Sending merchandise between Spain and the rest of Europe by road requires a series of mandatory documents. Having the documentation in order avoids delays, fines and problems in transit.
In this practical guide we detail what documents do you need according to the route, how to fill them out and what mistakes to avoid.
Mandatory documents for international road transport
| Document | Mandatory | Who issues it |
|---|---|---|
| CMR (International Waybill) | Yes, always | Shipper or transportation agency |
| Commercial invoice | Yes | Exporting company |
| Packing list | Recommended | Shipper |
| Certificate of origin | According to destination | Chamber of Commerce |
| ADR (goods peligrosas) | Solo si aplica | Expedidor certificado |
| T1/T2 (transito aduanero) | Solo paises no UE | customs agent |
What is the CMR and how to fill it out?
The CMR (Convention relative au contrat de transport international de Marchandises par Route) is the document that certifies the international road transport contract. It is mandatory in all shipments between countries that have signed the CMR Convention (practically all of Europe).
Data that must be included:
- Name and address of the shipper, carrier and recipient
- Pickup location and date
- Delivery location
- Description of the merchandise (nature, gross weight, number of packages)
- Shipper's instructions on customs and insurance
- Agreed delivery time
Importante: The CMR is issued in 3 copies: one for the shipper, one for the carrier and one for the recipient.
e-CMR: the electronic consignment note
Since 2017, the e-CMR allows you to manage the consignment note digitally. Spain, France, Germany and other countries already accept it. Advantages:
- Eliminacion de papel y errores de transcripcion
- Real-time shipment traceability
- Digital signature of the sender, carrier and recipient
- Immediate access to documentation from any device
Documentation by route: Spain to Europe
| Route | Documents | Notas |
|---|---|---|
| Spain → France | CMR + Factura + Packing list | No customs (EU). Term: 1-2 days |
| Spain → Germany | CMR + Factura + Packing list | No customs (EU). Term: 2-3 days |
| Spain → Portugal | CMR + Factura | Open border. Term: 1 day |
| Spain → Italy | CMR + Factura + Packing list | No customs (EU). Term: 3-4 days |
| Espana → Reino Unido | CMR + Factura + DUA + T1 | Post-Brexit customs. Term: 3-5 days |
| Spain → Marruecos | CMR + Factura + DUA + Certificado origen | Customs. Term: 3-5 days |
Common mistakes in documentation
- Incomplete CMR: forget the gross weight or the detailed description of the merchandise.
- Invoice without Incoterm: Failure to specify who pays for transportation can lead to disputes.
- Packing list that does not match: Discrepancies between the packing list and the actual cargo cause delays in transit.
- No declarar ADR: Transporting dangerous goods without ADR documentation is a serious offence.
Preguntas frecuentes
Do I need customs to ship to France?
No. France is EU, there are no customs. You only need CMR, commercial invoice and packing list.
Who prepares the CMR?
Normally the transportation agency or the shipper. At Transvolando we take care of all the documentation.
What happens if I am missing a document at the border?
Within the EU there are no routine border controls, but there are random inspections. Outside the EU (UK, Morocco), cargo is held until documentation is completed.
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Do you ship to Europe regularly? We manage all the documentation for you.
Frequently Asked Questions about B2B International Transport Documentation
What documentation does a business need to export non-EU in 2026?
Mandatory non-EU documentation: 1) Detailed commercial invoice with intra-Community VAT or EORI. 2) Packing list per parcel. 3) Export SAD (54 boxes, managed by customs broker). 4) Certificate of origin (Chamber of Commerce) if tariff preference applies. 5) Road CMR or air AWB or sea B/L. 6) Health certificates (food, pharma). 7) Export licence if dual-use. Without paperwork: 7-30 days hold + €200-2,000 fine.
What is the difference between intra-EU and non-EU export in paperwork?
Comparison: 1) Intra-EU (Spain to another EU state): NO SAD needed. Yes: invoice, intra-Community VAT, CMR, packing list, quarterly Form 349, Intrastat if volume above €400K/year. 2) Non-EU (Spain to UK/Switzerland/Morocco/Asia): ALL intra-EU paperwork + SAD + certificate of origin + specific licences. Customs clearance time: intra-EU immediate, non-EU 2-24h. Non-EU extra cost: €80-200/shipment in customs management.
Who is responsible for customs paperwork errors and what consequences are there?
Liability split: 1) Shipper (seller): provides correct cargo, value and origin information. 2) Customs broker: completes SAD correctly. 3) Carrier: presents paperwork at customs without tampering. Common errors: wrong TARIC code (100% surcharge on difference), misdeclared value (50-200% fine), misdeclared origin (loses preference). To avoid: AEO broker + pre-shipment document audit + mandatory 5-year retention.
How do I verify the correct TARIC code for my cargo?
TARIC = Integrated Community Tariff, 10 digits. Procedure: 1) Check official BOE at taric.aeat.es. 2) BTI (Binding Tariff Information) — binding for 3 years, free. 3) Customs advisor recommended for complex cargo. The same product may have different TARIC by material composition. Importance: TARIC sets tariff + taxes + restrictions. Wrong TARIC = surcharge + penalty. For regular businesses: BTI per main product avoids risks.
How do I digitalise customs paperwork with e-CMR and e-invoicing?
Digitalisation roadmap: 1) Activate e-CMR (Digital Convention signed Spain 2023) — operational intra-EU. 2) Implement B2B e-invoicing (Crea y Crece Law — mandatory for businesses above €8M from July 2026). 3) eIDAS electronic signature to validate documents. 4) EDI platform with client and customs. Benefits: -70% documentary errors, -50% clearance time, Tax Agency compliance. Investment: €5-30K implementation + ERP integration.
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