Customs Allowances for Lanzarote

Lanzarote has a rather unique status when it comes to customs and duty-free shopping. Although we are very much a part of Spain and the European Union, the Canary Islands sit outside the usual EU customs and VAT rules. What does this mean for you as a visitor? 

Quite simply, you can enjoy duty-free shopping both on your flight and here on the island, just as you would when travelling outside the EU. If you are heading home to the UK, mainland Spain, Germany, Ireland or elsewhere in Europe, it is worth knowing the allowances so you can make the most of your purchases and avoid any surprises at customs.

The Canary Islands have always had a unique tax status, going back long before Spain joined the European Union. When Spain became part of what was then the European Economic Community in 1986, the Canaries made sure to keep their own rules when it came to customs and VAT. This special arrangement is still in place today, and it’s something that shapes daily life here.

What does this mean in everyday life? Well, the Canary Islands are considered separate from the rest of Spain and the EU when it comes to customs and taxes. Instead of the usual Spanish VAT of 21%, we have our own local tax called IGIC, which is generally just 7%. There’s also no EU customs duty on goods coming into the islands. That’s one of the reasons you’ll often notice that prices for many things here are lower than on the Spanish mainland.

If you’re travelling to or from the Canary Islands, it’s good to know that flights between here and anywhere else, including mainland Spain and other EU countries, are treated as international for customs purposes. That’s why you’ll find duty-free shops at Arrecife airport and on board flights to the mainland. It often surprises visitors, especially those heading back to Spain or elsewhere in Europe, who don’t expect duty-free shopping within the EU. But here in the Canaries, the rules are a little different.

If your holiday in Lanzarote is coming to an end and you are preparing to head back to the UK, it is good to know what you can bring home with you. The UK treats the Canary Islands as outside the EU for customs purposes, so the same allowances apply as if you were returning from anywhere else outside the UK.

To help make things a little easier, here is a simple guide to what you are allowed to bring back as an adult traveller.

Tobacco: You have a few options here. You can bring back 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco. If you prefer a mix, you can split your allowance between different types, such as half the cigarette limit and half the cigar limit.

Alcohol: The allowances are quite generous, which is always welcome if you have discovered a favourite local tipple. You can bring up to 42 litres of beer, 18 litres of still wine, and either 4 litres of spirits (over 22% ABV) or 9 litres of fortified or sparkling wine, or other drinks under 22% ABV. You can mix and match between spirits and fortified wines, and beer and still wine are counted separately. It is a lovely way to take a little taste of Lanzarote home with you.

Other goods: For everything else, whether it is a bottle of local perfume, a souvenir from the market, or a special gift, you can bring up to £390 worth per person. If you have treated yourself to something extra special that goes over this amount, you will need to declare it and pay duty on the full value.

These allowances apply to each person travelling. Children under 17 do not have an alcohol or tobacco allowance. If you are travelling as a couple, you each have your own allowance, but you cannot pool them together for a single item that is over the limit.

If you think you might be a little over your allowance, it is always best to use the red channel or the red-point phone at the airport to declare your goods. Customs officers do carry out random checks, and if you are found with more than your allowance without declaring it, your items could be taken away and you may face a fine, especially for tobacco and alcohol.

This information is correct at the time of writing, but it is always a good idea to check the official government website for the latest updates before you travel.

If you are heading home from Lanzarote to mainland Spain or elsewhere in the EU, it is important to remember that duty-free limits apply. The Canary Islands sit outside the EU customs area, so your return is treated just like arriving from a country outside the EU, at least as far as customs are concerned.
Here is a quick guide to the usual EU duty-free allowances for travellers coming from Lanzarote:

For tobacco, you can bring back one of the following: 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco. Some countries do set lower limits for certain products, so if you are unsure, it is always best to check the rules for your destination before you travel.

When it comes to alcohol, you are allowed to bring back 1 litre of spirits or strong liqueurs (over 22% ABV), or 2 litres of fortified or sparkling wine, or drinks under 22% ABV. On top of that, you can also take 4 litres of still wine and 16 litres of beer.

For other goods, the general allowance is up to 430 euros in value if you are travelling by air or sea. If you are under 15, some countries set a lower limit of 150 euros. The lower threshold for land borders does not apply here, as all flights from Lanzarote are by air.

