Moving Goods List (Inventory)

September 1, 2026

What really matters in your inventory — and why the requirements depend on where you are moving from and to A detailed and properly structured moving goods list (Spanish: inventario) is the centerpiece of any customs clearance for international moves. It serves as proof to the authorities that these are personal relocation goods. What it cannot do: prevent an inspection. Whether a container is inspected is decided by the authorities using a risk filter — this can happen even with 100% correct paperwork. What your list determines is how that inspection turns out: whether the contents can be verified in a short time and the container continues on its way, or whether it has to be unpacked, which takes time and becomes expensive. And: what the list needs to look like in detail depends on where you are moving from and to. Customs and Import Duties Here it pays to keep two things separate that are often lumped together. Customs: For every shipment, we prepare the necessary customs document. This means your moving goods are free of customs duties — you don’t have to worry about that, it’s our job. Import Taxes: This is a second, separate question. Whether your household goods can be imported tax-free as relocation goods depends on your personal situation — and it is different for every client. Exactly for this reason, we go through this individually with each customer before anything is loaded. In principle, these criteria apply to tax exemption: Six-Month Rule: All listed items must have been in your personal possession and used by you for at least six months prior to the move. Maintenance of Use: As a general rule, the imported goods may not be sold, lent, or rented for 12 months after import. Change of Residence: You must be able to prove the change of your main residence. The Structure of the Perfect Inventory The list should be set up as a clear table and always be bilingual — in the language of the country of origin and the official language of the destination country (e.g., English/Spanish). Document Header Data: Each sheet of the inventory list must contain your master data: name (as in passport), passport number / N.I.E., as well as the old and the new address. One Declaration Instead of a Hundred Repetitions: You do not need to write “used” behind every single item. Instead, place this sentence once above the table: “All listed items have been in my personal possession and use for at least 6 months. · Todos los bienes relacionados se encuentran desde hace al menos 6 meses en mi posesión y uso personal.” In our template, it is already in the right place. Numbering of Packages: Number all packages consecutively — 1, 2, 3… up to the last piece. Boxes and furniture are not counted separately, but run in a single number sequence. Apply the number clearly visible on at least two sides of every box; furniture and loose parts receive a label with the same number. Concrete Declaration: Right and Wrong Vague collective terms do not trigger an inspection; a container is selected via a risk filter, which is a matter of chance and not fault. But if it hits your container, the description decides everything: the officials must be able to trace the content at a glance. If it says “Miscellaneous” or “Stuff”, it gets unpacked. Incorrect Entry Correct Entry “Stuff” / “Miscellaneous” Clothing, shoes, books “Kitchenware” Crockery, cutlery, pots “Electronics” TV, laptop, printer Sample Table Structure No. Description (English) Descripción (español) 1 Men’s clothing Ropa de hombre 2 Small kitchen appliances Electrodomésticos pequeños de cocina 3 TV set Televisor 4 Wardrobe (disassembled) Armario (desmontado) Special Provisions by Item Type Electronics: Name each device individually — television, laptop, monitor, printer, camera — instead of grouping them under “Electronics”. Manufacturer, model, and serial number do not need to be specified for your move between England and the Canary Islands. Should something additional be necessary in your case, we will let you know in good time. Furniture: Please mark disassembled furniture as “disassembled”. Remember that this results in more packages: instead of one wardrobe, you then have five pieces of a disassembled wardrobe — and each part gets its own number and its own line. Vehicles & Motorcycles: Vehicles (cars, motorcycles, trailers) do not belong on the normal household goods packing list. Separate import and customs procedures with their own vehicle documents, certificate of conformity (COC), and deregistration certificate apply to them. Important: Your vehicle does not travel under the tax exemption for your moving goods — not even when traveling in the same container. Vehicles have their own requirements and duties. What to expect in your case is clarified individually with you. Please talk to us about this early on. What NEVER Belongs on the Moving Goods List — and Not in the Shipment Some goods not only do not belong on the list, they must not enter the container at all. If found without authorization, confiscation and high fines threaten: Food & Drinks: Canned goods, unopened packages, spices, or alcohol are subject to special excise duty regulations and veterinary controls. Plants, Seeds & Soil: To protect the native flora, strict phytosanitary import bans apply in many countries (especially on islands like the Canary Islands). Dangerous Goods: Gas cylinders, lighters, paints, varnishes, cleaning chemicals, or high-power lithium-ion batteries (e.g., from e-scooters) often cannot be carried for safety reasons. Tobacco & Medications: They are subject to tobacco tax and drug laws respectively and cannot be declared lump-sum as moving goods. Checklist Before Final Shipment Mark Packages: Apply the consecutive numbers clearly visible on all boxes and furniture parts. Do Not Enter Values: Your list belongs only number and description — no prices. We clarify and declare the total value of your moving goods separately with you. And transport insurance is yet another matter, with its own sum. We discuss both with you before loading. Autograph Signature: Sign the list at the end with

