Border Facilities

Certain goods and animals pose risks to human health, animal health, plant health, animal welfare, or the environment, requiring them to undergo specific controls upon entry into the European Union and before being released for free circulation. Additionally, commercial and industrial quality controls are established for certain goods.

These controls are carried out by the Border Inspection Services (SIF).

The effectiveness, efficiency, and agility of these controls, while avoiding unnecessary obstacles for economic operators, are critical elements of port and commercial competitiveness, especially when compared to nearby ports in other EU states with similar logistical costs to the final transportation destination.

To this end, ports have Border Control Facilities for Goods (IFCM) and Border Control Posts (PCF), which are constructed and managed by Public Authorities. These facilities are where the SIF conducts the aforementioned border controls.

Given the competitive importance of these controls, Puertos del Estado and Public Authorities contribute not only through the provision and management of control facilities but also by digitizing the control and inspection processes.