What is a free zone?

The meaning of the free zone is the specific geophgraphic area that is oriented to industrialization for the purpose of export. It consists of a space in the national territory where customs legislation is applied in a differentiated way or is not even applied, so that goods that come from abroad can enter and remain at the destination site without being subject to the normal tax regime .

Being a little more specific in the definition of a free zone, we could refer to what the Spanish Association of Free Zones and Warehouses refers to. According to this organization Free zones and warehouses are parts or premises of the Community customs territory, separated from the rest of it, in which all kinds of goods can be introduced, whatever the origin, quantity, nature, provenance or destination, without prejudice to the restrictions that may exist for reasons of public safety, public order or health protection.

These goods can remain in these areas for an unlimited time until the economic operator wishes to give them a specific destination. During their stay they will not be subject to rights of import, commercial policy measures or internal taxes.

How many free zones are there in Spain?

At present, there are 4 free zones in Spain, specifically in Barcelona, ​​Cádiz, Vigo and Gran Canaria.

In general, free zones carry out service, industrial, storage and commercial activities. It is necessary to differentiate between free warehouses and free zones. The former are warehouses where goods that are in progress are stored, thus avoiding their customs introduction in Spain, while free zones are usually very large territories, adjacent to ports, where a series of companies are installed to develop your activity taking advantage of these exemptions. In the case of the Canary Islands, for example, it also enjoys special tax regimes.

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