For shipments to non-EU countries, you need a customs declaration, which depends on the value and weight of the goods as well as whether it is a commercial or private shipment.

A commercial invoice is sufficient for shipments with a value/weight of up to €1,000 per kg. For accompanying documents with a higher value/weight, an export declaration (ABD) is required.

If the goods have no commercial value, a proforma invoice can be issued. Customs regulations may vary depending on the destination country.

Make sure that your shipment is properly addressed before dropping it off at a parcel shop or before it is picked up by the carrier. Address formats can vary depending on the destination country.

For example, imports to China require a different address format than imports to the USA.

A correct address is a prerequisite for smooth and on-time delivery of your shipment.

You can obtain a certificate of origin for your goods from your local chamber of commerce. Make sure in advance that the actual origin of the goods can be proven.

For international shipments, a certificate of origin may be required as an additional document to monitor the movement of goods and check import restrictions.

In many cases, the recipient of a shipment may also request a certificate of origin for the goods they have ordered. Which products require such a certificate can be found on the customs authority website of the destination country.

For certain products or product categories, prohibitions or restrictions may apply that must be observed before shipping.

To ship goods commercially to a non-European country, you need a business registration, an entry in the commercial register, and a free EORI number.

If the shipment originates from Germany and you are not an EU citizen, you also need a valid German residence permit.

Further information can be found on the website of the German customs authority.

When shipping goods with a value over €1,000 or a weight of more than 1,000 kg to a non-European country, you must attach the corresponding export declaration (ABD) clearly and visibly to the outside of your shipment.

For shipments from non-European countries, the appropriate customs documents must be presented when importing into Germany. The import declaration can be submitted electronically or via the customs declaration of contents.

The threshold values of €1,000 or 1,000 kg apply – just as with exports of shipments to non-European countries.

When sending a shipment as a gift, import duties from non-European countries may be waived. To qualify, the shipment must be clearly declared as a gift and must meet the following three criteria:

• It is a shipment from one private individual to another private individual
• The shipment has a maximum value of €45
• The shipment is non-commercial

If these criteria are met, the shipment is exempt from customs duties and import VAT.

If the value of the goods is between €45 and €700, a flat rate duty of 17.5% applies. If the value exceeds €700, the customs tariff rates serve as the basis for calculating import duties.

Before importing goods from outside the EU into Germany, you should check whether restrictions apply to certain products or product categories.

German customs lists the following categories and products on its website that are either prohibited from import, require notification, or need a special permit:

• Pharmaceuticals and narcotics
• Cash
• Fireworks
• Media harmful to minors or unconstitutional media
• Rough diamonds
• Cultural goods
• Food and feed
• Trademark and product piracy
• Textiles
• Animals, plants, and products derived from them
• Weapons and ammunition

Additionally, there are products and goods that are generally not permitted for import into Germany:

• Batteries and accumulators
• Works of art
• Antiques

For commercial imports, a business registration, an EORI number, and, if applicable, a residence permit are required. There may be restrictions or prohibitions for certain goods.

You can also check whether there are any restrictions or import bans for specific goods. A reliable source for this is the Access2Markets database of the European Union. For coffee, mineral oil, tobacco products, and alcohol, additional excise duties apply.

Restrictions apply to the shipment of pharmaceuticals, fireworks, cultural goods, weapons, and ammunition. Customs authorities are entitled to inspect the contents of a shipment. There are also prohibitions for certain goods such as tobacco, medicines, or explosive materials.

A detailed list of prohibited items can be obtained from our support team. Additionally, each EU member state has its own regulations regarding excise duties. It is therefore recommended to check the relevant import regulations before shipping goods to other EU countries.

With JUMiNGO, you can book rates for various carriers and ship within Europe. Some of the most well-known carriers include DHL, DPD, and UPS.

On our parcel services page, you will find a complete overview of all carriers and their available services.

Make sure to correctly address your shipment to ensure smooth shipping and customs clearance without errors. Depending on the destination country, the address format may differ from the German standard.