canary Islands.

Billing options available to Canary Islands are:

• Prepaid (P/P)
• Freight Collect (F/C)
• Free Domicile (F/D) (when the shipper has arranged authorization on a UPS account with Spain-see Operational Information for more details)
• Cost and Freight (C&F)

Split Duty And VAT (SDV)

• The freight and duties can be billed to the shipper or a third party
• The taxes can be billed to the receiver or a third party
• A surcharge will be applied for the SDV billing option

There are special stipulations on the following commodities when shipping to Spain. If you plan to ship one of the commodities listed below, be sure to adhere to the following stipulations in order to avoid delays and holds at customs.

Animal Products

Products Of Animal Origin are goods which contain at least partly material derived from the body of an animal. These products can be divided in food or non-food.

Food means any substance, whether processed, semi-processed or raw, which is intended for human consumption, but does not include cosmetics or substances used only as pharmaceuticals.

Non-Food (not intended for human consumption) includes animal by-products, animal feed, samples for testing or research purposes (food-grade or non-food grade), and in vitro diagnostics (IVD).

Animal products and animal by-products are often subject to a veterinary inspection. These products can only be accepted under a special contract for International Special Commodities (ISC). In addition those products must undergo veterinary checks at an approved Veterinary Border Inspection Post (BIP) when entering the EU & EFTA countries or territories (EU regulations are aligned for EU countries or territories and NO; IS; CH; LI).

For UPS shipments arriving in the EU by air, Cologne is the first point of arrival /BIP. Inspections will be processed at Cologne but final customs clearance process will be issued in the destination country or territory.

Additional charges for Vet-inspection will be applicable see Brokerage Services and Charges.

Import requirements:

Generally, each type of Product of Animal Origin has specific import requirements that must be met. Food which is subject to veterinary inspections must:

Come from an EU listed Third Country or Territory (no safeguard measures in place)

Come from an EU approved establishment . Registered producers are listed under the following link: http://ec.europa.eu/food/international/trade/third_en.htm

Be accompanied by appropriate Health Certificate(s), signed by a veterinarian of the competent authority of country or territory of export. Photocopies of the Health Certificate will not be accepted.

Be appropriately packaged and labelled, indicating the nature, ingredients, quantity/ weight, the country or territory of origin and manufacturer.

Any foodstuff coming from non-approved establishments, sent as samples for testing purposes, can only be imported with a permit/license from a respective national veterinary authority. The permit/license must be send to the border inspection point responsible for the veterinary inspection. Delays may occur as the license needs to be provided already at the time of inspection.

Any non-compliant shipment must be returned at shippers expense immediately. The following exemptions apply to non-commercial shipments / gift shipments or purchased by private individuals for private consumption):

Meat, meat products, animal fat - max. 10 kg from Faroe Island and Greenland.

Fish and fish products (with intestines and organs removed) - max. 20 kg from all third countries or territories; no limitation from Faroe Islands.

Other animal products (for example, honey, egg, frog, live mussels - max. 10 kg from Faroe Islands and Greenland, and max. 2 kg from all other third countries or territories).

Dairy

Please see Animal Products and Food Supplements.

Dietary Supplements

Please see "Food Supplements".

Fish and Fish Products

Please see "Animal Products".

Food

All food items shipped to Spain require a Sanitary inspection previous to customs clearance. Sanitary inspection requests the following documents:

• Registration number of the importer at the Ministry of Health
• Registration number of the importers warehouse facilities at the Ministry of Health
• Certificate of analysis (with lot numbers and other identification mark) provided by the producer
• Original letter from importer stating the intended use of the product

Individuals cannot import food products. These shipments will be refused entry and abandoned, destroyed or returned to the country or territory of export. Refused shipments may be subject to return charge.

Based on the EU regulation 2009/669/EC certain foodstuffs (for example tea with origin China) imported from certain third countries or territories are subject to increased level of official controls due to contamination risks of these products by aflatoxinson and pathogens. These controls are carried out at Designated Point of Entries (DPE) defined by each member state.

The import of feed and food originating in or consigned from Japan following the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power station and not subject to vet inspection can only be imported into the EU through Designated Point of Entries (DPE). They must be accompanied by a declaration attesting that the goods are either harvested or processed before March 11, 2011, originated from a prefecture other than the ones affected by higher levels of radiation or if originated from an affected prefecture have been subjected to laboratory analysis determining the level of certain radionuclides (regulation 2011/297/EC).

