Imports and exports

What rules apply to cross-border trade? Certain import exemptions and limitations exist to protect people from dangers and to ensure compliance with international agreements. Germany has a long history as a leading exporter. But what requirements need to be followed when exporting goods? You will find relevant information and government services here.

Services:

Apply for "Authorized consignee" status for the Union transit procedure

If you regularly receive goods under the transit procedure, you can simplify the customs procedure with the "Authorized consignee" status.

Apply for a comprehensive guarantee for customs duties

If you import goods into the customs territory of the European Union and/or handle them there, you can apply for a comprehensive guarantee under certain conditions. The amount may be reduced or may not apply.

Apply for a permit to operate a customs warehouse

If you wish to operate a customs warehouse, you must submit an application.

Apply for authorization for customs declarations by entering them in the accounts

If you want to make customs declarations by writing them down in the accounts, you must apply for authorization beforehand.

Apply for authorization to use an electronic transport document (ETD) as a customs declaration

As an airline or shipping company, you can apply for a simplification of the transit procedure. With this simplification, it is possible to use an electronic transport document as a transit declaration in the Union transit procedure.

Apply for authorized consignee status in the TIR procedure

You can receive goods that are transported internationally by road using the TIR procedure as an "authorized consignee".

Apply for central customs clearance

Do you want to declare goods for a customs procedure at a centrally responsible customs office, even though the goods are located elsewhere at the time? This is possible with an authorization for central customs clearance.

Apply for deferment BIN at customs

Do you want to use a deferment account to defer payments to customs? Among other things, you will need a deferment BIN with which you can identify yourself electronically.

Apply for deferral of payment for import duties

When importing goods to Germany, the applicable customs duties and import sales taxes are always due, which generally have to be paid directly upon import. Under certain conditions, you as an importer or freight forwarder can apply for a deferment of payment.

Apply for European Technical Assessment (ETA)

If you would like to obtain a European Technical Assessment (ETA) for your construction product, you can apply to the German Institute for Building Technology (DIBt).

Apply for evaluation of mixtures containing basic substances

Do you handle mixtures containing basic substances that can be used for the manufacture of narcotics? Then you can apply to the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) for an examination to determine whether handling restrictions also apply to the mixture.

Apply for official acts subject to customs costs

If you make use of special official acts by the customs administration, you may have to pay fees and expenses.

Apply for phytosanitary certificates for export to third countries

You want to export plants to a third country? You need a phytosanitary certificate/ pre-export certificate for this?

Apply for preferential simplification

If you as a company want to prove the origin of an export product yourself, you must submit a one-off application. There is also a simplified procedure for storing primary materials with or without origin together.

Apply for reduced customs duties for goods imported for end use

If you declare non-Union goods for the end-use procedure, you can claim reduced customs duties.

Apply for status as an "authorized consignor" for the Union transit procedure

If you regularly ship dutiable goods within the European Union, you can simplify the customs procedure with the "Authorized consignor" status.

Apply for the option to tax goods with a material value of up to EUR 150 in the Import-One-Stop-Shop (IOSS)

If you import goods with a material value of up to EUR 150 into the EU as an entrepreneur, you can declare and pay tax on the resulting turnover centrally using the Import-One-Stop-Shop (IOSS) procedure.

Apply for the status of Authorized Economic Operator

As an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), you benefit from simplified customs clearance procedures. To obtain this status, you must submit an application to your main customs office.

Apply for the use of special closures

An authorization to use special seals is required for the shipment of certain goods.

Applying for "approved exhibitor" status to prove the Union status of goods

In some cases, you must provide proof of the Union status of goods. By obtaining the status of an "approved exhibitor", you can simplify the verification procedure vis-à-vis the customs authorities.

Applying for a permit to import and export protected plant and animal species

Do you want to import or export live or dead animals and plants, or parts or products with components thereof? If these fall under the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), you will need a permit.

