Importing from China to Spain in 2026: a practical step-by-step guide

Importing from China: what you really need to know

China remains the main supplier for Spanish companies. Importing correctly from there is not difficult, but it requires a method: choosing the right transportation, calculating the total cost (not just the factory price), and arriving with impeccable documentation at the customs office. This is the guide we give to our clients at a3 Logistic.

1. Choose the right Incoterm

The Incoterm defines which part of the transportation each party pays for (and controls). For an importer, buying under FOB (the supplier delivers the goods embarked at the Chinese port) is usually better than under CIF: you choose the freight forwarder, control the freight, and avoid hidden extra costs at the destination that often come with the supplier's "free" freight. Buying under EXW gives you total control, but also makes you responsible for the internal logistics in China.

2. Maritime or air: real deadlines and costs

• Maritime FCL/LCL: the standard option. Approximate transit times of 25 to 35 days from the main ports (Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Qingdao) to Barcelona. LCL for small volumes, FCL from around 13-15 m³.
• Air: from 3 to 7 days door-to-door. It makes sense for urgent, high-value, or low-volume goods (electronics, spare parts, samples, campaigns with a fixed date).
• Rail: an intermediate alternative in terms of deadlines, subject to the situation of the Eurasian route at any given time.

Watch out for seasonality: the weeks prior to the Chinese New Year and the autumn peaks drive up freight costs and exhaust space. Plan your shipments with a margin.

3. Calculate the total cost of importation

The factory price is just the beginning. The real cost includes:

• Main transportation (maritime or air freight) and logistics at the origin.
• Tariff: depends on the tariff heading (TARIC code) of your product; can range from 0% to over 12% for consumer goods.
• Import VAT (21% general in Spain), calculated on value + freight + tariff.
• Customs clearance, port THC, and final delivery.

Classifying the tariff heading correctly is critical: an incorrect code means paying excessive tariffs or facing penalties and inspections. This is one of the key tasks of our customs consulting.

4. The documentation required by customs

• Consistent commercial invoice and packing list.
• Bill of Lading (maritime) or Air Waybill (air).
• Certificate of origin, if tariff preference applies.
• Depending on the product: CE marking, health or phytosanitary certificates, safety data sheets for chemical goods, etc.

5. The 5 most expensive mistakes of the novice importer

• Buying CIF without checking destination costs: the supplier's "cheap" freight is more than made up for by inflated local charges upon arrival.
• Not verifying the supplier or demanding cargo inspection before shipment.
• Undervaluing the goods on the invoice: the Spanish customs office cross-checks values; undervaluation results in regularization and penalties.
• Forgetting product regulations (CE, labeling, homologations): the goods may be retained even if the transport documents are perfect.
• Not hiring transport insurance: for a fraction of the cargo's value, you avoid endless discussions if something arrives damaged.

6. How we work the China–Barcelona route

We coordinate the entire operation: pickup at the factory, consolidation at the Chinese port, freight to Barcelona, customs clearance, and delivery to your warehouse, with tracking at each stage and a single point of contact. Over 35 years of experience on the route and stable agreements with major shipping lines allow us to offer competitive freight rates, even for SMEs.

Do you have an ongoing import or want to compare costs? Request a quote and we will prepare the complete calculation: freight, tariffs, VAT, and delivery, without surprises.