The customs office responsible for our import sites are not defined as DPE. Commodities subject to import controls at a DPE can't be imported with UPS.

Food Supplements

Customs classifies certain food supplements as medicine, especially vitamins and other products with physiological effects. Food supplements classified as medicine can not be imported without an import license.

Only authorized importers are allowed to import medicine. The importer has to provide an import permit issued by the Ministry of Health. The medicine must be registered in Spain, otherwise the importation will not be allowed. If the importer cannot provide an import license, then the goods will be returned to the shipper.

Private individuals cannot import medicine unless they can provide a medical prescription from a doctor and a special authorization from the Ministry of Health issued for the respective shipment. The documents are required prior to importation . If the private consignee cannot provide a prescription, the goods will be returned to the shipper.

A sanitary inspection may apply causing an import delay. Brokerage accessorial charges may apply.

Honey

The European Union (EU) has placed an import ban on Honey from certain countries or territories.

Before shipping Honey to a European Union country or territory, it is highly recommended to contact your local chamber of commerce or your importer for detailed information.

If the importation is allowed by the European Union, the shipment must be accompanied by an original health certificate provided by the shipper/producer, otherwise, importation will not be possible. Furthermore, a vet inspection at the first point of arrival into the EU is required, even for sample shipments.

Brokerage accessorial charges will apply and an import delay may occur.

If the shipper fails to verify the import regulation of the destination country or territory and sends honey which is prohibited by the European Union, then all charges that may apply for the respective shipment will be billed back to the shipper.

Intercompany Data on CD-Rom/Disk

Data shipments to Spain require an invoice with the value of the CD-ROM or disk only.

Meat

Please see animal products.

Medical Instruments

Medical devices (for example, used for dental or medical treatment) regardless of the value, require the following:

• Registration number of the importer's warehouse facilities at the Ministry of Health-Sanitary Department
• Declaration of Conformity provided by the shipper
• EC Certificate of Conformity provided by the shipper
• Original letter from importer stating the intended use of the product

A Health or Pharmacy Inspection may apply. Accessorial charges may apply.

Medicine

Only authorized companies, such as pharmaceutical companies, laboratories, etc., can import medicine and an Import License is required from the Spanish Ministry of Health. The medicine must be registered in Spain, otherwise importation is not allowed. For each import clearance of medicine shipments, Customs requires a single import authorization.

Special regulations exist for human and animal derived products.The importer must obtain a special kind of import permit from the Ministry of Health in Spain.

Private individuals cannot import medicine, unless they can provide a medical prescription from a doctor and a special authorization from the Ministry of Health issued for the respective shipment. The documents are required prior to importation. If the private consignee cannot provide a prescription, the goods will be returned to the shipper.

A sanitary inspection may apply and could cause an import delay. Brokerage accessorial charges may apply.

Nutritional Supplements

Please see food supplements.

Parts

The invoice must include a description of the part, the type of machine for which the part will be used, and a list of the part's components.

Samples

In order to clear sample shipments duty & tax free, the total invoice value may not exceed 22.00 Euro and the total weight of the shipment may not exceed 9 kg.

It is always the decision of customs to allow the entry as a sample shipment, duty and tax free. The invoice must include a description of the sample.

Shoes

In order to avoid wrong customs declarations at import, it is mandatory that the exporter provide very detailed information about the shoes (for example, what kind of leather, what material used for soles and uppers, what kind of shoes (sport shoes, sandals, boots), who is to wear the shoes (children, women, men).

Test Reagent

Most of modern test reagents for diagnostic research are built on antibodies which are generated from animal tissue. There are two types of antibodies, the monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal antibodies.

Monoclonal antibodies are generated in vitro. Tissue from animals are taken (e.g. blood) and infected with certain substances or pathogens. The blood cells react with the production of antibodies which are than harvested and used for the production of the test kits. Due to the in vitro production and the controlled way of production those types of test kits are not subject to veterinarian control if it is a commercial production.

Polyclonal antibodies are gained from living animals like rabbits. They are infected with the substances / pathogens and the animals are producing antibodies. The antibodies are harvested from the blood stream of the animals. Test reagents with polyclonal antibodies are subject to vet inspections.

