DHL, FedEx, UPS and Canary Customs — Complete Carrier Guide
Which carrier charges what for Canary customs? Compare DHL, FedEx, UPS, Correos, GLS, SEUR — handling fees and tips.
If you receive a parcel on the Canary Islands, you often have a choice between several carriers: DHL, Correos (Spanish post), FedEx, UPS, GLS, SEUR and MRW. Each has its own fees and customs-clearance process. This guide compares the major carriers, their import fees and gives tips on how to clear customs as cheaply as possible.
Why are carrier fees needed at all?
The Canaries are not part of the EU customs territory. Every shipment needs declaration. Carriers offer this service themselves — at a markup. What sounds like a mandatory fee with one carrier is an optional convenience service with another that you can also do cheaper yourself.
Each Canary shipment has three cost components:
- IGIC (7%) — state tax, unavoidable
- Carrier handling fee — varies, often €5–60
- Optionally storage fees if you wait too long
Saving tip: you avoid the handling fee by submitting the H7 yourself (via ImportCanariasFacil €0–8.95).
DHL Canary customs
DHL is one of the largest carriers for Canary shipments, both standard and express.
Handling fee: €15–25 standard (Express up to €35).
How DHL Canary customs works:
- SMS or email with link to DHL portal
- File H7 via DHL (extra cost) or choose "self-clearance" externally
- IGIC paid through DHL portal
- Delivery 1–2 working days after release
Tips for DHL:
- DHL Express = faster but more expensive
- For standard shipping: file H7 yourself, save €15–25
- Use DHL Tracking app for status
FedEx Canary customs
FedEx treats Canary shipments as international, with pros and cons.
Handling fee: €25–50 typical.
Process:
- Email with FedEx customs portal
- Portal optimized for businesses — private recipients have to navigate
- Can hire own customs agent
- Faster clearance with express
Tips:
- Business shipments: own customs agent or ImportCanariasFacil
- Private: often cheaper to let FedEx handle (portal is complex)
- Watch for FedEx advance fees (1.5% of goods value)
UPS Canary import fees
UPS is usually the most expensive option due to "UPS Brokerage".
Handling fee: €30–60 typical (Brokerage Express up to €80).
Process:
- UPS automatically offers Brokerage
- You can decline and self-file H7
- In UPS portal: choose "I will handle customs myself"
- File externally (ImportCanariasFacil)
Tips:
- Always decline Brokerage if you have time to file H7 yourself
- UPS Saver: fastest but most expensive
- Use Pre-Alert to lower fees
Correos (Spanish Post)
Cheapest, but slowest.
Handling fee: €5–12.
Process:
- Own portal for customs clearance
- Duration: 5–10 working days for simple shipments
- Sometimes need to visit local post office
Tips:
- Be patient — Correos works slower
- Visit post office in person if status doesn't move
- For sub-€30 shipments: Correos is usually best fit
GLS Canary customs
Mid-range option.
Handling fee: €10–20.
Process:
- Email notification with portal link
- Own or external H7 possible
- Delivery 1–3 working days after release
SEUR Canary customs
SEUR (DPD subsidiary) is widely used in Spain and the Canaries.
Handling fee: €15–25.
Special: SEUR sometimes requires prepayment before clearance. Cash-flow relevant if carrier amount exceeds goods value.
MRW Canary customs
Regional carrier, mostly for local deliveries.
Handling fee: €8–15.
Carrier comparison table
| Carrier | Handling | Speed | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DHL Standard | €15–25 | medium | Standard shipments |
| DHL Express | €25–35 | very fast | Urgent |
| FedEx | €25–50 | fast | Business |
| UPS | €30–60 | fast | Avoid if possible |
| Correos | €5–12 | slow | Cheapest |
| GLS | €10–20 | medium | All-round |
| SEUR | €15–25 | medium | If prepay OK |
| MRW | €8–15 | medium | Local shipments |
How to save on carrier fees
Strategy 1: Self-clearance
Instead of €25–60 carrier fee, pay €0–8.95 via ImportCanariasFacil. Savings per shipment: €15–50.
Strategy 2: Carrier choice at order time
Some online shops let you choose. Correos instead of UPS = €25–55 less.
Strategy 3: Bundle orders
Instead of 5 separate shipments at €10 each = €50, one bundle at €15. Saves €35.
Strategy 4: Prefer IOSS sellers
IGIC paid at order time → handling fees often lower.
What to do if carrier issues arise
- Long wait: contact local customs directly (phone +34 902 339 936 for Aduana)
- High fee: decline Brokerage (especially UPS), file H7 yourself
- No status update: check tracking via carrier portal or
https://www.aduanasdecanarias.es/
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
- Parcel at Canary customs — what to do
- Calculate customs fees
- Documents for customs
- Amazon, AliExpress and customs
FAQ
Which carrier is cheapest for Canary shipments?
Correos at €5–12 handling fee. But: longer wait. For speed: DHL Standard (€15–25).
Can I just decline UPS Brokerage?
Yes. In UPS portal: "I will handle customs myself". You get release after submitting H7 yourself.
How long does FedEx take to the Canaries?
Express: 2–3 working days. Standard: 4–7 working days plus 1–2 days clearance.
Is DHL recommended for Canary shipments?
Yes for standard. Express gets pricey.
Save on carrier fees — file H7 yourself →
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.