To ship or not to ship – that is the question that torments many who relocate to another country.  We suggest that you plan carefully and strategically in order to avoid needless cost.

Pack your belongings deliberately.  Wrap them well, mark the contents of each box, and keep a master list detailing the contents.  Remember that when packing for an international move, weight does not determine the cost.  Volume does.

Put your items into storage and wait.  You may be renting a property in Spain that is already furnished and many of your items won’t be necessary.  Put emotions aside.  Keep just a few boxes of “must have” items that you don’t want to part with, and the rest of your belongings may or may not follow you.

In order to bring your household goods into Spain from outside the EU, it is suggested you do so after you’ve obtained your residency or work visa.  You will not be subject to tax if you follow this plan.  Your goods must arrive within 12 months of receiving your appropriate visa. 

Do not ship new items.  You will be taxed.  Do not declare anything “new” that is “used”.  You are risking being caught and your entire shipment will then be taxed.  If you have things that you absolutely must have, use them in your native country, wash the linens and towels, make them look used and not freshly unpackaged!  Spanish beds are different sizes.  Don’t bring U.S. or North American bed linens and mattress covers. 

Spain, as in all countries we profile, has furniture stores that cater to the property sizes in the specific area you are moving to.  Oversized U.S. furniture may be too large!  Be adventurous. Buy new things in Spain to furnish your new Spanish home!  Then hang that special picture you brought from home and blend your two environments.

Electrical appliances from the U.S. will operate on a transformer.  British appliances will work in Spain.  Televisions, VCRs and DVD players will not work.  Wait until you have your Spanish television set up and go online and look for a Multi-Regional DVD player.  That way, you can watch all your DVDs from home as well as the new DVDs you acquire while living in Spain.  Don’t buy the multi-regional player BEFORE you move… it operates on a different power.  WAIT!

Enjoy your new home, decorate with local flair.  You are beginning a new life.  Your home should be a blend of where you came from and where you are heading!