Shipment documents (commercial invoice or declaration on letterhead) should include:

the place of origin of the material

the quantity of the material, in weight or volume

a description of the material/ animal source

catalogue number and price (if available)

additives (e.g., sodium azide, glycerol), their source (e.g., whole serum, supernatant, ascites), and purification, if any.

protocols the recommended protocol or datasheet indicating any unique fixation, detergent, blocking, or incubation conditions.

the intended use (commercial/ manufacturing; research/ testing)

the name and address of the shipper

the name and address of the receiver

Commercially packaged, ready-to-use In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) containing products of animal of origin, do not require a Vet-inspection, if compliant with Directive 98/79/EC on In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices. A declaration of conformity (CE-marking) must be provided for each individual commodity (e.g. reagents, test kits, immunosorbent assays such as ELISA kits.

Textiles

A certificate of origin is not required for the import clearance of textiles. The need of a certificate of origin for the import clearance was reversed on October 24, 2011.

The country or territory of origin must be stated on the invoice for each invoice line. If the customs authorities doubt the correctness of the declared country or territory of origin they may request an additional proof which might be a certificate of origin.

Customs may require an import license for certain products from certain countries or territories, depending on the harmonized tariff code. The importer must obtain the import license. An original export license from the exporter of the country or territory of origin might be necessary to obtain the import license. The requirement of an import license is dependent on the country or territory of origin of the goods, not the country or territory of export. For further detailed information it is highly recommended to contact your chamber of commerce.

If the import license cannot be provided by the importer, the textiles must be returned or abandoned. It is always the decision of customs to allow the entry as a sample shipment, duty and tax free. The invoice must include a description of the sample.

USB Sticks

Data shipments require an invoice with the character of the USB stick (storing intercompany data) and the value of the USB Stick.

Veterinary Products

All veterinary products, such as surgical and hospital instruments or dental instruments do not require any additional documentation provided by the shipper. The importer has to provide a letter that confirms the intended use of the goods.

Vitamins

Please see food supplements.

Shipment value amount:

45.00 European Monetary Unit (Euro) EUR

Shipment type:

individual-to-individual

Exemption rule:

per person

Invoice

Non-document shipments to Spain must include 1 original and 2 copies of an invoice.

Where Incoterms applied, this should include the city shipped to, for example DDP Madrid where shipped Free Domicile. This will help to avoid clearance delays.

Shipments of documents do not require an invoice.

The consignee's telephone number is required on the invoice for shipments to private individuals with a value above 22.00 EUR. The consignee's mobile number and e-mail address should also appear on the invoice if available. If the shipper knows the VAT ID number of the importer, it is highly recommended to list it on the invoice in order to support import clearance. The VAT ID number is mandatory for customs clearance in Spain.

Shipments that will be sent to non-resident persons who stay for example in a hotel should be accompanied by an invoice that lists the consignee's mobile phone number and his/her passport number and nationality.

UPS will contact the importer because he/she has to provide a legible copy of his/her passport to customs. UPS recommends that you specify the number of units in the shipment and the unit price on the invoice.

Unacceptable Data Entries

Europe customs authorities have started to inspect shipments on Import Control System (I.C.S.).

Many of the inspected shipments were obviously selected because of the inadequate description of the goods.

This is a reminder that shipments to all European Union member states, Norway and Switzerland, must have a correctly keyed description of the goods on the invoice (for example):

Unacceptable	Acceptable
Apparel	Men's Shirts, Lingerie, Girls' Vests, Boys', Jackets
Auto Parts	Automobile Brakes, Windshield Glass for Automobiles
Electronics	Computers, televisions, CD Players, Walkmans, Tape Recorders, Mobile phones, Monitors, Printers
Gifts	Dolls, Remote Control Cars Household goods Plates, Dishes, Tableware

A list has been published in the 'Guidelines on acceptable and unacceptable terms for the description of goods for exit and entry summary declarations':

http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/resources/documents/customs/policy_issues/customs_security/
acceptable_goods_description_guidelines_en.pdf

Paperless Invoice - Exports

UPS Paperless Invoice is available for small package exports from this country or territory.

Paperless Invoice - Imports

UPS Paperless Invoice is accepted by Customs for small package imports into this country or territory.

The destination country or territory classifies the following items as document shipments. The items must have no commercial value. If criteria are listed, the shipment must meet the criteria to classify as a document shipment.

To prove the document character of a shipment, an invoice is required for shipments above 3 kg. If there is no invoice attached to the shipment the importer has to provide a statement that confirms the document character.

For shipments to Ceuta and Melilla- Only letters are accepted without invoices. For the rest of shipments and for all weights invoice is required.

