Shipping goods to Melilla: what you need to know
Melilla, a Spanish city on the North African coast, is just a few hours by ferry from mainland Spain, but for goods it is like crossing a border. According to the Spanish Tax Agency, the city is not part of the EU customs territory or the VAT area. Any shipment between mainland Spain and Melilla needs:
- Sea freight, usually combined with road transport at origin and destination.
- Export on the mainland, with its customs declaration.
- Import into Melilla, with payment of IPSI, the tax that replaces VAT.
If any of the three steps fails, the goods get stuck at the port. That is why we offer the complete shipment: transport and customs in a single service.
Shipping from mainland Spain to Melilla, customs included
With our all-in-one service you do not have to hire the carrier, the export customs agent and the import customs agent separately. We:
- Organise collection and transport to the port of departure.
- Prepare the export paperwork and file the declaration.
- Coordinate the sea freight to Melilla.
- Clear the import into Melilla and pay the IPSI.
- Leave the goods ready for delivery.
We have an office in Málaga, for departures from the mainland, and in Melilla, for arrivals. That way we follow the shipment at both ends.
What kind of goods we ship
- General business goods: stock for shops, building materials, furniture or equipment.
- Private shipments: house moves and personal belongings.
- Vehicles: shipping the car or motorbike is combined with its clearance and IPSI. More information on importing a car to Melilla.
- Parcels: small shipments have their own postal parcel customs clearance service.
Some goods, such as food, health products or dangerous goods, have special requirements. We tell you what is needed before shipping.
Freight from Melilla to mainland Spain
The service works the same way in the other direction. On leaving Melilla the goods are exported and, on entering mainland Spain, they are imported into the EU and VAT territory, with the duties and VAT that apply depending on their origin. We review each case so you do not overpay and the goods are not held at the port.
Get your quote for shipping to Melilla
Tell us what you are sending, from where and to where. With that we give you a fixed, no-obligation quote including transport and customs. If you ship often, see also our customs services for businesses.