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Removals to America from Spain go by sea. Spain sits on the Atlantic and Mediterranean and has direct container shipping services to the US East Coast, Gulf Coast and West Coast from its main ports. Barcelona, Valencia and Algeciras are the primary loading points depending on where in Spain you are moving from.
Moving to the USA is more involved than moving within Europe. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires a customs filing for every shipment entering the country, and there is a mandatory pre-loading filing called the ISF that must be submitted at least 24 hours before your goods are loaded onto the vessel in Spain. A US-licensed customs broker handles the clearance at the American end. The matched removal company organises all of this as part of the service.
Personal household effects that have been owned and used for at least 12 months may qualify for duty-free entry under US tariff heading 9804. Newer items or commercial goods do not qualify and duty applies. Getting this right starts with a detailed packing inventory before the goods leave Spain.
Your Spanish collection address, US delivery state and city, moving date and rough volume. The matching service is free and your details go to one company only.
One FIDI FAIM certified removal company with experience on the Spain to USA route is matched to your enquiry. They contact you with a confirmed quote covering collection, sea freight, ISF filing, US customs clearance and delivery.
The removal company collects in Spain, loads your container or groupage consignment at a Spanish port, files the ISF with CBP, clears customs at the US port of entry and delivers to your American address.
The loading port depends on where in Spain your goods are collected and which shipping line the removal company uses for your destination.
All times are indicative. Add packing and collection in Spain plus inland delivery at the US end. The matched removal company confirms the full schedule.
Sole use of a 20ft or 40ft container. Best for 2-bedroom and larger household moves. A 20ft container holds approximately 28 to 33 cubic metres.
Your goods are not unloaded and reloaded between Spain and the US. One customs entry covers the whole container. Better protection and often faster clearance at the US end than groupage.
Your goods share a container with other US-bound shipments. Good for studio flats, one-bedroom apartments or personal effects under 15 cubic metres.
US customs clearance still applies to your portion of the shipment. Groupage transit times to the US are similar to FCL sailing times but deconsolidation at the US end adds a few days before delivery.
For urgent or high-value small shipments. 3 to 5 days from Spain to most US cities. Significantly more expensive than sea freight per cubic metre.
Suitable for documents, clothing, electronics and small items under 100kg. US customs and ISF rules still apply to air freight shipments. Not suitable for furniture or full household contents.
The USA has its own customs system with no connection to EU rules. Every shipment entering the United States is processed by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). There are no blanket exemptions for EU residents moving to the US. The process is more paperwork-heavy than moving within Europe but it is well established and the removal company's US customs broker partner handles it on your behalf.
The ISF, sometimes called the 10+2 rule, is mandatory for all ocean freight entering the USA. It must be filed with CBP at least 24 hours before your goods are loaded onto the vessel in Spain. The filing includes details about the shipper, the consignee (you), the contents and the vessel.
Failing to file on time means CBP can hold or refuse the shipment and issue substantial penalties. The removal company files the ISF as part of the standard service. You need to provide an accurate packing inventory before loading so the filing can be completed correctly.
Personal household effects that you have owned and used for at least 12 months before moving to the USA may qualify for duty-free entry under US tariff subheading 9804.00.05. This covers furniture, clothing, kitchenware and general household goods that are clearly for personal use and not for resale.
Items you bought recently or items that could be considered commercial goods do not qualify and duty applies at the standard US rate.
Your packing inventory needs to clearly identify which items qualify. The US customs broker reviews the inventory and advises on any items that may attract duty before the goods arrive at the US port.
You will typically need to provide the following to the removal company and their US customs broker:
CBP has a long list of prohibited and restricted items. Common ones that affect household moves include:
Moving to the USA from Spain involves sea freight costs, a US customs broker fee and inland delivery from the US port to your home. West Coast destinations cost more than East Coast because of the longer Panama Canal transit. These figures are starting points only.
US customs broker fees typically add £200 to £500 depending on the shipment. Inland delivery from the US port to your home address is quoted separately by the matched removal company. The matching service is free.
Ofrecemos intermediación gratuita para mudanzas internacionales desde España a Estados Unidos. Nuestros socios certificados por FIDI FAIM gestionan el transporte marítimo desde los puertos españoles hasta Nueva York, Miami, Los Ángeles, Houston y cualquier destino en Estados Unidos, incluyendo la presentación del ISF ante la aduana estadounidense (CBP) y el despacho de aduana en el puerto de destino. Una solicitud, un socio certificado. Gratuito.
International Removals Companies was founded by Darren Benjamin in 2010 and is operated by DATACONTEXT (UK) LTD, company number 07425576, registered at Norman House, Saint Saviours Estate, Abbey Street, London, SE1 3DH. The platform matches each Spain to USA enquiry with one suitable FIDI-certified removal company. Moving to the USA involves more process than a European move. The ISF filing, the US customs broker, the packing inventory requirements and the inland delivery network all need to be in place before a single box leaves Spain. The matched removal company has done this route before and knows what CBP expects. Your details go to one company only, not a comparison site.
Personal household effects that you have owned and used for at least 12 months before your move may qualify for duty-free entry under US tariff subheading 9804.00.05. Items bought recently, brand new items still in packaging and anything that could be seen as commercial stock do not qualify. Your packing inventory needs to reflect this clearly. The US customs broker reviews the inventory and flags anything that might attract duty before the goods arrive at the port.
The ISF (Importer Security Filing, also called 10+2) is a mandatory pre-loading customs filing with CBP for all ocean freight entering the USA. It has to be submitted at least 24 hours before your goods are loaded onto the ship in Spain. If it is filed late or contains errors, CBP can hold the shipment and fine the removal company. This is one reason why using a FIDI FAIM removal company with US experience matters on this route. They know the ISF process and have a US customs broker in place.
Spanish nationals need a visa to live and work in the USA. Spain is part of the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) but that only covers visits up to 90 days. If you are relocating permanently or for work you need the appropriate immigrant or non-immigrant visa from a US embassy or consulate in Spain before you move. Your visa status affects the customs entry process so the removal company needs to know your immigration status when preparing the customs documentation.
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Submit your Spanish collection address, US destination and moving date. One FIDI-certified removal company with US customs experience is matched to your route and contacts you directly with a confirmed quote covering sea freight, ISF filing and US delivery. Free.
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