For shipments to Canary islands - document limit is 10 kg. Less than 10 kg, no invoice is required.

Airline Tickets

Validated airline tickets only

Annual Reports

Must be for shareholders or for intercompany use only.

Bids

Blueprints

Must be for intercompany use or a bid invitation (such as architectural plans to obtain a contract inside the European Union) and have no commercial value.

Brochures

Must be non-commercial brochures or for intercompany use only.

Business Cards

Document limit: up to 15 business cards

Checks

Must be personalized checks

Credit Cards

Personalized credit cards

Diplomas

Drivers License

Event Tickets

Tickets for events like stage performances, football matches or concerts can be sent as documents up to a limit of 10 kgs per shipment.

Event tickets coming from a printing company and send to the organizer of the event or ticket sales offices can not be sent as documents.

Examination Papers

Document Limit-10 Kgs

Gift Cards

Greeting Cards, Invitations

Must be personalized to be considered documents.
Non-personalized greeting cards and invitations are considered non-documents and require an invoice.

Manuals (Technical)

The number of manuals must be appropriate for the purpose

Negatives

Must be negatives, slides, or printing films being sent to press or publishing agencies.
If the value includes press or editorial charges, the items are considered non-documents and require an invoice.

Newsletters (Company)

Document: intercompany shipments for intercompany use with no commercial value
Non-document: shipments from a publisher or printing company

Newspapers

Must be for non-commercial purposes

Stationery

Must be personalized stationery and have no commercial value. The amount (number of pieces) must be appropriate for non-commercial use.

Traveler's Checks

Must be personalized to be considered documents.

Visa Applications

UPS can recommend which forms you need based on a few simple criteria. Forms can be completed online or printed. See which forms you need.

In addition to the prohibited commodities listed here, it is prohibited to ship the following commodities to Spain.

Alcoholic Beverages

Imports of alcoholic beverages are highly restricted. A sanitary inspection must be done prior to Customs clearance. A sanitary inspection will require:

• Certificate of analysis provided by the shipper
• Import License from the Department General of Exterior Commerce in Madrid
• Importer registration at the Ministry of Health in Spain
• Wine shipments require a certificatestates where the wine was produced

Brokerage charges may apply and import delays may occur. Private persons are not allowed to import shipments of alcohol. Gift shipments (from private to private) may not contain alcohol.

Cosmetics

Cosmetic products can only be imported by companies that have an import license from the Spanish Ministry of Health. The shipper must provide a Certification of Analysis. Only Essential oils are permitted for import.

Imports of cosmetic products to the Canary Islands are prohibited in any case. No exceptions will be made by the customs authorities. Shipments of cosmetics to individuals are prohibited. These shipments will be refused entry and returned to the country or territory of export. Refused shipments may be subject to a return charge.

CITES Shipments

Endangered plants and animals protected by the multilateral treaty of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), must be accompanied by a valid CITES Certificate.

All import, export, re-export and introduction from the sea of species covered by the Convention has to be authorized through a licensing system.

Shipper needs to provide the following documentation:

Invoice with the scientific name and CITES certificate.

Additional charges will be applicable. Products of animals or plants subject to CITES can only be accepted under a special contract for International Special Commodities (ISC).

Jewelry

The importation of precious jewelry is highly restricted.

Destination Brokerage has to prepare special import documentation for precious jewelry and has to seal the packages before delivery. Importers must be aware that they have to send the sealed packages to the Laboratorio Contraste for quality certification. It is solely the importer's responsibility to send the goods to the laboratory, otherwise, customs will penalize the importer. Brokerage must contact the importer prior to customs clearance in order to obtain a power of attorney and get information about the responsible laboratory.

Brokerage accessorial charges may apply for document preparation. Please be informed that there is no Laboratorio Contraste in Canary Islands.

Personal Effects

Customers must use an authorized UPS / MBE (Mail Boxes Etc) Store, UPS Customer Center or an ISC approved shipper to ship personal effects. The UPS Store, Mail Boxes Etc., UPS Customer Center and ISC approved shipper will be required to identify personal effect shipments on the shipping label by placing "ISC-Personal Effects" in the Reference Field of a UPS "smart" label or in the Special Instructions Field of a UPS waybill. They must also clearly indicate 'Personal Effects' shipment on the Commercial Invoice.

Personal Effects are classified as used items (owned for a minimum of 6 months) intended for the consignee's personal use. Any items intended for any other use, such as wholesale or retail sales, business purposes, or for distribution are not considered personal effects and cannot be shipped on this basis. "Personal Effects" must be clearly stated on the invoice and goods description.

