Importing Food and Drink Into Spain From The UK

Are you moving to Spain after Brexit? Have you ever considered importing food and drink into Spain? If this is something you have been considering for 2022, you’ll need to be aware of some of the key rule changes that have been imposed on imports since the Brexit transition period, and for 2022, new processes mean that this will be further changed from the previously established rules. With this in mind, today, we’re taking a look at some of the key rule changes you should know for importing food and drink into Spain – and, critically, how you can continue to import food and drink into Spain safely looking ahead.

However, before attempting to import any food or drink into Spain, it’s critical to check your local government guidance first to ensure you’re making the appropriate choices.

New Customs Controls Imposed on 1st January 2022

As we hit the new year, new customs when moving to Spain were also imposed at the British borders, a change that will likely impact numerous businesses from the country. As such, it’s critical for every business to have taken steps to prepare for the change – however, individuals travelling between the United Kingdom and Spain will still be unaffected by the change.

New Rules to be Imposed from July 2022

It’s worth noting that further changes will be imposed on the 1st July 2022 that will also have an impact on travellers leaving the UK for European countries such as Spain. Indeed, at this point, new restrictions will be implemented for high-risk food products, which can include meats and other such meat-derived products; these will need prior certification before entering the country. In addition, some select plant-based products may also require vetting before they can be entered into the country.

These new rules, following July 2022, will be applicable on all food imports into Spain, including those for commercial purposes and those for holidaymakers. As such, suppose you wanted to bring back some authentic Spanish chorizo for a loved one back home in the UK as a gift; now, you will officially need to obtain a license for this product. However, it’s unclear whether this will be strictly policed for small private vehicles or if a small quantity for personal consumption may be allowed or not; you should hence obtain further clarity from your local authorities before attempting to import or export any foodstuffs from Spain. If you decide to book our man and van to Spain we can also handle customs and duties for you.

Additional Regulations for September 2022

Following on from the aforementioned changes, additional changes will also be implemented in September 2022 on dairy products, which will be applicable for any dairy-containing product such as cheese, chocolate, yoghurt, and milk. These will be liable for further restrictions at the customs borders, and this may be something to consider when planning your own trip; if you do not need to bring such ingredients with you, purchasing the ingredients at a local Spanish shop may be easier.

Moreover, the export of live animals may also a play an important role following September 2022, where livestock will be regulated with imports. However, pet animals will still be covered by their pet passports and an animal health certificate, as provided by your veterinarian.

Final Changes in November 2022

In addition to the aforementioned changes, new changes will also be put into place from 1st November 2022, which will see any products of animal origin being covered by the new restrictions; this will include composite and fish products, as well as fish derivatives, dairy products, eggs, and the like. As such, if you have been planning to bring such foodstuffs into Spain following the Brexit implementation, you may need to check whether you need a certificate to import into the country. If you are returning from to the UK after Brexit, you can get in touch with us so we can provide you with the latest information on import/export.

In addition, further restrictions may also be put into place following November 2022 which may limit your ability to import or export bulbs, seeds, and the like for personal or commercial use.

Rule Changes for Alcohol in Spain

As a final change, it’s worth considering that the new rules will also be applicable for those wanting to bring alcohol into Spain (or vice versa); however, the amount of alcohol that can be imported or exported will be strictly controlled. The most limited are spirits and liquors with 22% alcohol concentration or greater, for which you can only import 4 litres; meanwhile, for those under 22% (including fortified wines and sparkling wines), you can move up to a maximum of 9 litres. Finally, still wine and beer are less restricted, with import restrictions of 18 and 42 litres respectively.

Final Thoughts

If you have been looking to bring food or alcohol with you during a trip to Spain, new restrictions implemented during 2022 may limit your ability to move such products. However, that’s not to say that importing or exporting food and alcohol is impossible; however, it will require slightly more planning and thought from this point forwards.