EUDR: a practical guide for importing and exporting through Spain
Reviewed:
Regulation (EU) 2023/1115, known as the EUDR, requires proof that certain commodities do not come from land deforested after 31 December 2020 and were produced legally. It applies to goods entering the EU and to goods leaving it.
Legal text
Regulation (EU) 2023/1115, Article 3
Relevant commodities and relevant products shall not be placed or made available on the market or exported, unless all the following conditions are fulfilled: (a) they are deforestation-free; (b) they have been produced in accordance with the relevant legislation of the country of production; and (c) they are covered by a due diligence statement.
Products covered
The regulation covers seven commodities and the derived products listed in its Annex I: cattle (including beef and leather), cocoa and chocolate, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soya and wood, including furniture, paper and printed products.
Application dates
Regulation (EU) 2025/2650 delayed application by one year. According to the European Commission, the obligations start on 30 December 2026 for large and medium-sized operators and for all traders and downstream operators. Micro-enterprises and natural persons have until 30 June 2027, except for timber products that were already covered by the former EU Timber Regulation.
In May 2026 the Commission published a simplification package and confirmed there will be no further postponement.
Who has to do what
Whoever first places the product on the EU market, or exports it, must file a due diligence statement in the EU Information System. The system returns a reference number that has to be passed on to customers. Micro and small primary operators in low-risk countries may file a single simplified declaration.
Downstream operators and traders no longer file their own statement. They must keep the reference number of the initial operator and, unless they are SMEs, register in the Information System. Everyone has to keep supplier and customer records for five years.
Customs clearance
In-scope products released for free circulation or exported are subject to EUDR controls. The due diligence statement reference has to be available at clearance. If it is missing, or customs has doubts, the goods can be held or refused release.
How we help
Due diligence is the operator's legal obligation and we do not replace it.
What we do is coordinate transport and clearance, and check with you before shipping that the statement reference is available for the import or export declaration. That avoids holds at the port.
Ask us about your shipmentOfficial sources
General information, not legal advice. Regulations change often, so always check the current text in the official sources.