Calculate Canary Customs Fees — IGIC, Duties, Charges
What does Canary customs really cost? Quick calculator: IGIC 7%, shipping, carrier handling, duties. With examples.
Before you order to the Canaries, calculate the customs fees in advance. A €50 order can grow to €80–100 with IGIC and carrier fees. This guide shows you how to calculate Canary customs fees, gives you example calculations and helps you avoid nasty surprises.
The customs-fee formula
Simple formula:
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Total = Goods + Shipping + IGIC + Carrier handling [+ AIEM + Duties]
IGIC = (Goods + Shipping) × 7%
Below €150 value: H7 form (simplified import clearance) — no additional duties on EU-mainland shipments.
Above €150: full DUA + duties 0–17% by goods type.
For AIEM goods (tobacco, alcohol, some electronics) additional 5–25% special tax.
Example 1: Book from Germany
You order a textbook from Amazon.de:
- Goods: €89.50
- Shipping: €14.90
- Sum (IGIC base): €104.40
- IGIC 7%: €7.31
- DHL handling: €18.00
Saving potential: if you file H7 yourself via ImportCanariasFacil (€8.95) instead of DHL handling (€18), you save €9.05 — or €0 if it's your first form (free).
Example 2: Smartphone from China (AliExpress)
Smartphone for €145 with IOSS seller:
- Goods: €145.00
- Shipping: €12.00
- Sum: €157.00
- IGIC 7%: €10.99 (already paid via IOSS if seller registered)
- AIEM (electronics): 0% (not all devices AIEM-liable)
- UPS handling: €45.00
Watch: at €145 + €12 you reach €157 total — over €150. May be DUA-liable. Better keep goods (excl. shipping) under €150.
Example 3: T-shirt from EU mainland
Spanish online shop:
- Goods: €35.00
- Shipping: €4.90
- Sum: €39.90
- IGIC 7%: €2.79
- Correos handling: €8.00
Lesson: small orders make handling fees proportionally very expensive. Bundle orders make sense here.
Example 4: High-value shipment over €150
Designer clothing for €250:
- Goods: €250.00
- Shipping: €20.00
- Sum: €270.00
- IGIC 7%: €18.90
- Customs duty (textiles): 12% = €30.00
- DUA processing (forwarder): €80.00
- DHL handling: €30.00
What does "Canary customs clearance" mean?
Customs clearance is the process from "pending" to "released":
- Customs declaration (H7 or DUA)
- Tax payment (IGIC + possibly duty + AIEM)
- Carrier verification
- Release by Aduana
When does which tax apply?
| Goods type | IGIC | AIEM | Duty | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Books, CDs | 3% | — | — | Amazon books |
| Food | 0–7% | — | — | Wine, honey |
| Standard goods | 7% | — | — | Clothing, shoes |
| Tobacco | 7% | up to 25% | — | Cigarettes, cigars |
| Alcohol | 7% | up to 25% | — | Wine, spirits |
| Some electronics | 7% | 0–10% | — | Special electronics |
| Third-country imports | 7% | varies | 0–17% | China, US, UK |
Saving tips
1. Keep goods under €150
Above €150 → DUA-liable → €80–150 extra forwarder costs.2. Keep shipping separate
With some carriers shipping is not in the IGIC base. Check before ordering.3. Choose IOSS sellers
One-Stop-Shop: IGIC paid at order time. Faster release, often lower handling fee.4. Optimize carrier choice
Correos instead of UPS: €5–12 vs €30–60.5. Self-clearance via H7
ImportCanariasFacil: first form free, then €8.95. Vs carrier handling €25–60.Quick calculator: ImportCanariasFacil
While you fill out the H7 form, our workflow shows you automatically the IGIC and customs fees based on your inputs — no manual math.
What Import Canarias Facil does — and what you do
Import Canarias Facil is not a customs broker. We are a guided online tool that helps you fill out the H7 form (invoice OCR, validation, PDF download). We explain step by step what to do as the recipient of a parcel ≤ €150 — whether your shipment is C2C (gift from a private sender) or B2C (Amazon, AliExpress, online shops).
What we do:
- Guided workflow for the H7 form with OCR recognition of your invoice
- PDF export of the completed form
- Step-by-step instructions for the next actions (carrier submission, payment, release)
What you as the parcel recipient do:
- Submit the completed H7 PDF to your carrier (DHL, Correos, FedEx, UPS, etc.) or upload it via the AEAT portal
- Pay IGIC (7% on goods + shipping) + carrier handling fee
- Obtain customs clearance and arrange final delivery
Communication with logistics companies and customs authorities stays between you and them. We do not act on your behalf.
Related articles
- Customs on the Canaries — basics
- DHL, FedEx, UPS comparison
- DUA vs simplified clearance
- Amazon, AliExpress and customs
FAQ
What's the customs cost on a €50 order to the Canaries?
€50 + €5 shipping → IGIC €3.85 + Correos €8 = €66.85 total. 33% surcharge.
How is the customs fee calculated?