One thing that often catches people out is that the EU alcohol allowances are much less generous than those for the UK. For example, you are allowed just 1 litre of spirits compared to 4 litres if you were travelling to the UK, and only 4 litres of wine instead of 18. Many visitors from the EU are surprised by this, especially if they are used to the unlimited allowances when travelling between mainland EU countries. These unlimited allowances do not apply when travelling to or from the Canary Islands, simply because of the customs rules.

Spanish It is also worth knowing that Spanish customs officers at mainland airports do check passengers arriving from the Canary Islands. This is a well-known duty-free route, so checks are quite routine. Even though you are still within Spain, you should not assume you will avoid a customs check.

This information was correct at the time of writing but we always advise you check your government website for up to date allowances.

After you have made your way through security at Arrecife Airport, you will come across the duty-free shop in the departures area. It is always worth a browse, with shelves stocked with alcohol, tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics and sweets, all at duty-free prices. The range changes now and then, but you can usually count on finding a nice mix of familiar international names alongside some of our Lanzarote favourites.

If you are after something a little more special to take home, I always suggest trying some of Lanzarote’s own products. Our Lanzarote wines, especially those made from the Malvasia grape and grown in the volcanic hollows we call zocos, are truly unique to Lanzarote. A bottle or two from local bodegas such as El Grifo, Stratvs or La Geria makes a far more memorable souvenir than any international brand. Prices are usually very fair, often between 8 and 20 euros depending on the bodega and the vintage.

Ron Miel, the honey rum loved throughout the Canary Islands, is another of our favourites. You will find brands like Arehucas and Cocal on the shelves. It is sweet, smooth and best enjoyed chilled. A one-litre bottle is usually well under 10 euros in local supermarkets and just a little more at the airport.

There are plenty of other local treats worth looking out for too. Lanzarote is famous for its aloe vera, and you will spot a range of cosmetics and skincare products made from plants grown right here on the island. Mojo sauces, whether the spicy red picon or the milder green cilantro, are a real taste of the Canaries and come in handy jars for taking home. If you have a little space left in your bag, Flor de Lanzarote goat’s cheese and the sea salt from the Janubio salt flats also make lovely gifts or reminders of your time on the island.

You can also buy duty-free items on board many flights, but the selection is usually smaller, and prices are not always the best. If you already know what you are after, I find the airport shop usually offers a wider choice and better value.

There are some things you simply cannot take back to the UK or EU, no matter what your duty-free allowance is. If you get it wrong, you could face having your items taken away, a fine, or in rare cases, more serious trouble.

If you are thinking of bringing back some local ham, cheese or chorizo from Lanzarote, it is important to know that the UK has become much stricter about animal products since Brexit. Fresh or frozen meat, most dairy, and similar items are not allowed in your luggage, even if they are a local favourite. Things like vacuum-packed hard cheese or tinned goods are sometimes allowed, but the rules are not always clear. In reality, small amounts of well-packaged products are often overlooked, but officially, most animal-based foods are not permitted. My advice is, if you are unsure, it is best to leave it behind.

Bringing a little piece of Lanzarote home in the form of plants or seeds can be tempting, but there are rules to protect against plant diseases and pests. Live plants and seeds often need special certificates, while a small bunch of cut flowers for personal use is usually fine. Anything with soil attached is likely to cause problems at the border.

It is worth remembering that fake designer bags, watches, or pirated DVDs are not allowed back into the UK or EU. Customs do check for these, and buying them at a market does not make them legal. It is always best to stick to genuine souvenirs.

You are welcome to bring your usual medicines with you, but if they contain any controlled ingredients, make sure you have your prescription or a note from your doctor. Just bring what you need for your trip, as carrying large amounts can raise questions at customs.

Most visitors will not come across this, but it is good to know that items made from endangered species, such as some leathers, shells, corals or ivory, are not allowed without special permits. If you are tempted by a wildlife souvenir, it is best to check before you buy.

One of the pleasures of visiting Lanzarote is bringing back some of the local food and drink. The rules depend largely on where you are travelling to and how the products are packaged.

