Import guide
Importing into Germany
Germany is the EU's largest importer and Europe's primary logistics hub. EU customs rules apply — a single import into Germany clears the goods for the entire EU single market.
Commercial invoices require the seller and buyer's VAT IDs, the HS code (8-digit Combined Nomenclature), and country of origin.
Standard VAT
19%
Applied to (CIF + duty) at import
Importer tax ID
VAT / EORI
Required on commercial invoice
Currency
EUR
Customs valuation
Required on every Germany-bound commercial invoice
- ·EORI number required for the importer of record.
- ·VAT (USt.) at 19% standard; 7% reduced for some goods.
- ·Intra-EU shipments use Intrastat instead of customs declarations.
Common Incoterms for Germany-bound shipments
Top imported HS chapters into Germany
Aggregated from the major trade corridors feeding into Germany. Click any chapter to look up specific subheadings.
- 84Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances
- 85Electrical machinery and equipment
- 61Articles of apparel, knitted or crocheted
- 62Articles of apparel, not knitted or crocheted
- 39Plastics and articles thereof
- 30Pharmaceutical products
- 90Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, precision, medical instruments
- 87Vehicles other than railway or tramway
- 94Furniture; bedding, mattresses; lamps
- 88Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof
Major export corridors to Germany
Free sanctions screening
Before any Germany-bound shipment, screen the consignee with our free tool against OFAC, EU, UK, and UN consolidated lists. Refreshed daily.
Generate a Germany-bound customs invoice
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