. . . . .whilst driving to my home in Portugal. The 'muggers' were the local customs guys and insisted that I add the cost of my Brittany Ferries to the total cost of my van items. This was, frankly an illegal way of extorting more money out of unsuspecting travellers. I have several witnesses that this actually happened.

I gather that there have been many threads warning folk about this, however my questions relate to the legal profession within Spain.

I have written to the customs email and they've fobbed me off with 'we spoke to the team, and this didn't happen', case closed.

My question is how to move forward. Is it straightforward and (rel) cheap to take someone to court in Spain (is there a small claims court equivalent?). How about the cost of legal advice.

Or is my best bet for some result is to use the official complaints procedure at the Port customs?

Not being a Spanish resident, I'm hoping that you guys can give me some steer here?

Thanks guys!

Jules

Do you have the paperwork for the charges??/
If so then you might be able to claim some back as long as you were moving your own goods and are becoming a resident.

BUT adding the cost of transport is legal.

I've been charged both import and IVA on car parts ordered from the UK and so have many others.
It's explained here (I have no connection with the website) it was the first one of many confirming what I put.
​​​​​​https://spainbox.com/mailboxes/duty-...european-union

I was done out of €8,000 by a gestor who did a bunk, I spoke to a local legal office and they did some quick checks for me to no avail, they said the next stage would be to take legal action through the courts and that would cost much more than what I was claiming so advised not to, The firm I asked had a number of both British and Spanish people employed and I knew some of them personally so knew they were giving good advice, and I suspect the same would happen in your case.

As has been mentioned above shipping and insurance costs on top of the goods themselves form part of the calculation for VAT and/or import duty in both Spain and Portugal.

That's not going to apply in the case of someone who's been resident for 6 years.

A new or returning resident coming from outside the EU would have to obtain the relevant paperwork, including a certificate from the embassy, prior to shipping their personal effects, in order to avoid the duties. But that would be a one-off bulk shipment / load as opposed to frequent border crossings with dribs and drabs.

Thanks all for the very useful - it sounds like its not going to be worth the candle to go down the legal route.

I'll see what an official complaint might bring (hollow laugh)

Thanks again guys - really helpful. Good to see the Spanish forum is as friendly as the Portuguese one!

Jules