Customs at Santander - Page 3

All they did was ask if I’d packed the car myself not what was in it, they looked under my bonnet and used a mirror to look under the car for security purposes and it was just a random check. It was all straight forward and no hassle, in Santander just a passport check and then I was on my way. Customs did random checks their but mainly vans and motorhomes.

Thanks . We are coming over in a van . So proberly need to declare I think but dont know how to. X

I would do what people have suggested do a list of what you have in the van, and if you get pulled it’s there for customs to have a look at, not all vans where being checked it was just random. I’m not sure if there is an official form that you need to obtain but if there is Brittany ferries don’t ask for it.

Good luck and have a safe journey.

We have come in several times now with a car full of household stuff and no one has even looked. I think as long as it looks like your own stuff they are not worried. 

I arrived in Santander ferry port in January 2024 with a transit sized van of used bits of furniture and personal items. We decided to take a van load of stuff in January before we make our permanent move in our car at the end of April.

The main reason for packing a van was because I wanted to take my vinyl records, cd's and hi-fi system with me and therefore we then filled the remaining space in the van by packing a load of what could be useful things to take (rather than disposing of them in the UK) things like some gardening equipment, used garden furniture, my used pressure washer, step ladders, used plastic storage unit, a couple of used guitars and various other used musical instruments, numerous books,  my 10 year old push bike, a unit for holding my hi-fi, etc. and numerous items  of clothing and footwear, some towels and bedding, a few bits of cooking utensils/ dishes etc. -nothing that could be sold for more than a few pounds but i still considered to be useful to me. Might as well make use of having the van and then I also get to keep some things that I like and it'd save me buying things when I got there.

I thought I only had to pay tax for new items or items less than 6 months old, in particular electrical products. I had nothing less than 6 months old except some clothes footwear and tennis rackets. We had none of the type of items which I thought qualified  to pay tax in in he van.

Every van in that came off the ferry was pulled over and the back of the van GLANCED a look inside, likewise for cars that seemed well loaded or had roof boxes on them.

We were sent to the customs office and told to fill out a form saying what was in our van.

I listed what I could remember, stating various vinyl records and cd's (there will be well over 1000 individual items) and then, as I was listing my belongings the customs officer took the form from me and using correction fluid changed the item quantity number telling me to write 50ish and i asked him about what to write for value of the belongings and he said "hmmm, the cost to replace". In truth much wouldn't be replaced so I 'under estimated' I wrote £1800. Again the customs officer changed the figure and said he suggested I write under €1499! I did this.

I went back to he van and waited. The paperwork was completed by he customs officer and I was asked to go back to the office to pay. I was charged €500!.... At no point did the van contents get PROPERLY checked. I thought after I filled out my form it would be properly searched hence I tried to be accurate about what was actually nin the van but it was not even glanced in again! They just took my word for what was in it!

I have since questioned my decision of how important my records, cd's and hi-fi unit actually are to me. The answer is that I DO want to have them and since they were possibly too heavy to go in my car, then either a removal company or van was my options and since the quotes i received from various removal companies worked out at much the same price as taking a van, that's why i opted to take the van.

I have since tried again to find out what actually needs to be declared at customs and why I was charged what seems a lot for a van if old, used, 2nd hand items but still all I can find is about electrical items and having receipts for items under 6 months old.

I am making my permanent move at the end of April 2024 and will be filling my estate car,  it will also have a roof box on it. Can anyone give me any advice about exactly how customs charge or what form to fill out in advance (this will save their extortionate admin fee €150) or any other helpful info?

Much appreciated,

DSki.

All items, whether used or not, are liable to customs duty. The only time they are exempt is if you are changing your address on a permanent basis, ie actually moving to Spain. The 6 months and 1 year old are only for items if you can show you are relocating to Spain. 

The good news is that you can claim reimbursement or tax free imports for up to 1 year after brining them in. You need to take out residency and go on the padron within that time to claim your money back. You can also apply for an exemption form for up to 6 months before arrival providing you can show that it is a permanent residence move.

All items must have been used in the country you are relocating from for a minimum of 6 months, anything newer will attract the full import and VAT duties. This is only if it is on a permanent change of residency though which your journey in January wasn't.

Thank you Marclif, that post is both informative and helpful.

When we return in April, we will have residency visas.

In January I gave my British address and N.I.F. number and stated that it was for the house that my N.I.F. is linked to. The customs officer actually filled out the Spanish address for us, so I must be 'in the system'.

Does this mean once I've settled in April I can claim back some of the €500 paid? If so, what/ who are the padron and how do I get an exemption form?

Can you give me any further info regarding this?

Thanks

Dski.

To get your residency in Spain you need to sign on list of residents living in the area or the "empadronamiento" or padron at your town hall. This puts you on the voting register and allows them to claim expenses from the regional government. You cannot be on the padron unless your home is Spain is the main one and you cannot get your residency without one. Town halls will issue the padron on a 3 month temporary basis to allow you to claim residency and will update your record to permanent once you have your residency. 

The Agencia Tributaria (the tax people) have a page with FAQs and replies which deal with most queries and how to obtain refunds or exemptions.

Have a look at their site which is here Agencia Tributaria 

Age in Spain also have an article on what is exempt and details other items Age in Spain which may be of some help.

Best of luck

Thank you VERY much.

I will look into it.your time, help and information is much appreciated.

Dx