Additional documents are required as proof of travel, for example: flight itinerary, school acceptance letter, business relocation letter, etc. Furthermore, a copy of the passport, resident card or identification card must always be presented to Spanish customs. In order to avoid import delays it would be very helpful if the documents accompany the personal effects.

Medicine and food items are prohibited.

Duties and taxes may be assessed.

Personal effects may experience delays in time in transit.

Prohibited articles listed in the UPS service guide cannot be accepted as personal effects.

Plants

According to Spanish customs legislation, living plants, parts of plants, fruits, vegetables and seeds are considered to be plants. There are prohibitions and restrictions on the importation of certain plants.

A Phytosanitary Certificate must accompany all shipments of plants.

These kinds of goods require a Phytosanitary inspection. UPS is not able to clear living plants through customs. The importer has to choose an alternate broker for the customs clearance and the Phytosanitary inspection.

Plants mentioned in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) must be accompanied by a valid CITES Certificate.

Due to the Phytosanitary inspection an import delay may occur.

Brokerage accessorial charges may apply.

Plastic Kitchenware

The European Union (EU) has implemented specific conditions and detailed procedures for the import of plastic kitchenware (HS-Code 3924 1000 11) made of polyamide and melamine and originated in or consigned from China or Hong Kong (regulation 284/2011). Tableware (for example, plates, flatware, cups) are excluded from the restrictions. The reason for the new regulation were notifications and alerts by the European 'Rapid Alert System'- kitchen tableware was recognized which exceed the thresholds of aromatic amines and formaldehyde released into food.

Based on the regulation, controls must be performed at the point of introduction into the EU by the competent authorities. They include documentary checks on all consignments and identity or physical checks (including laboratory checks) on 10% of the consignments. All consignments of kitchen tableware (HS code 3924 1000) originated or consigned from China or Hong Kong must be accompanied by a declaration confirming that it meets the requirements concerning the release of primary aromatic amines and formaldehyde. The declaration shall be accompanied by a laboratory report that the consignments fulfill the requirements.

The goods and declaration must be examined at the first point of introduction into the EU.

The consignments shall be notified at the first point of introduction at least two working days in advance.

Our main points of entry (Cologne, Germany and East Midlands, United Kingdom) are not competent to perform the checks and forwarding under bond is prohibited without the checks. Products covered by the new regulation and destined to the EU can't be accepted by UPS. Exporters should clearly state on the invoice the material and the country or territory of origin of plastic kitchenware to avoid holds on commodities not subject to the regulation.

Seeds

Please see "Plants".

Tobacco Products

Only companies are allowed to import tobacco products. The importer must provide an import license issued by the Directorate General of Exterior Commerce in Madrid. Tobacco is subject to high excise tax. A sanitary inspection will be required, therefore an import delay may occur. Brokerage accessorial charges may apply.

Private importers are not allowed to import tobacco products, even as a gift. It is recommended to contact the local chamber of commerce before shipping.

Saturday Delivery Available: Yes

Not available in all areas. Always check the international time in transit system for details of service availability within a country or territory.

Always check Calculate Time and Cost for details of service availability and guarantee information within a country or territory. All Service Levels may not be available to or from every address within a country or territory.

Canada to Spain

• UPS Express

• UPS Worldwide Expedited

• UPS Worldwide Express Plus

• UPS Worldwide Express Saver

• UPS WorldWide Express Freight

Embassy or Diplomatic

A special Customs clearance form from the Embassy is required. The invoice should state "diplomatic goods". No duty and taxes are applied to these shipments. Import delays may occur.

Other Shipment Types

Solid Wood Packing Material

A temporary emergency measure has been adopted by the European Commission. Certain coniferous solid wood packing materials are subjected to any of three specified treatments before it may import to the European Union, to prevent the introduction of pine wood nematode.

Packing cases, boxes, crates, drums & similar items, pallets, pallet collars, box pallets & other load boards whether or not used in the transport of objects are affected by this measure.

Wood packaging must be subject to one of the following treatments:

• Heat treated or kiln dried to a minimum core temperature of 56 degrees Celsius for at least 30 minutes in a closed chamber or kiln that has been tested, evaluated & officially approved for this purpose.
• Chemical pressure impregnation with an approved chemical in accordance with an official recognized technical specification.
• Fumigated with an approved chemical in accordance with an official recognized technical specification.

