In the following article we will develop the theme of requirements to import to Spain, the necessary procedures that must be done, the regulations that you must comply with and some more tips to do it correctly. Are you interested? Let's start.
Find out what the requirements are to be able to import to Spain.
Requirements to Import to Spain Correctly
If you want to import to Spain but you don't know where to start? What are the procedures and requirements? or what are the restrictions? Well, you've come to the right place, since below we'll explain everything you need to do and know to achieve it. We will solve all your unknowns!, she continues reading.
Spain, an importing country
Imports in Spain, according to statistics, represent 26% of GDP, a considerable amount that places it in 50th place in the ranking that measures the volume of imports with respect to the country's GDP. This leaves, without a doubt, that it is more profitable for Spanish companies to import their products. Making use of imports can be beneficial for your company, but before that, you must know the necessary procedures and requirements to know if you have everything in order to start importing.
Within the European Union, most of Spain's imports come from the following countries: Germany, France and Italy. Outside the EU, these imports come from China, Morocco and Turkey. The main products that we import from the rest of the world are:
Oil, which represented some twenty-three billion dollars in 2018, had reached a record figure of 1364 barrels per day.
Other products, which turned Spain into one of the main importers of this, is steel; buying up to 11.000.000 metric tons. In addition to textiles, because the dynamism of the world of fashion has contributed to making garments and fabrics one of the most outstanding imported products in Spain. In fact, this country ranks sixth in this field.
Import license
The Import License in Spain will be mandatory since, although certain requirements have been relaxed, they must remain compliant with the standards required by the EU for this type of product. The health emergency due to COVID-19 has led to some cases where the Sanitary Products Import License is not necessary to import certain products. In today's world, this License is mandatory for medical devices.
China Export Seals are not CE Marking
Although they look very similar, these two symbols are different. A product with the said CE Marking represents safety and that it meets the standards required by the European Union on whether it has been manufactured in Europe or not. However, the China Export Seal represents that the product comes from a Chinese company and the latter does not guarantee that it complies with European safety regulations or that it has passed any control.
Products with CE Marking
If the products you want to import to Spain have CE Marking, you must verify if your technical credential, which are the technical manufacturing reports, the user manual and the European Certificate of Conformity, is up to date in accordance with current regulations. In the event of a change in the regulations, you as an importer will be required to update the technical documentation.
Products without CE Marking
If a product does not carry the CE Seal, this does not mean that it cannot be certified. For example, if you want to import an industrial product from Mexico to Spain, you can confirm if it can acquire the CE Marking in order to import and offer your product in Spanish territory. However, there are also products that do not need the CE Marking. In this case, it will be necessary to agree if, for example, the General Product Safety Directives apply.
The CE Marking technical documentation will be requested at Customs. The customs authorities will verify if your imported product has the CE Marking. If this is not the case, and your product needs it, your imported merchandise will be detained at Customs and will not cross the border, since it represents a threat to the health and safety of consumers.
In addition to this, the Ministry of Industry periodically programs controls in different businesses to confiscate imported products that do not have the CE Marking. The fines range from 300.000 euros and can even be penalized with jail in the event that a user is damaged by any of these products. In all respects, as the importer, you are legally responsible for the product.
This is the difference between the European Conformity Marking and the China Export Seal, you should not confuse them.
Import to Spain from within the European Union
The word import itself represents any process of acquiring goods and products that goes beyond our borders, but with the European Union entering the scene, the matter changes. Now that this common market designed with the intention of speeding up business exchanges between countries of the European Union comes into play, imports are no longer as such.
Today, the acquisitions of a company in Spain from another company residing, for example, in France or Germany, are now considered as an intra-community purchase of goods. This means that they lose their so-called import term.
Import to Spain from outside the European Union
So, once we leave the borders of the European Union, the word import takes on its meaning. This means that the following must be taken into account requirements to import to Spain:
CE certification
As we have already explained, if a product compulsorily needs to have the CE Certificate and it does not have it, its importation and passage through Customs will be denied. There are also some products that do not need this.
Commercial invoice
It is issued by the supplier, and it must indicate in a transparent manner the data referring to the importing company, its corresponding data as a supplier, the inventory of the merchandise to be imported, the price and the state of sale.
Packing list
The supplier must specify in a report regarding the shipment of merchandise the following: the number of packages that comprise it, the size and weight of each of these packages.
Bill of Lading (BL)
Essential document for the importing company, because it will be necessary for the sender to proceed with the delivery of the merchandise. It is essential to know how many BLs are specified because they are all necessary for the gender exchange to take place.
Certificate of origin
This certificate is used when, in the development of importing to Spain, we are including a merchandise of particular condition or coming from some state that offers some type de benefit. It will be mandatory to present an official document proving your origin to have this benefit.
Restrictions and special taxes for importation
The Tax Agency has some articles within a special condition, either because they are a threat to health, public safety or the environment.
Unless the necessary credential is presented, the entry of plants, seeds, vegetables, fruits, vegetables, flowers, meat, dairy products, medicines, health products, hygiene items, cosmetics and protected species of flora and fauna is prohibited.
However, there are also special taxes on wine, fermented beverages, beer, alcohol and the like; intermediate products, hydrocarbons, tobacco products, the registration of certain types of transport, coal and electricity.
If you liked this article, do not forget to visit our website, we also recommend one about What are tariffs? Know its correct function!, and we also leave you this video so you can delve a little deeper into today's topic. We wish you good luck!