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I brought a ton of my usual skincare products in our checked bags when we moved.  I'd say 3 or 4 gallon ziploc bags full (divided among our seven checked bags).  Coming from the US I think you have to be pretty suspicious to be flagged by customs- I've never even seen a customs agent after passport control when arriving in Spain.  I should say that I don't know for sure if there is a limit dollar wise, but unless you plan on bringing a case or two of la mer I think you'll be fine.

@merrittkennedy

Thank you for sharing that—really good to know & assuages some of the trepidation

I’ve had concerning bringing several jars & bottles of product that I know I can’t get there.

Good idea: I’ll spread it out among the various pieces of luggage. Hahaha—it’s not La Mer

(which you can get there), just boutique brands that I adore & no where near as pricey as

La Mer.

As a skincare junkie, I stocked up on products and packed them in my luggage when we moved here. 

Here's the thing... my skin type radically changed upon moving (from Canada) to the hot and humid climate of the Costa Blanca and I had to trash many of the serums because they expired before I could use them up :-( 

It was a lot of trial and error to find new products that would benefit my skin.  Some items I had friends bring when they came to visit, but many can easily be ordered online from EU distributors.   

@rdruby699  Lol- of course.  But you get my point

I do agree with the other person who responded- my skin totally changed when I moved here, but maybe you're moving from/to similar climates.

Hello Ladies,

So nice to find this thread as I have been worrying about getting access to my products, if I am successful one day to move to Spain.

I also was worrying what to pack in my bags to get pass customs etc etc

Thanks

@Koko M

thank you—I’m coming from So. Calif, so a somewhat similar climate, although drier,

but yes, I can see where skincare needs would change, and thats good to know.

It's not so much that there is a limit, but rather a duty-free limit, and that if you're over this limit, you'll have to declare them, and depending on the mood of the customs officer, pay VAT on them.

I believe with regards to skincare products (or anything other than tobacco or alcohol) it's not so much the quantity, but the value. How much are your skincare products worth in Euro?

If they're worth over 430 Euro, you will have to declare them, and I _believe_ pay VAT (up to 21%) for them.

Based on my experience of Spain, I suspect when you offer to declare them, the Customs officer will give you a dirty look for disrupting his leisure time, and wave you on. Worst case scenario (so long as you don't pass through a 'nothing to declare' or attempt to conceil your luggage). I would start with "Hello; do I have to declare skincare products here?", without offering up just how much skincare product you have, unless asked.

@rbr33,

Thank you for that advice!

So I’ll make sure to make an attempt to declare the products—definitely

not anywhere close to 430 euros, but I just don’t want to get fined for not

declaring anything.

@rdruby699

Honesty is the best policy. I've watched enough of cusutoms and border control programs on National Geographic.

You just have to say, the goods I've got I can't buy in Spain. Just make sure you are not bringing in suitcases full because that could be seen as you are a trader. 

@SimCityAT "the goods I've got I can't buy in Spain."

I wouldn't volunteer that unless asked.

They might take it to mean that you have goods that aren't up to EU standards.