"Moving" sounds like one single thing, but in the household removals industry there are three very distinct categories governed by entirely different regulations, timelines and prices: domestic, international and inter-island. Understanding the difference will help you book the right service and avoid surprises on your invoice or at customs.
Domestic removal: within mainland Spain
This covers the movement of household goods between two points in mainland Spanish territory + the Balearic Islands. No customs documentation is required, no duties apply, prices are the lowest on the market and the entire operation is carried out by road.
Key features
- No DUA or customs management
- 100% road transport (lorry, van)
- Transit time: 1–3 days depending on distance
- Price: the most affordable (0.80–1.50 €/km + hourly loading rate)
- Mandatory RC insurance included
Typical examples
Madrid → Sevilla, Barcelona → Valencia, Bilbao → Málaga. Even for the Balearic archipelago, most operators treat it as "domestic" because only a ferry is required, with no DUA.
International removal: crossing a customs border
Any movement of household goods that crosses a customs border, whether within the EU or outside it. It requires complete documentary management, customs declarations and compliance with specific Incoterms.
Subcategories
Intra-EU (EU → EU)
Spain → Portugal, France, Germany, Italy, etc. No duties within the single market, but the following are required:
- T2L document (proof of EU-status goods)
- Detailed inventory in the local language of the destination country
- Compliance with transport schedules and restrictions per country
Extra-EU (EU → outside EU, or vice versa)
Spain → United Kingdom, Switzerland, USA, Latin America, etc. Required:
- Export DUA at origin (Form 380)
- Import DUA at destination
- Possible duties and VAT depending on the country (with personal removal exemption if requirements are met)
- Inventory valued in foreign currency
- Application of Incoterms 2020 (EXW, FOB, CIF, DAP, DDP)
Typical timelines and prices
- EU: 5–10 days, €1,500–4,000 (average flat)
- Extra-EU by road (United Kingdom, Switzerland): 7–14 days, €2,500–5,000
- Extra-EU by sea (USA, Latin America, Asia): 30–60 days, €4,000–9,000
Inter-island removal: the special case of the Canary Islands
Although politically the Canary Islands are Spanish national territory, fiscally they are outside the VAT area and the EU's common customs territory. This makes them a unique case: a removal from the mainland to the Canary Islands, or between the islands themselves, requires customs treatment similar to an international move but governed by its own rules.
Economic and Fiscal Regime (REF)
The Canary Islands are governed by:
- IGIC (Canary Islands General Indirect Tax) at 7%, instead of 21% VAT
- AIEM (Tax on Imports and Deliveries of Goods) — variable by product
- A mandatory DUA for any entry or exit (including between islands if crossing provincial boundaries)
Further detail at: The Canary Islands fiscal regime (REF) explained.
Types of inter-island removal
Mainland → Canary Islands
The most common type. It combines a road leg (collection from any mainland city) with a maritime leg (Cádiz, Sevilla, Barcelona or Valencia → destination Canarian port). A DUA is required and, if you are relocating due to a change of residence, you may apply for the AIEM exemption and pay NO Canarian duty on your personal belongings.
Between the Canary Islands
From Tenerife to Gran Canaria, or from Lanzarote to Fuerteventura, etc. If the move crosses provincial boundaries (Las Palmas ↔ Santa Cruz de Tenerife), a DUA is also required even though both points are Spanish territory.
Canary Islands → Mainland (return)
The reverse move. For goods that have been in the Canary Islands for more than 1 year, entry into the mainland is exempt from VAT and duties under the "return" regime, provided you can substantiate this with prior registration of residence.
Typical timelines and prices to the Canary Islands
- Sea transit: 5–9 days depending on port of origin
- Collection + loading + delivery: +3–5 days
- Total door to door: 10–15 days
- Average price (20 m³): €1,700–3,000 depending on season and services
Comparative summary table
A quick overview so you can see the key differences:
- Domestic: 100% road, no customs, 1–3 days, 0.80–1.50 €/km
- International EU: road or sea, T2L, 5–10 days, +50% on domestic rate
- International extra-EU: sea/air, DUA + Incoterms, 7–60 days, +100–200% on domestic rate
- Inter-island Canary Islands: sea transport mandatory, DUA, AIEM, 10–15 days, comparable in price to EU international
How to choose the right service
Common mistakes to avoid:
- Booking a "domestic" removal to the Canary Islands: many mainland companies accept the job without knowing how to handle the DUA and end up subcontracting it, doubling the price
- Failing to declare the AIEM exemption: you are obliged to pay Canarian duty on your belongings even if you are moving for residential reasons
- Unvalued inventory for international removals: the destination customs authority may refuse entry or apply an unfavourable estimated value
What is your situation?
If you are moving to the Canary Islands from the mainland or between islands, request a quote stating your origin and destination. We will tell you exactly which type of removal applies, what documentation you need and a fixed price within 24–48 hours.
Frequently asked questions about removal types
Why is a removal to the Canary Islands "international" if the Canary Islands are part of Spain?
The Canary Islands lie outside the EU's common customs territory, so any removal from the mainland (even though both are Spain) requires a DUA (Single Administrative Document) and exemption from mainland VAT if you can prove Canary Islands residency. From a fiscal and customs standpoint it is treated like an international removal, even though you are not crossing national borders.
Does an inter-island removal (between the Canary Islands) require customs paperwork?
No. Removals between the Canary Islands are internal operations within the archipelago: only transport (ferry or flight depending on volume) and standard transport documentation (inventory, invoice) are needed. There is no DUA or customs control. Exception: if you are transporting plant or animal products, Canary Islands phytosanitary regulations apply.
Which is more expensive: domestic, international or inter-island removal?
Per kilometre: inter-island tends to be the most expensive (short distances but mandatory sea transport with lower service frequencies). By total volume: long-distance international (Madrid → Paris, Madrid → London) generally exceeds long-distance domestic. Typical figures for a 2-bedroom flat (25 m³): domestic €1,000–1,800, to the Canary Islands €1,800–2,700, inter-island €800–1,300, international Europe €2,500–4,500, intercontinental €5,000–9,500.
Do I need different insurance depending on the type of removal?
Basic RC insurance covers all types. For long-distance removals (international or by sea to the Canary Islands) an additional declared-value policy is recommended (the sea crossing adds risks: prolonged vibration, humidity and temperature changes). For removals involving particularly delicate items (works of art, antiques) specific fine-art transport insurance is advisable. More detail: transporting collectables.
What timelines should I expect depending on the type of removal?
Door-to-door approximations: short domestic (<500 km) 1–3 days, long domestic (>500 km) 3–5 days, inter-island within the Canary Islands 3–7 days, to the Canary Islands from the mainland 10–15 days, international EU 8–15 days, intercontinental 25–60 days. More on types: international removal from the Canary Islands.
