Can I send alcohol or tobacco to Spain?

More rules for Spain

Allowed with conditions

Tobacco, vaping devices, and refills

Accepted only between private individuals and up to €150 in value; otherwise inspectors seize them. They are free of duty and IVA only within the gift limits, for example 50 cigarettes.

Alcohol

Subject to excise duty, so it can't go on the simplified declaration for individuals. A gift is free of duty and IVA only within 1 liter of spirits or 2 liters of still wine and the €45 limit.

Quantity limits

Gifts between private individuals

Up to €45 (about $53) per box: no duty and no IVA, if occasional, unpaid, and for personal use. Within that: 50 cigarettes, 25 cigarillos, 10 cigars, or 50 g of tobacco; 1 liter of spirits or of drinks up to 22%; 2 liters of still wine; 50 g of perfume or 0.25 liters of toilet water. For IVA, also 500 g of coffee and 100 g of tea.

Tobacco and vaping products in parcels

Only between private individuals and up to €150 in value; otherwise seized.

Alcohol and tobacco (travelers only)

200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars, or 250 g of tobacco; 1 liter of spirits or 2 liters of drinks up to 22%; 4 liters of still wine; 16 liters of beer, for travelers 17 and over. Does not apply to shipments.

Before you ship to Spain

Tax-free limit

Boxes between mainland Spain or the Balearics and other EU countries clear no customs and owe nothing on arrival. From outside the EU (including the UK), IVA is due from the first euro unless a relief applies. Occasional, unpaid gifts from one private person to another worth up to €45 (about $53) are free of duty and IVA. The EU's €150 (about $175) customs-duty relief ended on June 30, 2026: low-value online purchases now pay a flat €3 duty per item, and other boxes that no relief covers can owe duty at the normal tariff rate for each item.

Receiver ID

NIF: the DNI number for Spanish citizens, or the NIE for foreign nationals needed. The import declaration identifies the receiver by tax number, and AEAT's online forms for individuals work only with the receiver's own electronic signature. Give the DNI or NIE when you book. If the receiver has no Spanish number yet, ask the courier before shipping whether a passport number will do.

Transit

2-4 business days from Europe; 3-5 from North America; 4-7 from Asia

Read the full Spain guide

Questions

Ask about a specific item

Official sources

1. 1.

   Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, with the Subdirección General de Sanidad Exterior

   Nota a operadores sobre pequeñas partidas de mercancías expedidas para personas físicas no destinadas a comercializarse (opens in a new tab)
2. 2.

   Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios (AEMPS)

   Medicamentos destinados al tratamiento de los viajeros (opens in a new tab)
3. 3.

   Agencia Tributaria (AEAT), Departamento de Aduanas e Impuestos Especiales

   Instrucciones de utilización de la declaración de envíos para particulares (opens in a new tab)
4. 4.

   Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE)

   Ley 37/1992, de 28 de diciembre, del Impuesto sobre el Valor Añadido (opens in a new tab)
5. 5.

   Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE), Official Journal of the EU text

   Reglamento (CE) nº 1186/2009 del Consejo, de 16 de noviembre de 2009, relativo al establecimiento de un régimen comunitario de franquicias aduaneras (opens in a new tab)
6. 6.

   Ministerio de Cultura

   Exportación de bienes culturales a otros países (opens in a new tab)
7. 7.

   Agencia Tributaria Canaria

   Formulario simplificado de importación para personas físicas (opens in a new tab)
8. 8.

   Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE)

   Ley 8/1991, de 25 de marzo, por la que se aprueba el arbitrio sobre la producción y la importación en las ciudades de Ceuta y Melilla (opens in a new tab)

General guidance, not legal advice. Customs in Spain makes the final decision on every box.