Getting a vehicle shipped to Spain

On Sept 9th, we said a sad farewell to our minivan as we left it in the Port of Baltimore to be shipped to Spain. Last week, on October 24th, we finally got it back! I was ecstatic! Having the van again has improved our life here in so many ways, so I would definitely encourage anyone considering shipping their large family vehicle here to DO IT! Here's why: First, being a 1-vehicle family is always challenging, but particularly so when you have 3 children and your husband has an unpredictable work schedule with long hours. We were able to buy a Spanish Nissan Terraro during our first few weeks here, but couldn't get into a regular routine because every day involved creative transportation plans, often with him running or biking to work, and sometimes with me biking the kids around. Now we can finally make our own schedules! Also, the van is automatic and has space for all the kids! That is not an option for most European vehicles. I am very proud that I learned how to drive stick when we got here, and I mostly did a good job. But... a month of driving an old manual truck with 3 car seats crammed in the tiny back seat, and kids poking each other and constantly whining is NOT ideal for anyone's stress levels! Every time I got in the truck, driving was a chore. Now I can use the van to actually do my other chores, or just to travel and explore. Yes, there is always the concern that large American vehicles won't fit on tiny European streets, and that crazy European parking styles will damage your vehicle. After driving the van through Puerto the other day I can understand those concerns. However, it really depends on how new your vehicle is, and whether you plan to live out in town. An SUV might not fit into an assigned parking spot for a house in town, but there are plenty of vans and SUV's on base. Ours is already old and scratched up, so we're not too worried about parking damage... but I have heard some stories. All I know is, I am a minivan Momma, and I would NOT be happy if we had to use a European hatchback instead!

Our military orders allowed us to ship 1 American spec vehicle to Spain, free of charge, and you are allowed to buy 1 Spanish vehicle here tax-free. It sounds pretty simple, but the car process is extremely complicated, and has been a rather time-consuming effort since we got here. I won't go into car buying here, partly because there are several options, and partly because my husband handled that so I don't have much knowledge. But when you ship a vehicle, here are the steps:

1. Before you leave the States, contact your insurance company to ask about international insurance. Most companies don't carry it, but USAA does, and I think Geico does. Explain that you are shipping your vehicle, and get the "green card" (Foreign Insurance document) before you go. Make sure there is no lapse of coverage in your insurance dates.

2. When you send your vehicle off, keep all relevant documents--Title, Registration, foreign insurance card, and shipping records--in a safe place in your hand-carried items. You don't want these to get lost in the move, or risk them showing up later than your car! During your check-in process, contact the Vehicle Processing Center (VPC) located just off base in Rota, and let them know how to contact you when your vehicle arrives.

3. It takes about 5-6 weeks to ship a car from the east coast, longer from the West Coast. You will get an e-mail from the VPC that your car is HERE! Very exciting! But before you can actually get it you have to jump through some hoops. They will send a customs document (Conduce) to the Security Dept. on base. Go to the Security Dept. with your ID and your vehicle's registration, and pick up the Conduce.

4. You will need to pay a vehicle registration fee of 101.80 Euros. Either get dollars changed into Euros, or write a check and have it cased at PSD. Then take your Euros to the Banco Popularie on base, and get a receipt for the registration fee.

5. Take the Conduce and the stateside registration to the service station on base, and schedule a safety inspection (ITV). They will give you a form confirming your appointment.

6. Go back to Security. This step must be completed by the Sponsor IN PERSON, and they must have all of the following documents:Bank receipt of registration fee, form confirming safety inspection appointment, 3 copies of orders, stateside registration form, international insurance (green card), Spanish drivers' license (the test is given during ICR) or a translated copy of your stateside license. If you have all of this, Security will give you a release form to go get your vehicle, as well as a temporary pass to drive the vehicle on base.

7. Go pick up your vehicle! The Vehicle Processing Center is now located in Puerto. As long as the stateside license plates are still on, you can drive the vehicle with those plates for 1 month. Keep the vehicle pass Security gave you displayed in your window to gain entrance to base.

8. Take the vehicle to the base Autoport for the ITV inspection. This is a safety inspection, not a mechanical test. They are mostly checking for custom body work, tinted windows, non-standard wheel sizes, etc. The only things you need to purchase are: 1 safety vest, 2 reflective triangles, and replacement light bulbs. These items are available in the Auto center (~$25), and they will even look up your light bulb specs. The vehicle should be dropped off by 8:45 the morning of inspection, and will be ready by 1PM. The inspection costs $45. You will receive an ITV card stating that you passed the inspection.

9. Take the ITV card to the Vehicle Registration Section of Security, so they can process the Spanish registration.

10. Once Security receives the Registration, you will go to Security to pick it up. It will have your new license plate number on it. Contact your insurance company with this info.

11. Go to the Autoport on base to order your license plates. Bring your Spanish Registration showing the license number. The plates cost $22 per set, plus $8.50 to have them installed. (They don't come with holes drilled, so if you don't pay installation you will have to drill them yourself.) Drive away happy and relieved.

Done! Now you have an American vehicle that is legally insured, registered, and licensed in Spain! You will have to submit it for semi-annual inspections, but you will not pay the Spanish tax (VAT) since it was not purchased here. A painful process? Yes. Time-consuming? Yes. I am on step 9, and it has already taken 2 weeks since Step 3! Looks like another week before we will be good to go. This is one of the last official hoops we have to jump through to complete our moving and check-in process, so it will be a huge relief when it is done! But it is certainly worth it to be able to drive our car and have a piece of familiarity here.