a few relocation questions

[nikkij]

hi all,

After talking about it for a very long time we are finally relocating to lanza (prob playa blanca at first).  We being, myself, my partner our 4 year old girl and 18 month old boy.  We are renting out our house in the uk for a year. There are many questions that I need to ask but I was just wondering about the import tax on goods that you ship over.  We are not bringing big items such as furniture but do want to bring a few things such as our kids toys and the tv.  I have read that you pay 8% is this of the value of the goods?  If so how is this worked out as nothing that we are bringing over would be brand new.  Also I already have a NIE number from working in the balearics and the canaries quite a few years ago, would this number still be relevant.  thanks for any info.  everything is whirlwind at the mo and I have so much to organise.

thanks

nikki

[✈ Elle ☀]

Hi Nikki. Yes, the figure is 8% (from memory). But it's not of the "new" value. Guage a rough idea of the total value yourself... and then speak to your Shipping company - they may well advise a different figure. I have to be careful what I say publicly, as I wouldn't want to get anyone into trouble.

We declared a much lower value when we shipped our stuff over... but for us, it was more about the insurance. If the ship had sank - we would have had to spend more to replace stuff... but for us it was worth the risk.

Yes... your NIE should stay with you for life now. Have a chat to Guy Buske, and he might be able to check for you... or find out how you can check yourself.

Elle xx

[John B]

If I remember correctly, duty is not paid on used effects  or furniture if you have Empadronamiento that it less than one year old.  We bought the house some years before moving over, and getting our Empadron. The criteria is the Empadronado not the date you purchased the property.  Can anyone confirm that?

[Clanky]

There is definitely a way to avoid import tax on personal effects, the company who are shipping your stuff should be able to advise you the exact details.

I didn't pay any import tax, but if I remember correctly I had to go along to the Hacienda (??) in Areciffe and get "Etiquetas Fiscales" (these are basically a page full of labels with your details and a bar code, which I then had to give to Cargo Lanzarote.

[nikkij]

Thanks

thats a great help I will check it out.  Can anyone recommend any reliable shipping companies?  We haven't a clue who to use.

[Ray]

Hi.
We moved over 9 months ago. With the NIE we didnt have to pay duty on our personal effects. We used T.C. freight who were very helpfull and patient. http://www.tcfreight.org.uk/

Good luck
Ray

[John B]

Ray, we used TC  too, in fact my quote above re Empadron comes from one of their e mails.  We did have to pay duty on the  items we declared as new-a few tools etc.

[nikkij]

Thanks guys

I reallly appreciate the advice, I will check out their website

nikki

[Clanky]

There seem to be 2 major firms which do UK - Lanzarote transport, TC Freight and CJ (C&J ?) Haulage, i used TC Freight for my personnal effects and I was very pleased with the service I received, but I know others have had a fairly bad experience with therm.

[nikkij]

Hi all,

We have managed to rent somewhere in playa blanca for 6 months, from the start of August so I am just organising all of our things to be shipped.  I have been looking at 2nd hand cars and know that they are really expensive compared to the uk.  I have finally managed to convince my partner that we don't want to bring our car from the uk.  Does anyone know of any websites that sell new cars as I wanted to compare prices.   Also for people that have made the move, is there anything you wished you would have know in hindsight? Or anything that you would have done differently?

thanks nikki

[Allan M]

Hi nikkij.

This one might help I hope.

http://www.grupoflick.com/Automocion/Home.aspx

[Ray]

If we had realised how relativly inexpensive transporting good over was we probably would have brought more out with us.

We used http://www.britishgaragelanzarote.com/ they were very helpfull.

Ray

[nikkij]

thanks guys,

yes we are gonna bring more out with us now than originally thought, I am just sorting it all out now in between working and looking after the kids, it is very hectic here.