For H7: only IGIC 7% on goods + shipping, plus carrier handling. For DUA: also duty 0–17% by TARIC code.
Can I pay customs myself without a carrier?
Yes — official Aduana website. Carrier handling skipped completely if you file H7 yourself.
What is AIEM and when does it apply?
AIEM is a Canary special tax on certain goods (tobacco, alcohol, some electronics). Adds up to 25% on top of IGIC.
Calculate customs with ImportCanariasFacil →
Practical example 1: Tenerife student orders a textbook
Maria, a student in La Laguna, orders a specialist book on Amazon.de for €65 (€8 shipping). She is surprised that during checkout the note "Delivery may be delayed" appears. A week later DHL emails her: "Parcel at customs, action required."
What happens in detail:
- Customs is waiting for the H7 form (value below €150 → simplified version)
- Maria has to pay IGIC: 7% of €73 = €5.11
- DHL offers self-clearance handling for €18
Maria has two options:
- Option A: DHL handles it → final price: 65 + 8 + 5.11 + 18 = €96.11
- Option B: H7 self-filed via ImportCanariasFacil → final price: 65 + 8 + 5.11 + 0 (first form free) = €78.11
Saving: €18. For future orders she pays €8.95 per H7 — still cheaper than the carrier handling fee.
Practical example 2: Hamburg family sends a gift to grandparents on Lanzarote
Bea and Klaus from Hamburg send a box with family photos, a book and chocolate to grandma's 80th birthday — estimated total value €45. They use DHL Standard.
What happens with the shipment?
- Reaches customs on Lanzarote
- Carrier contacts the grandparents: C2C shipment, value declaration needed
- Grandma (86) is overwhelmed by the customs portal
Solution: her grandson Diego (lives on Tenerife) takes over:
- Logs into ImportCanariasFacil
- Selects C2C workflow
- Enters estimated value €45
- Ticks "no invoice available"
- IGIC: 7% on €45 = €3.15
- H7 PDF generated in 5 minutes
- Grandma pays €3.15 online → parcel released within 24 hours
Lesson: even C2C shipments need an H7. With help from a digitally-savvy family member, it's manageable.
Deep-dive: How exactly is IGIC calculated?
IGIC stands for "Impuesto General Indirecto Canario" — the Canary VAT. It has multiple rates:
| Rate | Application | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0% | Basic foods, some books | Bread, water, certain books |
| 3% | Reduced rate | Newspapers, audiobooks, some foods |
| 7% | Standard rate | Most consumer goods |
| 9.5% | Increased rate | Jewelry, furs |
| 13.5% | Special rate | Tobacco (in addition to AIEM) |
| 20% | Luxury rate | Very rare, hardly used |
What is the difference vs. IVA on the mainland?
IVA (Impuesto sobre el Valor Añadido) is the Spanish VAT on the mainland with rates of 4%, 10% and 21%. The Canary IGIC completely replaces it.
Advantage for consumers in the Canaries: usually lower taxes than on the mainland (7% vs 21%). Disadvantage: a customs barrier that complicates online shopping from the mainland.
What is AIEM?
AIEM (Arbitrio sobre Importaciones y Entregas de Mercancías en las Islas Canarias) is a special tax on the Canaries. It protects the local industry by making imported competing products more expensive. Areas of application:
- Tobacco: up to 25%
- Alcoholic beverages (spirits, some wines): up to 25%
- Some construction materials: 5–15%
- Specific electronics: 0–10%
Practical tips for regular island shoppers
If you frequently receive parcels in the Canaries:
- Apply for an EORI number — free, simplifies future DUA shipments
- Get an NIE in time — at the police or Spanish consulate
- Find preferred senders — some online shops ship without issues, others refuse
- Plan combined orders — one larger order every 2–3 months
- ImportCanariasFacil subscription (€48.95/month) pays off from ~6 shipments/month
What to do in disputes?
If customs rejects your declaration or charges higher rates than expected:
- Written appeal to the Aduana (within 30 days)
- Consult a tax advisor (cost €80–200)
- Contact Canary consumer protection (OMIC) for carrier issues
- Online forum for Canary residents (e.g., Tenerife forum) — many have similar experiences
Frequently asked questions — extended
Are there allowances for personal shipments?
Yes. Personal shipments under €22 value are usually IGIC-free, but the customs declaration is still mandatory. That is the smallest threshold.
How do Lanzarote and Tenerife differ in customs?
Functionally identical. The main customs offices are in Las Palmas (for the eastern islands) and Santa Cruz de Tenerife (for the western islands). Shipments are usually routed to the nearest customs office.
Can I have parcels sent to a friend who handles the customs declaration?
In theory yes. In practice, the NIF/NIE of the declared recipient is used. If your friend clears it, their NIE goes on the H7.
What if I live in the Canaries but have no NIE?
Then you need one before you can receive parcels from the mainland. Apply at the Spanish police (Extranjería).
Do Brexit rules apply?
Yes. Shipments from the UK have been treated as third-country imports since 2021 → DUA-required from €150, customs duties 0–17%, higher carrier fees.