Applying for a permit to operate custody facilities

If you want to operate a storage facility, you need a permit from the customs authorities.

Applying for a refund or remission of import duties

If you import goods into the European Union, you can have customs duties refunded or waived under certain conditions. You can submit an application to the customs authorities for this even without your own access to the ATLAS system.

Applying for an EORI number

If you are involved in activities relevant to customs law, such as the import or export of goods, you must apply for an EORI number.

Applying for authorization to manufacture and place war weapons on the market

You require a license from the Federal Government if you wish to manufacture, acquire or transfer war weapons to others.

Applying for export refunds for agricultural products from the European Union (EU)

If you export goods to third countries, you can apply for an export refund under certain conditions. The European Union (EU) has set prices for many agricultural products that...

Applying for simplifications in determining the customs value

If you import goods from third countries into Germany, you can use lump sums in certain cases to determine the customs value of the goods. You need a permit from customs for this.

As the rights holder, receive information about goods stopped by customs

If goods are stopped by customs on suspicion of counterfeiting, you will be informed of this as the rights holder.

Authorization received for the preparation of weighing certificates for bananas

If you are an economic operator and clear fresh bananas for free circulation, you can only issue the necessary weighing certificates yourself with an authorization from customs.

Company formation: Credit insurance

If you want to set up a company in Germany, you must comply with certain regulations and requirements. Here you will find information on your rights and obligations, in particular on the subject of credit insurance.

Complete an entry or exit summary declaration online

If you bring goods into or out of the customs territory of the European Union, you must submit an entry or exit summary declaration under certain conditions. You can do this via the Internet declaration, among other things.

Customs control - import bans

Despite facilitations in the clearance of goods in your personal luggage, you cannot carry all goods and products in cross-border travel without restrictions. The customs...

Customs Passport Booklet (Carnet-A.T.A.)

The A.T.A. carnet can facilitate the temporary use of certain goods in non-EU countries.

Customs procedures for imports and exports in the EU

Further information on this topic can be found on the Your Europe Portal .

Declare cross-border shipments of commercial goods to customs online via the Union transit procedure

If you are involved in customs-related trade in the EU and want to use the Union transit procedure, you must participate in the automated customs clearance system ATLAS and declare your shipment of goods to customs. You can use a customs internet platform to do this.

Declare diplomatic or consular goods to customs

If you wish to import diplomatic or consular goods free of import duties, you must declare them.

Declare goods to customs when transporting for NATO or partner forces

If you are transporting goods for NATO or partner armed forces, these can be imported into Germany duty-free under certain conditions. However, the goods must be declared to customs.

Declare postal or courier shipments up to EUR 150.00 to customs

If you want to declare goods in consignments of up to EUR 150.00 in Germany, you can use a simplified electronic customs declaration.

Declaring goods to customs when exporting via the Internet

If you export goods from Germany to a country outside the European Union (third country), you can complete the customs declaration via the Internet under certain conditions.

Declaring goods to customs when importing via the Internet

If you import goods into Germany from outside the EU, you can submit the customs declaration via the Internet.

Declaring removal goods to customs

If you are moving to the European Union from a third country, you can generally import household goods and other household effects duty-free. However, you must declare this to customs.

Disclose unaccompanied cash and/or other funds upon request in postal and freight traffic

If you transfer unaccompanied cash and/or other funds, for example in postal and freight traffic to, from or through the European Union, you must submit a disclosure declaration at the request of the customs authorities.

Disclose unaccompanied cash on entry and exit from a third country in postal and freight traffic upon request

If you transfer unaccompanied cash from a third country to or through the European Union or from the European Union to a third country, for example in postal and freight traffic, you must submit a disclosure declaration at the request of the customs authorities.

Enter or change the tax number or tax identification number in the master data for the use of the Internet Export Declaration Plus (IAA Plus)

Do you want to have your tax number or tax identification number, on which the ELSTER certificate used for registration in the Internet Export Declaration Plus (IAA Plus) is based, re-entered or changed in your EORI master data? Then you need to submit an application.