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Air Freight vs. Sea Freight: When does each transport type make sense?

July 14, 2026

The decision between air and sea freight in an international move or a worldwide special transport is one of the central logistical questions that significantly shapes the entire course of your project. Since intercontinental distances must be bridged and every country has its own, often complex customs and import regulations, transport planning requires special strategic foresight. There is no general “right” or “wrong” here: both transport routes have their absolute justification in global logistics and often complement each other perfectly in practice. While sea freight serves as a reliable foundation for large volumes on the world’s oceans, air freight offers an exclusive express solution across continents for the bare essentials. The ideal choice depends entirely individually on how your personal priorities are set with regard to the desired time frame, budget planning, and the specific requirements of your freight. For long distances, it is often even the clever combination of both variants that makes the start at the new destination the most relaxed. Here is a detailed comparison that will help you find the optimal balance for your project worldwide and get your goods smoothly to their destination. Sea freight: The reliable route for volume and weight Shipping in a sea container is the absolute standard route for emigrants and long-term vacationers. Goods are brought safely across the Atlantic either in their own container (FCL – Full Container Load) or as partial load in a consolidated container (LCL – Less than Container Load). Cost and space efficiency: The sea route fully demonstrates its strengths when it comes to large, heavy, or bulky goods. Calculation based purely on volume makes it possible to transport entire households economically. Maximum flexibility for cargo: From the complete fitted kitchen to the living room sofa to the motorcycle or car, almost anything can be loaded. Even items with special requirements (such as certain batteries or liquids) are well accommodated on the ship with the correct declaration. Foresighted planning: Transport across the ocean and the subsequent island customs clearance naturally require a certain time frame. Those who plan for 3 to 6 weeks of transit time here can organize their move in advance in a completely relaxed manner. Air freight: The premium solution for urgent and valuable items Transport in a cargo aircraft is the more exclusive option for selected goods where quick availability is the top priority. Maximum speed: When time is pressing, the airplane is unbeatable. The pure transport time is very short. You will usually have your freight in your hands after just 3 to 7 days. Gentle journey: The climatic conditions in the aircraft cabin are very stable, and the extremely short transport duration protects sensitive materials. Strict safety standards (IATA): Aviation is subject to the highest international safety requirements. This guarantees maximum security for your freight, but also means that certain everyday items (such as powerful batteries from e-bikes or flammable cosmetics) are better and more easily accommodated in a sea container. Value-based calculation: Since space in the air is strictly limited, billing is based on the so-called “volumetric weight”. This premium logistics is therefore preferred for extremely valuable, compact, or vital things. Ideal for important original documents, special electronics, artworks, or urgent spare parts. Conclusion: Your tailor-made path to the destination with Phoenix Trans Internacional Whether you ultimately decide on high-volume and economical sea freight, rapid air freight, or an intelligent combination of both: an international transport requires experience, precision, and a reliable global network. We at Phoenix Trans Internacional are by your side as a competent partner in making this important decision. We analyze your individual needs, advise you transparently on the best transport route, and handle the entire complex customs clearance for you. With our tailor-made logistics solutions and our decades of experience, we ensure that your belongings – from a complete household to a sensitive single item – arrive safely, punctually, and completely stress-free at your new worldwide destination.

