Order glasses online to the Canary Islands 2026: taxes, delivery, returns
Updated · May 2026 · By the Gafas Canarias team
How does ordering glasses online to the Canary Islands work?
Simple, with no hidden fees if you order from a Canary retailer. From Gafas Canarias: IGIC pricing pre-applied at checkout (no surprise tax), 24-48h delivery to Tenerife/Gran Canaria/Lanzarote/Fuerteventura, own optical workshop in Tenerife for prescription lenses, 30-day no-questions returns, 2-year manufacturer warranty, free tracking. Standard sunglasses ship same day if you order before 14:00. Prescription pairs take 5-7 working days. No customs, no surprises. Browse the collection →.
What you'll learn
- Taxes: IGIC vs IVA pre-applied at checkout, no customs surprises
- Delivery times by island (Tenerife 24h, La Palma 2-3 days, Mainland 24-72h)
- Where your prescription lenses are actually fitted (spoiler: Tenerife workshop)
- 30-day no-questions return policy explained
- 2-year manufacturer warranty included with every pair
- International shipping rules (EU, UK, Switzerland)
No customs, IGIC pre-applied
This is the most common worry of first-time customers ordering from outside the Canaries: am I going to get a surprise tax bill at the door?
No. Here's how it works in practice:
When you enter your shipping address, the checkout detects whether it's in the Canary Islands or mainland Spain.
Canary address: 7% IGIC applies. Already in the displayed price.
Mainland Spain address: 21% IVA applies. Already in the displayed price.
Authorized couriers (SEUR, MRW, GLS) handle inter-island and mainland→Canarias logistics with the tax pre-paid.
No additional fees at delivery. The number you see at checkout is the number you pay.
For international destinations (other EU countries, UK, Switzerland), we apply the relevant VAT and show it clearly. For non-EU destinations, customs may apply at arrival and we send you a notification with details before dispatch.
Times and coverage by island
| Destination | Standard | Express | Free shipping over |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura | 24-48h | 24h (same-day in Tenerife) | €60 |
| La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro | 2-3 working days | 48h | €60 |
| Mainland Spain | 24-72h | 24h | €80 |
| Balearic Islands, Ceuta, Melilla | 3-5 working days | 48h | €80 |
| European Union | 3-5 working days | 2-3 days | €150 |
| UK / Switzerland / Norway | 5-7 working days | 2-3 days | Quoted at checkout |
Where it happens (and why it matters)
This is the question most people don't think to ask, but it matters: where are your prescription lenses actually cut and mounted?
Our workshop is in Tenerife. When you order prescription glasses, your lenses are cut, edged, polished and mounted by our certified opticians right here. We don't subcontract to a generic factory in Madrid or to a third-party lab.
Quality control: one team, one standard. Each pair gets inspected before dispatch.
Turnaround: no extra shipping leg. Standard prescription glasses ship in 5-7 working days.
Local accountability: if anything's off, we re-cut at no cost. No back-and-forth with anonymous warehouses.
Sunglasses without prescription don't need this — they ship same-day from our stock (Tenerife) if you order before 14:00.
Full 30-day return policy
If your glasses don't fit perfectly or you change your mind, you have 30 days from delivery to return them. No questions. No restocking fee.
Email us within 30 days. We send a prepaid return label.
Pack the glasses with the original case and any included accessories.
Drop off at any SEUR/MRW point in the Canary Islands or mainland Spain.
Refund processes in 5-7 working days from receipt at our warehouse.
Prescription glasses are also covered: if the lenses don't sit right or the fit is off, we re-cut them at no extra cost during the first 30 days. This is rare with our medida personalizada — the workshop measures pupil distance and frame height — but the option is there.
2 years, manufacturer-backed
Every pair we sell is an authorized retailer purchase with the original case, certificate, serial number and the brand's 2-year manufacturer warranty. The warranty covers manufacturing defects (broken hinges that fail under normal use, delaminated lenses, screw failures). It does not cover accidental damage or normal wear.
Should you need to claim, you bring the glasses to us and we handle the warranty exchange with the brand. No paperwork on your side.
The bottom line
Online glasses to the Canary Islands is straightforward when the retailer is local: IGIC pre-applied at checkout, 24-48h island delivery, lenses cut in Tenerife in 5-7 working days, 30-day no-questions returns and 2-year manufacturer warranty.
What people ask us most
Are there customs or extra fees from mainland Spain to the Canary Islands?
No, not for authorized couriers (SEUR, MRW, GLS) and as long as the seller manages IGIC/IVA correctly at checkout. At Gafas Canarias the price you see is the final price — no surprise charges at delivery.
How long does delivery actually take, by island?
24-48h to Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura. 2-3 working days to La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro. Mainland Spain: 24-72h. Same-day Tenerife dispatch for orders placed before 14:00.
Where are the prescription lenses fitted?
In our own optical workshop in Tenerife. We don't subcontract — every prescription pair is cut, polished and mounted by our certified opticians on the islands. Standard prescription glasses ship in 5-7 working days from order.
Can I return them if they don't fit?
Yes — 30 days, no questions asked. Free return label for the Canary Islands and mainland Spain. For prescription glasses we also re-cut the lenses at no cost during this period if the fit is off.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, to most of Europe in 3-7 working days. International customers pay the VAT applicable to their country at checkout. Customs may apply for non-EU destinations (UK, Switzerland, Norway), with notification before dispatch.
Do you provide tracking?
Yes. Every shipment gets a tracking number sent to your email within 4 working hours of dispatch. You can track in real time through the courier's website.
Is the warranty different from buying in person?
Not at all. The manufacturer's 2-year warranty applies the same way for online and in-store purchases. We send the original certificate with every pair.
What if my prescription is too complex or I'm unsure?
Email us your prescription before ordering and we'll tell you exactly which lens tier fits, whether your frame choice supports your power, and the estimated price. No commitment. WhatsApp: +34 922 666 666.
Can I use my health insurance?
Some Spanish health insurance providers (DKV, Sanitas, Adeslas) reimburse part of the cost — typically €100-300 per year. Send us the invoice we provide and submit to your insurer.
Read more
The definitive 2026 guide to sunglasses for the Canary Islands: UV index 9-11 means UV400 + polarization are non-negotiable. 12 picks by lifestyle (sea, driving, hiking), care tips and how to make ...
The definitive 2026 guide to sunglasses for the Canary Islands: UV index 9-11 means UV400 + polarization are non-negotiable. 12 picks by lifestyle (sea, driving, hiking), care tips and how to make ...