To avoid paying heavy customs duties and VAT, students should have care packages and clothes sent to them as “used personal items”. These should be addressed solely to you, as shown below.
ALL letters and packages should be sent to students at the NYU Madrid center.
Our staff will sign for packages and pick up notices and notify you of any mail. All correspondence should be addressed exactly as follows below:
Student Name (First & Last, no nicknames)
28004 Madrid
You can receive mail and packages at the residence but if you live in a homestays you should have it sent to NYU Madrid.
All packages sent from the US to the European Union, which include Spain, are taxable. Therefore, we highly recommend that you do not have packages send from home.
Spanish Postal Regulations prohibit the entry of certain items including, but not limited to:
“Coins; banknotes; currency notes (paper money); traveler’s checks; securities payable to bearer; platinum, gold or silver, manufactured or not; precious stones; jewelry; and other valuable articles except in insured Priority Mail International parcels. (…) Playing cards.”
Source: US Postal Service, Country Conditions for Mailing – Spain
Customs declarations should always say “used personal items” (enseres personales usados in Spanish) so they will not be confused with commercial merchandise for resale. Students should NOT plan on having electronic devices shipped to them as they will most likely pay heavy customs duties. In the case that you chose to have them shipped, please use DHL or FEDEX. Shipping clothes and comfort foods, appropriately labeled, is not usually a problem.
PLEASE NOTE: Students are advised to bring ALL THEIR MEDICATIONS (prescription or over-the-counter) WITH THEM IN THEIR LUGGAGE in its original packaging/containers. As the consequence of the international illegal drug trade, all medications sent through the mail undergo strict controls which may make it impossible for a student to receive them in a timely and reliable manner. Bring sufficient refills for the duration of your time abroad. Consult the pre-departure information from NYU Study Abroad regarding medications and travel abroad for further information.
TIP: Advise your family and distant relatives accordingly before they feel the urge to send you a brand-new mp3 player in its original packaging, or you may wind up paying heavy duties upon receipt.
NYU Mail Services has further information on shipping and international customs.