Shipping from USA to Spain

[Spainstream]

Hi all, need some wisdom.

I'm new to the Airstream community and am looking to buy 3x Airstreams 27ft+ to ship from USA to mainland Spain and was wondering about costs and legal requirements etc.

They will be converted to luxury glamping accomodation and logistically don't need to be moved much/at all.

Can anyone give me any pointers for logistics and the approximate cost?

Thanks

[Lily&Me]

I have been on here awhile, and don’t believe I’ve ever heard of anyone shipping three Airstreams to Spain.

Outside of the purchase cost and getting the trailers to a port that can ship them for you, cost of shipping would best be estimated by whatever shipping company you find.

And those would be dependent on length, weight and height, I would imagine, info you won’t have until you have purchased the trailers.

Good luck!

Maggie

[Spainstream]

Thanks Maggie, it's just hard to find any in Spain so thought the best bet was to get some from USA cheaper and pay the cargo charges. Just wanted an approximation of costs, even if someone has only transported one and how complicated he process is.

[uraljohn]

Call Airstream directly and see if there European Distributor can supply the AS's you want. May be a cost effective way to do business.

[martin300662]

Or just call Airstream Europe direct....

https://www.airstream-europe.com/

That said the USA - EU RORO ferries drop-off in Barcelona, I have used Schumacher Cargo several time to UK and the also ship USA to Spain (https://www.schumachercargo.com/es/c...-to-spain.html). Your biggest challenge is getting the unit to the port for loading.

[Spainstream]

I'm not looking for new Airstreams though, would need to be 3x 70/80's models to renovate with a decent shell and floor and seems like the USA has the best options for that (understandably).

[martin300662]

The actual cost of shipping to Europe (charged per ft, and typically around €150/ft) is not the highest cost. RORO tend to come from Newark/Baltimore so you have to get the trailers to those ports.

There is then importation duty to be paid (purchase tax based on the price paid+cost of shipping) and also then other local taxes (for example in the UK we have to pay a scrappage tax - to factor in the disposal of the vehicle at the 'end of life' @20% of purchase price and cost of shipping).

If you were planning to put them 'on the road' in EU then there are the costs of getting them registered. In the UK a trailer is not registered, but becomes part of the tow vehicle and displays the same license plate, but in many European countries trailers have to go through an extensive inspection process and things like axle's, tow hitch, electrics need to be made compliant. Plus there are strict rules on towing (tow vehicles), and driving license requirements.

There are active owners groups in EU including a Europe WBCCI region, so lots of places to get 'local' information, but the fact that approx 50% of WBCCI members have vintage trailers/50% modern shows it is not a slam dunk to import. The fact you aren't planning to put them on the road helps, because EU trailers are made to EU legislation (narrower bodies, different axle position etc).

[SilverFire]

You will need to get a quote for 3 High cube 40-foot containers and may have to deflate tires due to trailer height. You will have to ensure interior loading clearances on the trailer and container height and width are the critical factors. Some models are over 8' wide. Most sea-going containers are only 8' wide (96"/243.84 CM) high cubes just a bit over 9' tall High cubes have 9'6" exterior clearance. You will also need a customs broker. You will also need to determine if you have some form of ISF form required to import into Span to be filed before shipping. Your customs broker can handle these requirements. I would think transportation costs would be close to $12,000 to $18,000 USD. I would ship these CIF (insured).

There are some narrower Airstreams I have seen designed for the Euro market, you may have to source those configurations to make loading and unloading practical to prevent damage. Additional protective packaging likely required (vapor barrier foam panels likely most cost effective. You may find building faux airstreams more practical for your application.

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by SilverFire

You will need to get a quote for 3 High cube 40-foot containers and may have to deflate tires due to trailer height. You will have to ensure interior loading clearances on the trailer and container height and width are the critical factors. Some models are over 8' wide. Most sea-going containers are only 8' wide (96"/243.84 CM) high cubes just a bit over 9' tall High cubes have 9'6" exterior clearance. You will also need a customs broker. You will also need to determine if you have some form of ISF form required to import into Span to be filed before shipping. Your customs broker can handle these requirements. I would think transportation costs would be close to $12,000 to $18,000 USD. I would ship these CIF (insured).

There are some narrower Airstreams I have seen designed for the Euro market, you may have to source those configurations to make loading and unloading practical to prevent damage. Additional protective packaging likely required (vapor barrier foam panels likely most cost effective. You may find building faux airstreams more practical for your application.

I think you will find Euro spec trailers are/have always been special orders only available to the European distributor.