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Declare diplomatic or consular goods to customs

Service Description

International law provides for certain privileges and immunities for diplomats and employees of diplomatic missions abroad (consulates). The purpose of these rules is to enable the effective performance of their respective duties and to safeguard the legal autonomy of states.

In this context, goods imported into Germany are exempt from customs duties and similar charges as well as checks on personal luggage under certain conditions. Exemptions are possible, among other things, for

  • Items for the official use of the diplomatic mission or consular post,
  • items for the personal use of the diplomat or consular official

Some exemptions and regulations also apply in varying degrees to

  • Members of the administrative and technical staff,
  • members of the official domestic staff,
  • family members belonging to the household and
  • private domestic staff.

You must declare the goods during customs clearance so that customs can check the conditions for duty exemption.

Process flow

You must submit the customs declaration in writing:

  • Download the form for "Customs declaration for diplomatic or consular goods" (form 0349 or 0349en) from the website of the Federal Finance Administration.
  • Complete the form in full and then print it out.
  • It must be stamped with the official stamp.
  • Hand in the printed and completed customs declaration to customs clearance.
  • The customs officials will carry out a preliminary check to determine whether the declaration can be accepted.
  • This may be followed by further checks, for example an inspection of the goods.
  • If the check is successful, the goods will be released to you and you will receive a copy of the customs declaration.

Requirements

  • These are diplomatic or consular goods within the meaning of customs law.
  • There is reciprocity, i.e. the exemption from import duties also applies vice versa between Germany and the respective country.

Which documents are required?

As a rule, you do not need to submit any additional documents.

What are the fees?

You can make the customs declaration free of charge.

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

  • The goods may not be used for any other purpose.
  • The competent supervising customs office can provide you with information on exceptions.

Processing duration

  • usually 30 to 60 minutes

Legal basis

Applications / forms

  • Contradiction.
    Detailed information on how to lodge an objection can be found in the tax assessment notice for your application for import duty exemption as diplomatic and consular goods if a customs debt is incurred.

Appeal

Forms: yes

Online procedure possible: no

Written form required: yes

Personal appearance required: no

Further Information

Author

Forwarding service: Deep link to the original portal

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Technically approved by

Federal Ministry of Finance

Professionally released on

07.05.2021

Source: Zuständigkeitsfinder Thüringen (Linie6PLus)

Competent Authority

Hauptzollamt Berlin, Zentralstelle Diplomaten

Address
Kufsteiner Straße 71-79
10825 Berlin, Stadt
Remark: Only for employees of diplomatic and consular missions

Postal address
Post office box 61 02 74
10924 Berlin, Stadt
Telephone
+49 30 850001-0
Fax
+49 30 850001-30
E-Mail
Contact us
DE-Mail
za-schoeneberg@zoll.de-mail.de
Opening times

Telephone consultation hours:

Monday to Friday: 08:00 to 15:00

Further Authorities