Your Trusted International Moving Company
Moving from San Francisco, Redwood City, San Jose or anywhere else in the Bay Area to Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia or a smaller Spanish city means shipping your home about 5,800 miles across the Atlantic and through Spanish customs. NOR-CAL Moving Services is a Bay Area international moving company that manages the whole move, from packing at your door to delivery at your new address in Spain.
Whether you’re retiring, relocating for work or following family, moving to Spain involves coordinating two sets of customs rules, an ocean crossing and a delivery into a home that is often smaller than a Bay Area one. As a full-service international mover, NOR-CAL handles the packing, export paperwork, shipping and delivery so you have one point of contact. We are a direct mover, not a broker, and we are licensed and insured.
Why People Trust NOR-CAL Moving Services for Bay Area to Spain Moves?
Experienced Bay Area to Spain Movers
Export-Grade Packing and Crating
Customs Paperwork Support
Short and Long-Term Storage
Licensed and Insured Movers
We Make Your Move from the Bay Area to Spain Simple
- Free estimate. We survey your home in person or by video and recommend ocean or air freight.
- Packing and loading. Our crews pack, label and inventory everything at your Bay Area home.
- Export and shipping. We handle US export documents and book your shipment.
- Spanish customs and delivery. Your shipment is cleared in Spain and delivered to your door.
- Unpacking. We can unpack, place furniture and remove the packing materials.
Follow your shipment’s progress with our international shipment tracking.
Bay Area to Spain at a Glance
- Distance (San Francisco to Madrid): About 5,850 miles
- Typical shipping method: Ocean freight (full or shared container) or air freight
- Typical ocean transit, door to door: About 6 to 10 weeks
- Customs relief for movers: EU relief for moving your residence
- Electricity: US 120V / 60Hz; Spain 230V / 50Hz with Type C/F plugs
- Driving side: Right in both countries
An International Moving Company You Can Count On
We are based in the Bay Area, and our international moves run through the Allied International network of carriers and agents. You work with a local team before the move, and a partner team in Spain receives and delivers your shipment. Our international moving resources explain the process step by step. Moving elsewhere in Europe? See our Bay Area to France page.
What Makes the Bay Area to Spain Route Unique?
EU relief for people moving their residence. The EU generally allows personal belongings to be imported without customs duty or import VAT when you are moving your normal place of residence from outside the EU. It typically requires that you have lived outside the EU for at least 12 months and that you have owned and used the goods beforehand. Spanish customs commonly ask for documents such as a detailed inventory and proof of your identity and residence, and the requirements can change, so confirm them with Spanish customs or the Spanish consulate. We prepare the inventory and shipping paperwork.
Many destinations, many access situations. We arrange deliveries to Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and smaller cities such as Oviedo. Many Spanish homes are apartments in older buildings with narrow stairs, small lifts and tight streets, and delivery may call for a smaller vehicle or a furniture lift. Send us your address and floor and we’ll plan the delivery around it.
Choosing what to bring. Spanish homes are often smaller than Bay Area homes, and many are rented furnished. Deciding early what goes, what is stored and what you’ll sell saves shipping cost.
Different electricity. Spain runs on 230V / 50Hz with Type C and F plugs. Chargers and laptops usually work with an adapter, but large US appliances typically don’t.
Where we deliver. We deliver across Spain, including Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Oviedo.
Professional Packing and Unpacking for Your Spain Move
Your shipment will be loaded and unloaded several times on its way across the Atlantic. We use export-grade materials, crate fragile and valuable pieces and record every carton on a detailed inventory, which also supports your customs declaration. Our packing services include unpacking and removal of packing materials at your Spanish home.
Storage and Flexibility When You Need It
Lease dates, visa appointments and purchase completions often shift. We can keep your belongings in household storage before they ship, or arrange storage in Spain until your new home is ready.
Ready to Move from the Bay Area to Spain?
Tell us where you’re moving from and where in Spain you’re headed, and we’ll send a free quote. Get your free quote or call us at (510) 949-8954.
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Question & Answer
How long does it take to ship household goods from the Bay Area to Spain?
By ocean, most moves take about 6 to 10 weeks door to door, including pickup, export clearance, the sailing, Spanish customs and delivery. Air freight is faster and often used for essentials. Timing depends on the shipping method, the destination and whether customs inspects your shipment.
How much does it cost to move from the Bay Area to Spain?
Cost depends on the volume you’re shipping, ocean or air, full or shared container, packing, access at both addresses, insurance and the delivery location in Spain. We give a free written quote after reviewing your move, so you know the price before you commit.
Will I pay Spanish import duty or VAT on my belongings?
People moving their residence to Spain from outside the EU can generally import personal belongings without customs duty or import VAT, provided conditions are met, such as a minimum period of living outside the EU and prior ownership and use of the goods. Spanish customs commonly ask for a detailed inventory and proof of identity and residence. This is general information, not tax advice, so check the current requirements with Spanish customs.
Can you deliver to smaller cities and older buildings?
Yes. We arrange deliveries to smaller cities such as Oviedo as well as Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. Narrow streets, stairs and small lifts can affect the delivery plan, so send us your address and floor level early.
Will my US appliances work in Spain?
Usually not without changes. Spain uses 230V / 50Hz power and Type C and F plugs, while the US uses 120V / 60Hz. Chargers and many electronics are dual-voltage and work with a plug adapter, but appliances with motors or heating elements often don’t. Check the label on each one, or plan to replace it after you arrive.
Can I ship my car to Spain?
It’s possible, but the car must meet Spanish and EU registration and technical requirements, which can be costly for US-market cars. For many people selling it and buying in Spain is simpler. We’ll explain what to check before you decide. You can also read our FAQs.
Call us today!
(510) 949-8954