Moving Personal Effects to the Canary Islands

Customs: duty free (Canary Islandsa is a member of the EU)
Documentation: valid passport(s), detailed inventory. Additional paperwork must be completed for the Spanish Authorities in order to receive an NIE Number and a Spanish Local Authority Certificate.

Prohibitions and restrictions

This is the default list for every country:

• Firearms and ammunition
• Inflammable goods & substances
• Plants and plant material
• Foodstuffs, perishables or otherwise
• Narcotics and dangerous goods
• Offensive materials
• Alcohol and tobacco

Please check that the Canary Islands don’t have any other restricted items of which you should be aware.

Humphreys’ Transit Options to the Canary Islands

On average it takes 28 days to move your belongings to the Canary Islands. These are your transit options:

Container: 20ft & 40ft
Groupage service: Yes
Schedule: weekly

Moving Motor Vehicles to the Canary Islands

Duty and tax on your vehicle apply in the Canary Islands.

Storage Options for Moving to the Canary Islands

We have safe and secure storage facilities for our customers moving to the Canary Islands. Conveniently located around the UK, our storage options will give you peace of mind that your furniture and personal effects are ready and waiting for you whenever you need them.

Humphreys’ Packing Service

We have 3 flexible packing options:

1. Full Service: our specialist pack crew packs everything for you.
2. Part Service: you decide what you want to pack and we do the rest.
3. Self Packing: you take on the whole task yourself using our materials which we’ve sent to you in advance (flatpack boxes, tape and packing paper).

Find out more about our packing service and the guidance we give all our customers whether we pack or they pack.

Taking Pets to the Canary Islands

The following list is for guidance only – please find out if the Canary Islands has different or additional requirements.

• Electronic microchip implant
• New Brexit rules require pets to have an animal health certificate (AHC) instead of a passport no earlier than 10 days before travel. Please check with your vet.
• Current rabies vaccination
• Antiparasitical treatment (dogs only)
• Completion of fitness to fly

Further information is also available from pbspettravel.co.uk or airpets.com.

Key Facts About the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands comprises 7 islands in the Atlantic close to the west coast of Africa. As you’d expect they have a consistently warm-hot climate throughout the year.

The Canary Islands combined is one of the most biodiverse geographical areas in the world. Between them the Islands offer richly varying landscapes and beaches with black, golden, red and white sand.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife share capital city status. The largely European population is just over 2 million combined.

Finally, the name comes from the Latin for dog ‘canaria’. Nothing to do with cute fluffy bird!

Spending your First Day on the Canary Islands

When you wake up on your first morning on the Canary Islands, we recommend you behave as if you’re on holiday – even if you aren’t! Breakfast out in a ‘local’ coffee shop or bar, then maybe a bit of exploring, making sure to find local food shops or a supermarket.

Maybe limit unpacking to the essentials on your first day but do attend to any urgent admin. Contact friends and family to let them know you’ve arrived safely.

We will update you regarding any of your personal effects still in transit. For example, you might have a car or motor bike on its way over from the UK.

Finally, book yourself into a local restaurant for a celebratory dinner on your first evening. Your neighbours will probably give you some good tips on the best eating places.