What You Need to Know About Exports and Temporary Exports
Exports and temporary exports might sound similar, but according to customs they are not the same and require different procedures.
Exports and temporary exports might sound similar, but according to customs they are not the same and require different procedures.
As you know, the term export refers to any good which is sent from Spain to a country out of the European Union. To export anything from Spain, it is mandatory for the exporting company to be registered in Spain, or in case of an individual, to be a Spanish resident.
To carry out an exports procedure correctly you need to follow specific instructions.
Every shipment has to be accompanied by a commercial invoice. It is essential to issue an itemized list of contents, detailing their quantity, description, value, and HS code.
In case of any doubt regarding this formality, Evolution can help you with the procedure by completing the commercial invoice on your behalf. Remember that this information has to be completely accurate, with no guesswork or margin of error as the exporter is legally responsible for everything declared.
Any kind of personal items from the crew can be exported back home, wherever that may be, such as suitcases or boxes full of clothes, shoes, books and electronic devices. Remember to remove any batteries from electronic devices, as anything containing lithium must be handled and delivered in a special way.
What about any other products that can't be exported?
As with the lithium batteries, there are other restrictions.
Aerosol sprays, creams, perfumes, and toiletries in general, as well as chocolates, food, and alcohol must not be included in the export package under any circumstance, as these goods require a
special license due to health and safety regulations. If you’re wondering what would happen if these instructions aren’t followed, in our experience, the best case scenario is that
shipment is returned to sender, but in the worst case, the shipment
could be destroyed
and depending on the content
could also incur a fine.
What is a temporary export?
The clue is in the name… it’s an export that goes abroad for a limited time. It refers to goods that are temporarily sent outside the European Union for different reasons:
- Repairing or checking their condition
- Temporary exhibits at international fairs (for example an artwork)
- Commercial samples for demonstration purposes
- Professional equipment
In all these cases,
goods must return to the country of origin.
In the case of sending items to be repaired, the commercial invoice needs to include specific details, including:
- Description, brand, model, and serial number of the good
- Real market value of the item
- Indication if the repair is under warranty or not
Once the good has been repaired, it must be re-imported to the country of origin. Taxes may apply depending on whether the item was successfully repaired or under warranty. In the latter case, it may have been replaced by the same model, or a higher value model. The supplier must indicate the correct status of the exported goods.
At Evolution, we have many years of experience in helping our clients make the best choices. Our in-house customs broker is at your service to offer leading-edge advice for your imports and exports. Don’t hesitate to contact us at customs@evolutionagents.com for a personalized consultation and any assistance.
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