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Special transports to the Canary Islands: How pianos, Harleys, and Co. arrive safely in the south

July 2, 2026

Shipping standard household goods in moving boxes to the Canary Islands is an everyday job. Things get complicated when special items or vehicles are to be transported across the Atlantic. A fine grand piano or a heavy Harley-Davidson cannot withstand the rough sea voyage without special precautions, nor does the Canarian customs authority forgive bureaucratic errors. For tax purposes, the islands do not belong to the standard EU customs territory. Therefore, logistical and legal hurdles lurk here that must be known in advance. Transporting pianos and grand pianos: Climate shock and species protection A piano consists almost entirely of natural materials that are extremely sensitive to fluctuations in humidity. When transporting it to the archipelago, two completely different problems must be solved: the physical climate and international law. Protection from the Atlantic air During the weeks-long journey in a sea container, the instrument is exposed to massive temperature fluctuations and extremely high humidity. Once on the islands, the weather changes depending on the place of residence: from salty, humid coastal air to extreme dryness during Calima weather conditions in the hinterland. The instrument should be specially packed so that no problems arise inside the container. After being set up in its new home, the piano should remain untouched for at least two months. The wood works and adapts to the new environment. Anyone who orders the piano tuner too early is wasting money – the instrument will immediately go out of tune again. The ivory certificate Especially with older, high-quality pianos or grand pianos (often built before 1975), the coverings of the white keys are made of real ivory. This is where the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) applies. Since the Canary Islands are considered a third country for customs purposes, the freight is strictly controlled upon import at the ports of Las Palmas or Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Anyone who imports a piano with ivory keys without the correct documents risks the immediate confiscation of the entire instrument on suspicion of illegal ivory trading. The solution: Simply leave the paperwork to the experts. We at Phoenix Trans Internacional are very familiar with the strict CITES guidelines and customs regulations. We know exactly which certificates and proofs are required and ensure that your valuable instrument arrives absolutely legally and safely on the islands. Motorcycle transport: Securing at sea and Spanish registration A Harley-Davidson or a comparable custom bike does not travel on its side stand. Strict safety regulations for dangerous goods (IMDG Code) apply to the sea route. Loading into the container It can get rough on the Atlantic. The motorcycle should be well packed and secured for the crossing. The machine is secured with straps in such a way that it cannot bounce independently and break loose in heavy seas. Safety requirement: For fire safety reasons, the tank must be emptied to a minimum, the battery disconnected, and the terminals insulated. Customs and the infamous ITV inspection Importing a vehicle to the Canary Islands inevitably entails bureaucratic processes. Anyone living permanently on the islands must re-register the motorcycle. Every vehicle must be declared to Canarian customs via the Documento Único Administrativo (DUA). Those who wish to officially relocate their primary residence to the Canary Islands may, under certain circumstances, import the motorcycle tax-free as moving goods (Franquicia por traslado de residencia). Various conditions must be met for this. After customs clearance, there is a maximum period of 30 days to register for Spanish license plates. A full inspection by the Spanish MOT (ITV) is absolutely necessary for this. Important for Harley riders: Spanish inspectors are extremely strict regarding modifications. Non-original exhaust systems, different handlebars, or custom parts may have to be entered into the Spanish vehicle documents with great bureaucratic effort. Whether it’s a sensitive instrument or a heavy custom bike: For demanding special transports to the Canary Islands, Phoenix Trans Internacional is your customized solution. With decades of experience with island customs, the appropriate special equipment, and the know-how for sensitive freight, we ensure that your most valuable possessions arrive completely stress-free and safely in their new home in the south.

