International trade compliance

International Conventions

Member of the World Trade Organization (WTO)
Member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Party to the Kyoto Protocol
Party to the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Party to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal
Party to the International Coffee Agreement

International Economic Cooperation

Spain is a member of the following international economic organisations: IMF, European Union, ICC, Central American Integration System (SICA) (observer), WTO, Latin American Integration Association (LAIA) (observer), OECD, European Economic Area, among others. For the full list of economic and other international organisations in which participates Spain click here. International organisation membership of Spain is also outlined here.

Party of the ATA Convention on Temporary Admissions and Use of the Carnets

Yes

As a Reminder, the ATA is a System Allowing the Free Movement of Goods Across Frontiers and Their Temporary Admission Into a Customs Territory With Relief From Duties and Taxes. The Goods Are Covered By a Single Document Known as the ATA Carnet That is Secured By an International Guarantee System.

Party of the TIR Convention

Yes

As a Reminder, the TIR Convention and its Transit Regime Contribute to the Facilitation of International Transport, Especially International Road Transport, Not Only in Europe and the Middle East, But Also in Other Parts of the World, Such as Africa and Latin America.

Accompanying Documents For Imports

The goods movement within the community area is exempted from customs duty and customs formalities.

Documents required for an intercommunity delivery:
- Sales invoice (two copies)
- Delivery note (optional document)
- Sanitary and phytosanitary certificate (for living animals)
- Unique Data Folder, UDF (for exchanges with the Overseas Departments, Channel Islands and Canary Islands).

Additional documents for an extra-community transaction:
- Import licenses
- Approvals
- Single Administrative Document (SAD)
- Health certificate

To go further, check out our service Shipping Documents.

Free-trade zones

Spain counts seven free-zone ports, located in Vigo, Cadiz, Barcelona, Santander, Seville, Tenerife, and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria – all of which fall under the EU Customs Union, permitting the free circulation of goods within the EU. The entire province of the Canary Islands is a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), offering fiscal benefits that include a reduced corporate tax rate, a reduced VAT rate, and exemptions for transfer taxes and stamp duties.

For Further Information

Agencia Tributaria (Customs agency)
Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce

Non Tariff Barriers

Spain applies the community regulations valid in the entire European Union.
There are a certain number of restrictions for agricultural products ensuing from the application of CAP (Common Agricultural Policy).
Besides, for health reasons, the presence of GMO must be systematically specified on the packages.
It is forbidden to import hormone-fed beef.
The BSE crisis (the "mad cow's" disease) prompted the authorities to strengthen phytosanitary measures to ensure the quality of meat entering and moving on the territory of the Union. The principle of precaution is henceforth preferred to a greater extent: in case of doubt, the import is forbidden until proof of harmlessness of the products is established.

Sectors or Products For Which Commercial Disagreements Have Been Registered With the WTO

Assessment of Commercial Policy

The pages of WTO dedicated to Spain
Barriers to exchanges, inventoried by the United States