Importing goods and customs clearance in Germany

If you want to ship your goods to Germany then you have to get them through customs and formally import them. This article describes a number of important aspects.

Please note that if you need help, there are various parties available to support you.

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Our consultants typically charge between 3.000 and 15.000 Euro on fees for market research or a partner search, depending on the complexity and country. There is always an initial payment and they don't work on a commission basis.

Shipping your products

If you sell physical products, you need to get them delivered into Germany. Depending on the country you are in, this may be a challenge.

First of all you may have to pay import duties or settle VAT. There are certain thresholds for both of these charges, e.g. while importing in the EU you don’t have to pay import duties on any shipment worth less than € 150.

There may also be non-financial bariers, like certifications or approvals to be obtained. Especially for food, cosmetics or medicine this may be the case. Check this in advance, even before you invest in your marketing.

Convince potential distributors

A local consultant can find possible business partners, or you have identified them yourself. But how to convince them to market and sell your products or services?

For this you need an export plan with a clear strategy and sufficient financial details.

Importing goods into Germany

Importing goods into Germany involves adhering to EU customs regulations, as Germany is a member state of the European Union. Customs operations are managed by the Zollverwaltung (German Customs Administration). The English version of their website offers guidance on duties, procedures, and forms: German Customs – English.

General Import Process

Customs Declaration
- Submit an Import Declaration electronically through the ATLAS system (Automated Tariff and Local Customs Clearance System).
- Required documents include the commercial invoice, bill of lading, and packing list.
Import Duties and VAT
- Duties are calculated using the EU TARIC database (TARIC Calculator).
- VAT rates are as follows:
  - Standard rate: 19%.
  - Reduced rate: 7% for goods like food, books, and pharmaceuticals.
Additional Non-Financial Requirements
- Check the Access2Markets portal (Access2Markets) for specific import requirements, such as health, safety, and labeling rules.
Inspection and Clearance
- Goods may be inspected. Processing time is generally 1-3 days if documents are in order.
Release of Goods
- Once cleared, the goods can be transported to their destination within Germany or the EU.

Service Providers for Assistance

Dachser – dachser.com
Hellmann Worldwide Logistics – hellmann.com
Gebrüder Weiss – gw-world.com
Schenker Deutschland AG – dbschenker.com
Alpha Customs Services – alpha-customs.de

Importing Small Parcels

For small parcels, major couriers like DHL, UPS, FedEx, and Hermes operate in Germany. Typical shipping costs for a 2kg parcel:

From the USA: €25-€50.
From China: €15-€30 for economy services.

Express options (3-5 days) are available at higher rates. Rates vary by provider, so consult their websites for detailed pricing.

Get funding from banks & investors

Entering a new market is an investment. Finding partners, contracts, translations and marketing costs money and you may need additional working capital.

Only with a good plan with enough financial data you can convince banks and investors to fund you. We help you with the complete business case and documentation.

Frequently asked questions

How to find an importer in Germany for your product?

The best way to find an importer in Germany is to understand the sales channel for your product, and what parties are involved. Then find the right importers or wholesalers at the beginning of that chain. Before starting to push your product, approach a number of them to ask what they need. This way you can position your product better before you reach out to a broader group.

How to find a web shop for your product in Germany?

First check whether your product normally is sold through web shops in Germany or that other distribution structures are more common. Then determine the characteristics of your ideal web shop, and find a number of these, or outsource this search. When you approach the first few, you will learn what they find important and who your competitors are.

How to convince an importer in Germany to work with you?

As in any country, convincing an importer or wholesaler to put your product in his assortment is difficult. Importers in Germany look at the rotation of the product, how easy and often they can sell it, and multiply this with the margin they can make on it. The result should be higher than they earn now from any competing product. Only if you have proper sales data, for example from other countries, they will engage in a discussion with you.