Lanzarote Relocation

We gave a lot of thought to what we were bringing with us when we moved, and charity shops and friends and family certainly did very well out of us! We got rid of pretty much everything except what we’d really need and ended up with 6 cubic metre boxes.

We decided to use a brokerage firm which we’d used through work previously, to handle the shipping, and it proved very cost effective. However, it turned out not to be the smartest move (with hindsight we should have had it sent to friends here). We had it all scheduled so that our belongings would arrive a few days after we did. This is after a multitude of phone calls and email to our brokers in the UK, and the company they were using, to ensure that we had provided everything needed. We were consistently told that everything was in order. However, it was only when we got here that the shippers told us we had to organise our NIE & NIF numbers before they could even despatch the boxes! It took us just a couple of days to organise the numbers (that was the quick part) but then over six weeks to get our things through customs (don’t forget the 8% duty due at this point – which is based on the list and values you provide). Cargo Lanzarote – what a nightmare!

As well as having to live out of a suitcase for quite some time, we were separated from most our computer equipment. Not the ideal scenario when you’re in the line of business we are in….

The moral of the story – plan this well in advance and know exactly what is needed, the Spanish like their paperwork and if it’s not in order it’s an uphill struggle from there. Not many English freight companies know the correct procedures, so we’d suggest you have a look at the one or two companies who specialize in shipping to Lanzarote before you make your final decision.

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