CUSTOM WAREHOUSE
CUSTOMS WAREHOUSE AND FREE ZONE
A bonded warehouse is a key ally for importers and exporters. It is a space where you can store import or export merchandise with the possibility of suspending the application of certain customs and tax requirements. In other words, it is tax and tariff neutral. This allows for more efficient logistics and reduces costs.
Free Trade Zones are areas designated by the Member States with surveillance at entrances and exits, where foreign trade activities are concentrated. Here, non-Community goods can be stored indefinitely without being subject to import duties or commercial policy measures. In addition, Community goods can obtain benefits for export, under specific Community regulations.
In the Free Trade Zone regime the same actions can be applied as in the Customs Warehouse regime, but with the advantage that being located in the Free Trade Zone makes it easier for goods to be unlinked and linked to other regimes without having to move them from their current location. This saves time and resources.
Goods under this regime or considered part of it do not have a community customs status, which means that all manipulations, transformations, movements or services applied will be duty free.
We can determine that the Free Zone regime and the Customs Warehouse regime do not differ significantly in their main function. Both serve to manage your goods efficiently, but Free Trade Zones offer more flexibility. They can house goods related to various regimes, such as Free Zone, Processing, Temporary Import, Final Destination or even Community goods destined for export. This greatly facilitates management and movement between regimes is easier than in the DA.
OUR CUSTOM WAREHOUSE IN BARCELONA
To offer this service, Cargo Flores has a 5,500 m² bonded warehouse located in the 3rd Barcelona Free Trade Sub-Zone, making it a strategic point for customs in Barcelona.
THE CUSTOMS WAREHOUSING SYSTEM
This regime offers a series of advantages for companies, such as:
- Main Function: Bonded warehouses are facilities where imported goods that have not yet been cleared for local consumption are stored. Their main function is to allow for the safe storage of goods prior to customs clearance.
- Customs Control: Goods in a bonded warehouse remain under the control and jurisdiction of the country’s customs authorities. These goods must undergo customs clearance before entering the local market.
- Duties and Taxes: Goods in a bonded warehouse are not yet subject to payment of duties and taxes. The importer may defer these payments until the goods are destined for the local market.
- Usual Handling: Intended to preserve the goods, improve their presentation or prepare them for distribution or sale.
- Partial withdrawals: Partial departures and partial shipments are allowed if required.
Possibility of return or destruction of damaged goods avoiding the payment of taxes.
Unlimited period of permanence of the goods inside.
In addition, the customs warehousing regime allows the incorporation of value to the goods during the period in which they are stored, with logistical operations such as, among others:
Product classification
Inventory management
Quality control
Wrapping or packaging
Palletizing
Order preparation
DO YOU NEED A BONDED WAREHOUSE SERVICE IN SPAIN?
At Cargo Flores we offer comprehensive services for importers and exporters. We have the experience and knowledge necessary to simplify the entire process and ensure that your goods arrive at their destination efficiently.
We can perform processes such as product storage, cargo consolidation, cargo deconsolidation, tariff classification, re-labeling, labeling, packing, palletizing, re-shipment, re-export, transformation, repair, RPA, RPP, cleaning, inspection, certification, sampling, valuation, tax clearance, among others.
For more information on how we can help in your import or export process, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about our bonded warehousing service
A bonded warehouse is a space authorized by customs to store goods under customs control, without the application of customs duties and other taxes until the goods are removed or given a customs-approved treatment or use.
Free zones are Community customs areas, separated from the rest of the territory, where all types of goods arrive. During their stay under a special regime –with no limitation of permanence– they are not subject to import duties, internal taxes (VAT or excise duties) or commercial policy measures.
It can benefit your company in several ways, including:
- Flexibility: bonded warehouses allow companies to store goods for an indefinite period of time. This can be useful for companies that need time to sell or distribute their goods.
- Reduced costs: Customs duties and taxes are not paid until the goods are assigned to a definitive customs procedure. This can save companies money on import or export costs.
- Security: Goods stored in a bonded warehouse are under the control of customs authorities. This provides an additional level of security for the goods.
A private bonded warehouse is a space where only the holder can store goods. On the other hand, a non-customs warehouse is used to store non-Community goods in transit.
Bonded warehouses are part of the customs warehousing regime and allow the incorporation of value to the goods during their storage through operations.
The customs warehousing regime in Spain is applied in accordance with the provisions of Law 19/1991, of June 6, 1991, on Customs and Special Taxes.
The customs warehousing regime allows the storage of imported or exported goods in a customs warehouse without payment of customs duties and taxes until the goods are assigned to a definitive customs procedure.