Importing goods (travel souvenirs) from non-EU countries into Germany (customs control)

You can import goods from countries outside the EU into Germany. However, there are quantity and value limits for certain goods.

Importing goods from EU countries to Germany

You can bring goods from any EU country to Germany. However, there are standard quantities for certain goods.

Licenses for imports, transit, exports and intra-Community movements in accordance with animal health and foodstuffs regulations

You must obtain a permit from the competent authority to import, transit, and in some cases export animals or goods that may be carriers of infectious agents.

Medical devices - certificate of marketability

If you want to place medical devices on the market for the first time, you can apply for a certificate of marketability of the medical device(s) for export.

Paying import or export duties in arrears

If the customs authorities determine that import or export duties were not claimed in the legally stipulated amount, you may receive an additional claim.

Products subject to excise duty

Further information on this topic can be found on the Your Europe Portal .

Receive binding origin information

To clarify the origin of a product in terms of customs law, you can apply for binding origin information.

Receive binding tariff information

To simplify the clearance of goods when importing into the European single market, you can apply for binding tariff information (BTI) in advance.

Receive information about goods stopped by customs as an interested party

If your goods are stopped on suspicion of counterfeiting, customs will inform you of the next steps.

Receive information from the customs administration

If you have general questions on all areas of customs and excise law, motor vehicle tax, financial control of illegal employment or questions about customs online applications, you can obtain information from the Central Information Office of the Customs Administration.

Register and participate in the customs IT procedures ATLAS, AES and EMCS

The IT procedures ATLAS and AES are used for electronic customs clearance. You must participate in EMCS to be able to electronically declare and process your excise goods consignments under duty suspension.

Register cash and certain other funds when crossing the border

If you are carrying cash or certain other funds amounting to EUR 10,000 or more when entering or leaving Germany, you must inform customs.

Registration in the goAML web portal

If you, as an obligated person, wish to report indications of money laundering or terrorist financing online, you must register on the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) web portal.

Request for the customs administration to stop counterfeit or infringing products

Are you concerned that goods being imported into or exported from the customs union could infringe your intellectual property rights? Then you can apply to the Central Industrial Property Office to stop these goods.

Submit an application for approval to set up a regular service

If you are a shipping company based in the EU, you can apply for a liner service for customs purposes. In liner shipping, you transport EU goods from one EU port to another EU port without the goods having to undergo customs clearance again there.

Submit an application for authorization to submit simplified customs declarations for export to non-EU countries

As the holder of an authorization for the submission of simplified customs declarations for the export of goods, you can also release the goods for the export procedure outside the opening hours of the customs office of export.

Submit an application for inward processing

Under the inward processing procedure, you can have non-Union goods processed in the customs territory of the European Union. You do not initially have to pay any duties on import.

Submit an application for outward processing

Under the outward processing procedure, you can have goods processed in third countries. You then pay reduced or no import duties on re-importation.

Submit an application for temporary importation

For non-Union goods that you import into the customs territory of the Union only temporarily and for a specific purpose, you have to pay less import duties or none at all.

Track (re-)export declarations electronically

With the "MRN status information" from customs, you can call up information about your (re-)export declarations online.

Track applications for temporary storage electronically

You can use the Internet Status Information (ISA) to call up information about your temporary custody applications online.

Tracking cross-border shipments of commercial goods within the EU via the Union transit procedure online at customs

You can use the customs Internet status information service to call up online information on goods consignments that you have posted as part of the EU-wide Union transit procedure.

VAT-free shopping in Germany as a traveler from a non-EU country

Travelers from a non-EU member state can make VAT-free purchases in Germany under certain conditions.

WHO certificate (CPP) for the export of medicinal products for human use Issued to domestic marketing authorization holders

Do you need a WHO certificate for the export of pharmaceutical products? You can apply for this from the competent authority.

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