For UK-bound travellers: Sealed, commercially packaged foods with a long shelf life are generally fine in reasonable quantities. This includes mojo sauce in sealed glass jars, jams and preserves, dried herbs and spices, biscuits, chocolate, olive oil, and similar shelf-stable products. Wine and spirits should go in checked luggage, wrapped well to prevent breakage (many people use purpose-made wine sleeves or simply wrap bottles tightly in clothing). Fresh fish, raw meat, cured meats, fresh milk, and most fresh cheeses cannot be taken to the UK under current post-Brexit biosecurity rules. Hard cheeses that are vacuum-packed and shelf-stable are less likely to cause problems, but the official guidance is restrictive.

For EU-bound travellers: The situation is considerably simpler. Because the Canary Islands are part of Spain and the EU in terms of food safety and animal health regulations (the customs territory distinction does not affect this), there are no biosecurity restrictions on food moving from the Canaries to the EU mainland. You can take chorizo, cheese, fish, honey, or anything else without issue. The only limits are the general duty-free goods allowance of 430 euros in value.

Olive oil is a popular purchase and is best packed in checked luggage. Lanzarote does not produce olive oil in significant quantities, but good Canarian and Spanish olive oils are available at reasonable prices in local supermarkets. Mojo sauce is universally popular with visitors. The commercially jarred versions from brands like Guachinerfe travel well and are available at most supermarkets for a couple of euros per jar.

If you are packing wine or spirits in checked luggage, be aware that most airlines limit the alcohol content of drinks in hold baggage to 70% ABV (which covers virtually all commercial spirits) and limit the total quantity to 5 litres per passenger. Check your airline's specific policy before packing a case of wine.

If you are thinking of bringing 10,000 euros or more in cash with you, or the same amount in another currency, you will need to let customs know when you cross an international border. This applies whether you are arriving here in Lanzarote, heading back to the UK, or travelling on to another EU country.

It is not just cash that counts towards this limit. Traveller’s cheques, banker’s drafts and similar items are included as well. Customs will look at the total value of everything you are carrying, whatever the currency.

If you are travelling within the EU, including between Lanzarote and mainland Spain, you will only need to fill out a declaration if customs ask and you are carrying 10,000 euros or more. If you are travelling to or from the UK, you will need to declare this amount at the border.

If you forget to declare, it does not mean your money is illegal, but customs may hold onto it while they check things over, and you could face a penalty. The declaration process itself is simple and there is no fee or tax for doing it. The rule is there to help prevent money laundering.

It is always a good idea to hold on to your receipts, especially if you have treated yourself to something special likeelectronics, jewellery or designer items. Should customs ask about the value of your purchases, having the receipt to hand makes things much simpler. Without it, they may have to make their own estimate, which might not work out in your favour.

If you are planning to take home some Lanzarote wine, olive oil, or perhaps a bottle of mojo sauce, remember thatliquids need to go in your checked luggage unless you buy them after security in the duty-free shop. Even then, if you have a connecting flight, carrying liquids can sometimes be tricky, so it is worth checking the details below.

Keep duty-free bags sealed. If you buy liquids from the duty-free shop at Arrecife Airport, they will be placed in a sealed, tamper-evident bag with your receipt visible. Do not open this bag until you have reached your final destination and cleared customs. Opening it before that point means the contents are no longer verifiable as duty-free purchases and may be confiscated at security if you transit through another airport.

If your journey home includes a stopover on the mainland, such as flying from Lanzarote to Madrid before heading on to London, you will usually need to go through security again at your connecting airport. In these cases, duty-free liquids bought at Arrecife can sometimes be taken away unless they are in the right sealed bag with the receipt showing. Some airports are stricter than others, so if you have a connection, it is often safest to pack any duty-free alcohol in your checked suitcase.

It is also worth checking your airline’s rules about carrying alcohol in your suitcase. Most airlines allow you to pack alcohol in your checked luggage, but there are some limits. Spirits between 24% and 70% alcohol are usually capped at 5 litres per person, while wine and beer are only limited by your baggage allowance. Anything stronger than that is not allowed, though you are unlikely to come across anything quite so potent in the local shops.

It is important to remember that duty-free allowances are personal. You cannot buy extra and share it out among your group to try and stay within the limits. Customs officers are very familiar with this, and if they spot it, they will count everything as one person’s allowance, which can easily put you over the limit.

If you are not quite sure whether you are over the allowance, it is always best to declare. The red channel is there for just this reason, and the duty on small amounts over the limit is often less than you might expect. Customs officers usually appreciate honesty and treat those who declare with understanding.