🇨🇳 China → 🇩🇪 Germany
Compliance path
China-Germany via Hamburg, Bremerhaven, or rail (China-Europe Express via Duisburg) is one of the world's busiest container lanes. EU import VAT (19% German MwSt) and CN8 tariff at EU customs entry. EU CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) reporting applies to iron/steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, electricity, and hydrogen since 2023; full carbon-price obligations phase in from 2026. Sea-freight transit Shanghai-Hamburg 30-40 days; China-Europe rail 18-22 days; air freight 4-7 days.
Commonly shipped items on this lane
1. Can I bring goods from China to Germany?
Travellers entering Germany from China are subject to Germany's personal allowances and declaration rules. The Zollkriminalamt / Zoll (German Customs — Federal Customs Administration) sets allowances for alcohol, tobacco, and personal goods. Anything above the allowance must be declared at the red channel.
- Alcohol allowance: 4 L
- Cigarette allowance: 200
- Personal-goods allowance: ~USD 540
- Cash declaration threshold: USD 11000
2. Can I post goods from China to Germany?
Parcels move through Germany's postal-customs flow. Typical transit time on this lane is 10 days. Every international parcel needs a CN22 (under ~USD 300) or CN23 (above) customs declaration. Use accurate descriptions and HS codes — vague labels are the single biggest cause of postal customs holds.
Deutsche Post DHL and customs coordinate for international parcel clearance. VAT applies to all imported goods. Items above €150 customs value require payment of customs duty. Prohibited items are seized by customs.
3. Can I import commercially from China to Germany?
Yes. Commercial importers into Germany need an importer of record, a customs declaration filed with Zollkriminalamt / Zoll (German Customs — Federal Customs Administration), a commercial invoice, a packing list, and goods classified to the appropriate HS code. Some categories (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, chemicals, weapons, art) require additional permits or certificates.
4. Duties, VAT/GST and de minimis
No FTA is in force on this lane, so MFN tariff rates apply. Germany levies 19% VAT/GST on commercial imports. Postal / courier de minimis: €150 EUR.
The EU removed the €22 VAT exemption for low-value goods on 1 July 2021. Now all imported goods regardless of value are subject to VAT when sold to EU consumers. Customs duty de minimis remains at €150 — goods above €150 may attract customs duty. VAT is collected at import or via the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) for distance sellers.
5. FTA + rules of origin
No FTA is in force on this lane. MFN tariff applies; check Zollkriminalamt / Zoll (German Customs — Federal Customs Administration)'s tariff tool for line-level rates.
6. Documents you may need
- Commercial invoice (every commercial shipment).
- Packing list.
- Transport document — air waybill (AWB) or bill of lading (B/L).
- Customs declaration (filed by importer of record or broker).
- Sector permits where applicable: phytosanitary, veterinary, medicines, telecom, weapons, art.
- Importer EORI / tax-ID where required by Germany.
7. Common problems on this route
- Undervaluation flagged at clearance, leading to revaluation and back-duty.
- Incorrect HS classification — duty rate moves up an entire tariff line.
- Missing origin documentation: FTA preference lost, MFN duty assessed.
- Vague descriptions on CN22 / CN23: parcel held pending clarification.
- Sanctions / dual-use screening for sensitive commodities.
- Biosecurity holds on food, plant, animal and wood-packaging items.
- Lithium-battery air-cargo refusal for non-compliant packaging.
8. High-risk item categories
- cosmetics commercial — restricted
- mobile phones commercial — restricted
- mobile phones commercial — restricted
- textiles commercial — restricted
Generally restricted categories into Germany:
- Firearms and weapons (Weapons Act — Waffengesetz; licence required)
- Medicines and pharmaceuticals (BfArM approval; personal use quantities only for travelers)
- Certain agricultural and food products (EU SPS rules)
- Plants and plant products (phytosanitary certificate from outside EU)
- Animals and animal products (health certificate required)
- Endangered species (CITES permit required)
9. Official sources
- Zollkriminalamt / Zoll (German Customs — Federal Customs Administration) — destination customs authority.
- General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) — origin customs authority.
- Germany country profile — full source panel and rule index.
10. Related tools
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring goods from China to Germany as a traveller?
Yes. Travellers from China entering Germany are subject to Germany's personal allowances and declaration rules. Alcohol allowance: 4 L. Cigarette allowance: 200. Personal goods allowance: ~USD 540. Declare anything above these limits at the red channel.
Can I send a parcel from China to Germany?
Yes — parcels move through Germany's postal-customs flow. Typical transit: 10 days. De minimis: €150 EUR. Always attach a CN22 or CN23 declaration with accurate description, value, and HS code.
Can I import commercially from China to Germany?
Yes. Commercial imports into Germany require an importer of record, customs declaration via Zollkriminalamt / Zoll (German Customs — Federal Customs Administration), commercial invoice, packing list, and HS-classified goods. MFN duty applies; check the destination's tariff tool for the applicable rate.
What duties and taxes apply on this lane?
Non-FTA lane: MFN tariff applies. Germany levies 19% VAT/GST on commercial imports. De minimis below €150 EUR.
Do I need a Certificate of Origin?
No agreement is in force on this lane, so a Certificate of Origin is not required for preferential duty. It is still useful for valuation and product-compliance purposes.
What is Germany's cash declaration threshold for travellers?
Travellers entering Germany must declare cash and equivalent bearer instruments above USD 11000.
What documents should I prepare?
Minimum: commercial invoice, packing list, transport document (AWB or B/L), and customs declaration. Add a Certificate of Origin if claiming FTA preference. Sensitive categories (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, dangerous goods) need sector-specific permits or certificates.
What can go wrong on this lane?
Common problems: undervaluation flagged at clearance, incorrect HS code triggering a higher duty, missing origin documentation losing the FTA preference, parcel held for vague description on CN22/CN23, sanctions / dual-use screening on certain commodities, and biosecurity holds on food / plant / animal products.
Country profiles
Reference only — not legal or customs advice. Customs rules change frequently. Always verify against the destination's customs authority before acting on any rule on this page.