1. How the car travels
Cars leave from Huelva, with sailings to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, or on the public-service line with Cádiz or Huelva, which connects with Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and La Palma. For La Gomera and El Hierro, the car goes via Tenerife.
You can choose door to door (we collect it in your city and deliver it to your address on the island) or at the port.
2. The car's documents
- Technical data sheet with a valid ITV inspection.
- Registration certificate.
- Valid insurance.
- The owner's DNI or NIE.
3. The customs declaration when entering the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are Spain and the European Union, but they are outside the VAT area. That's why, according to the Spanish Tax Agency, a vehicle arriving from the mainland or the Balearics needs an entry declaration or a DUA, filed through VEXCAN. IGIC is paid with it. There are no customs duties.
4. The change-of-residence exemption
If you move to live in the Canary Islands and take your car, an IGIC exemption for change of residence may apply, under the law on the Canary Islands' economic and tax regime. It has requirements about how long the vehicle has been in your name and deadlines, so check them before shipping the car.
5. When the car arrives
The car keeps its Spanish plate. Where applicable, the special tax on certain means of transport is regularised. If you change address, update it with the DGT and tell your insurer.
If the car comes from another country instead of the mainland
If you're buying it in Germany or another European country to register it here, it's an import. We explain it in the guide on importing a car from Germany to the Canary Islands.