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Safely Packed: Pro Tips for Glass, Art, and Electronics on the High Seas

May 3, 2026

Anyone preparing their belongings for transport to the Canary Islands faces a unique challenge. The sea route involves movement, temperature fluctuations, and multiple handlings. To ensure your most valuable items arrive undamaged, using the right technique is essential. In this article, we share our professional experience to ensure that glass, art, and electronics travel safely in the container. 1. Glass and Porcelain: The Art of Padding Glass is fragile, but with the right layering, it remains well secured. Important: Wrap each piece individually in tissue paper or bubble wrap. Plates should never be placed flat, but always upright in the box – this distributes the pressure much better. Tip: Fill all hollow spaces in the box completely with packing material. Nothing should be able to move when the box is lightly shaken. 2. Art and Paintings: Protection against Pressure and Moisture Artworks are sensitive to external influences. Packaging: Use special picture boxes or build a protective layer from sturdy double-wall cardboard. The corners should be additionally secured with corner protection profiles. Caution: Avoid direct contact between bubble wrap and oil paintings, as this can leave marks. Instead, use acid-free wrapping paper as the first layer. 3. Electronics: Avoiding Statics and Shocks Flat screens and computers are highly sensitive to vibrations. Original Packaging: If possible, always use the original packaging with the matching polystyrene inserts. Alternative: If this is no longer available, wrap the devices in anti-static film and use extremely thick layers of padding. Screens must always be transported upright – never lay TV sets down flat. Important: Due to the risk of fire, many shipping lines no longer accept lithium batteries (such as those from e-bikes, e-scooters, or power banks) in the container. These must be declared in advance or transported via hand luggage. A move across the ocean is not comparable to a move within the neighbourhood. The load must be secured in the container so that it remains stable even in rough seas. Professional packaging is the best insurance for your property. Tip: We at Phoenix know exactly what matters when it comes to stowing your goods. We ensure that your cargo arrives safely. Conclusion: With a little patience and the right material, the sea route is absolutely safe for your treasures. Do you want to bring your belongings to the island stress-free? Phoenix Trans Internacional accompanies your move with expertise and care – from safe packing to arrival at your new home in the Canary Islands.

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Your Car to the Canary Islands: Transport, Customs and the Spanish License Plate

April 15, 2026

Anyone moving to the Canary Islands or spending an extended period here often doesn’t want to be without their own vehicle. However, the process usually raises many questions: How does the car get to the island? What happens at customs? And why is the Spanish ITV so crucial? In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about importing a vehicle. 1. Transport: From domicile, via the port to the destination The journey to the Canary Islands inevitably involves crossing the sea. But even before that, we ensure a worry-free transport from the vehicle’s location to the respective departure port. Shipping: After transport to the port, the vehicle is safely loaded onto the ship and begins its journey to the Canary Islands. Destination ports: Arrival usually takes place at the large terminals of the islands, such as Las Palmas de Gran Canaria or Santa Cruz de Tenerife. 2. Customs clearance: The infamous DUA Since the Canary Islands are a special fiscal zone, every imported vehicle must clear customs. This involves creating the so-called DUA (Documento Único Administrativo). Important: If you officially move your residence to the Canary Islands, you may be exempt from import tax (IGIC) and potentially registration tax under certain conditions. We help you meet all the necessary deadlines! 3. Registration and the ITV (The Spanish MOT) This is the stage where most private individuals struggle. Before you can receive Spanish plates, the vehicle must pass the ITV (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos). This process requires bureaucratic handling in advance. Why the ITV is so important: Without a passed ITV inspection, there is no Spanish registration. Not only is the technical condition checked, but also whether the vehicle complies with Spanish standards (e.g., Certificate of Conformity/COC paper). Tip: We handle the entire appointment process at the ITV. This saves you time, spares your nerves, and guarantees a smooth process. 4. The Finale: Spanish license plates After customs and the ITV, we handle the formalities at the Tráfico (Traffic Department) and the Town Hall (road tax). Only then can the plates be swapped. Conclusion: Bringing a car to the Canary Islands isn’t rocket science if you know the bureaucratic hurdles. Want to register your vehicle stress-free? Phoenix Trans Internacional handles the entire process for you – from transport to the finished license plates on the Canary Islands.

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