Taxes and import duties for...Sending goods to Germany.

Overview of shipping goods to Germany.

When shipping goods to Germany from outside the European Union, the recipient is required to pay import duties, whether the goods are for personal or commercial use. Import duties are calculated based on the CIF (Cost, Insurance & Freight) price, which is the full value of the imported goods plus insurance and freight costs.

Customs duties and taxes for shipping goods to Germany.

Germany's import duties range from 0% (e.g., books) to 17% (e.g., Wellington Boots). Some items shipped to Germany are exempt from duties, such as laptop computers, mobile phones, digital cameras, and video games.
Certain types of goods shipped to Germany are subject to additional duties, depending on the country of origin. For example, bicycles imported from China are subject to an additional duty of 48.5% (anti-dumping).

Value Added Tax (VAT) rates for shipments to Germany.

Shipments to Germany will be subject to a Value Added Tax (VAT) of 19%, depending on the specific type of goods. For example:
Books, newspapers, and magazines are subject to a lower VAT rate of 7%. VAT is calculated on the value of the goods plus international shipping and insurance costs plus import duties (if any).
 

Minimum customs duties for shipping goods to Germany.

Germany has a minimum duty-free policy, but will waive duties and value-added tax in the following cases:

Germany calculates import duties on an FOB (Free On Board) basis (meaning the value of the goods only, excluding shipping and insurance costs). For shipments to Germany with a value not exceeding EUR150, no import duty will be charged.

Shipments to Germany with a value of EUR22 or less are exempt from Value Added Tax (VAT).

 Duties and value-added tax with a combined amount not exceeding EUR5 will be exempt.
 

Other taxes and customs fees for shipping goods to Germany.

Shipments to Germany containing tobacco and alcohol are subject to excise duty, and additional customs fees may be charged to cover necessary costs for inspection, verification, and/or testing of imported goods.

 

 

Location and contact information for the Customs Department for sending goods to Germany.

Further information regarding import declaration procedures and restrictions on shipments to Germany can be found on the German Customs website:  https://www.zoll.de/EN/Home/home_node.html

How to send something to Germany.

For shipments to Germany, SME SHIPPING provides document and parcel delivery services via DHL EXPRESS., FEDEX EXPRESS, TNT EXPRESS, Global Mail, and international sea freight services.