Packaging must display markings indicating where & by whom it was treated.

Certificates or forms of any kind are not required. Marking of the solid wood packing material is the only recognized compliance method for emergency measures.

Additional information & inspection companies contact numbers:

• CA: www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/for/woode.shtml or Canadian Food Inspection Agency 1-800-442-2342 or 613-225-2342
• CN: www.aqsiq.gov.cn or contact the State General Administration of the People's Republic of China for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine
• JP: www.pps.go.jp/english/eindex03.htm or Plant Protection Div. of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries 03-3502-8111 ext. 3832
• US: www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/swp/eunmwp.html or USDA APHIS Export Services 301-734-4382

Repaired Goods

Customs requires the original export declaration and a copy of the export invoice from the original shipper. The import invoice must declare the value of the commodity before the repair and the value of the repair. The import invoice should state "returned after repair." Duties and taxes may apply. For warranty repairs no duty and tax will apply. An import delay may occur. Brokerage charges may apply.

Returned Goods

Customs requires the original export declaration and a copy of the export invoice from the original shipper. The invoice must include the country or territory of origin and the reason for the return. The invoice should state "returned goods." No duty or taxes are applied to these shipments. An import delay may occur. Brokerage charges may apply.

Solid Wood Packing Material

New requirements have been implemented for both small package and WWEF shipments and are based on the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 15, which is entitled "Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade". ISPM 15 was adopted internationally in 2002, and is gradually being introduced by countries or territories worldwide. Wood or wood products covered by ISPM 15 include items such as packing cases, boxes, crates, drums or similar packing, pallets, box pallets and other load boards, pallet collars and skids, but exclude such processed woods as orientated strand board, particle board, plywood or veneer, created using glue, heat and pressure or a combinations thereof, and, raw wood which is 6mm or less thick. It is recommended that if a question arises on this issue, please check with the authority that issues the Phytosanitary certificates in your country or territory.

Temporary Import

Goods cleared under the customs procedure of temporary importation must remain in the same state. Goods imported with the customs procedure of temporary importation are subject to the provision of security with limited exemptions. The security covers duty and taxes and will be calculated on the base of the declaration for free circulation. The security has to be paid by the importer prior to arrival. The security will be paid back to the importer with re-exporting of the goods under customs control.

UPS does not provide the service of a temporary importation customs procedure if a security has to be provided. The consignee has to name an alternate broker for the customs procedure of temporary importation. The goods can be declared for free circulation by UPS.

Duty and VAT will apply and charged to the importer.

WEEE and RoHS

The European Union implemented a directive restricting the use of certain hazardous substances in all Electronic & Electrical Equipment effective July 1, 2006. This directive is called the RoHS Directive (2005/618/EC), which stands for the Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment.

The RoHS directive is closely linked with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) 2002/96/EC which sets collection, recycling and recovery targets for electrical goods.

These directives will ban the placing on the EU market of new electrical and electronic equipment containing more than agreed levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) (PBB and PBDE are flame retardants used in some plastics).

Manufacturers (and distributors and individual sellers) will need to understand the requirements of the RoHS/WEEE Directives to ensure that their products, and their components, comply. Goods falling under these categories do not require any accompanying documentation for importation.

For more information on the EU directives, please check the following European Union web link or contact your local chamber of commerce: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/pdf/faq_weee.pdf

Import value limits to Spain

Deminimis Value

Private Shipments

The limit whereby VAT will not be charged remains at 22.00 European Monetary Unit (Euro). Shipments with a value above 22.00 EUR need to be customs cleared as a formal entry.

Duty - In most cases, when the value of the shipment is equal to or less than the Deminimis Value, the shipment may enter the country or territory duty free, but tax is raised.

This regulation does not apply to alcoholic beverages, tobacco and perfume.

The limit whereby VAT will not be charged remains at 22.00 European Monetary Unit (Euro). Shipments with a value above 22.00 EUR need to be customs cleared as a formal entry.

Duty - In most cases, when the value of the shipment is equal to or less than the Deminimis Value, the shipment may enter the country or territory duty free, but tax is raised.

This regulation does not apply to alcoholic beverages, tobacco and perfume.

Maximum weight:

70 kg (150 lbs.) per package

Maximum length:

274.00 cm (107.9 in.)  per package

Maximum dimensions:

419 cm (165 in. ) per package

Length and girth combined

Convert metric quantity for weight, length, and area.