Moving to a new country is exciting, but it also requires a lot of preparation, paperwork, and planning! If you are relocating to Germany, read on for customs information and helpful tips on the required documents, regulations and restrictions for importing goods into your new home country!
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY
When relocating to a new country, there are
important documents necessary to gain entry and establish permanent residency. When planning your international move, enlisting customs brokering services from your international moving company can ensure that you have all required paperwork to clear customs and successfully relocate to Germany.
When moving to Germany, you will need:
- Copy of Passport (with photo) and copy of Visa and/or Work Permit issued by local employment office (for foreign citizens only)
- Statement of Transfer from employer (in German if possible) should state the shipper was an employee for the company abroad, how long he/she has lived in this certain country, and will remain an employee of the company in Germany
- Residence Visa (not needed for German nationals) or Residence Permit (granted only after a Work Permit has been issued)
- Inventory (original) in German or English, valued, dated and signed by the Customer
- Signed declaration, stating the imported goods are the owner's personal effects
- Customer's declaration that no taxable high value goods (such as alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea, guns, etc.) are in shipment. Such goods must be listed separately and will be taxed.
- Signed declaration, stating imported goods are not subject to any customs restrictions (e.g. drugs, weapons, etc.)
- Certificate of Registration with the German police (Polizeiliche Anmeldung)
- Certificate of Registration (Anmeldebestaetigung) from the local registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt)
- German nationals need a declaration from German Embassy or Consulate confirming their length of stay abroad and exact destination address in Germany. Without this document, shipment will not clear Customs.
- German Customs Form 0350 (Zollantrag) in triplicate, stating goods will not be sold for one year
- Health Certificate may be required
- Copy of Insurance Certificate
- Customs clearance Power of Attorney Form authorizing Destination Agent to act on behalf of the customer in liaison with Customs
- Foreign diplomats need a Certificate from the Embassy or Consulate
SHIPPING REGULATIONS
If you are moving to Germany permanently and have lived outside the European Union for the previous 12 months, you may import both personal effects (clothing, jewelry, toiletries) and household effects (furniture, rugs, linens, bedding, dishes, other furnishings) free of duty and tax if:
- You are present when your goods clear customs
-
You have owned the goods over six months and they will not be sold for a minimum of one year
- Goods are imported within one year of taking up residence; if not, reasons needed for delay - maximum limit three years
- Requirements for inheritance Items
- Death Certificate
- Erbschein or an official document which certifies you have inherited the items from the deceased and states your relationship
-
Wedding Trousseaux
- Marriage Certificate
- If household goods are imported before the marriage, proof must be furnished the marriage will take place within two months
PROHIBITED ITEMS
In Germany, the following articles are prohibited for importation under any circumstances:
- Explosives
- Ammunition
- Drugs and narcotics
- Any protected animal or species, dried plant or items of historical significance (ivory, snakeskin, leopard fur, pre-Colombian items, etc.)
- Pornographic material
- Certain types of meat
- Absinthe, methyl alcohol and pure alcohol
- Radioactive material
- Counterfeit products--pirated DVDs, fake designer wear, etc.
- Any media materials featuring unconstitutional” content--such as literature meant to incite hatred, glorifying or trivializing the Holocaust, Germany's role in World War II, and the Third Reich. Items featuring swastikas (aside from historical literature) may also be forbidden.
RESTRICTED ITEMS
Some articles require special authorization and/or the payments of duties and taxes to clear German customs. These items include, but are not limited to:
- Guns: Require a Certificate of Registration, valid passport of owner, proof of ownership, and a gun license for importation
- Duty-free if firearm has been owned for at least six months prior to importing
- Guns must be easily accessible
- Must apply for a German Ownership Permit
- List as last items on inventory, indicate model, caliber and serial number
- New items (less than six months old) require an invoice
- Alcohol
- Inventory must detail exact number and size of bottles, exact alcoholic strength in percent, and value of each bottle.
- Tobacco, tea, coffee, perfumes, etc.
- Foodstuffs in large quantities (shipping with household goods not recommended) may be subject to duties
-
Live plants (need special Import Permit)
- Electronic items such as computers, videos, stereos, etc. (must show serial number and have purchase invoice)
- Duplicate appliances or electrical equipment may be assessed high duties
- Large amounts of handicrafts
- Prescription drugs
MOTOR VEHICLE REGULATIONS
If you are planning to ship your vehicle with you for your move to Germany, you will require the assistance of international vehicle shippers with the adequate knowledge of overseas automobile shipping laws and customs regulations to transport your car for you. Your car will be admitted into Germany duty-free if you have lived abroad for over one year, have owned and used the vehicle at least six months, and you are bringing it to Germany for personal use. Your car cannot be sold for at least one year, must be inspected before licensing, and comply with German technical and environmental regulations.
You will need the following documents:
- Proof of ownership
- Car documents
- German driver's license
- Owner's passport
- Owner's police registration in Germany (polizieliche Anmeldebestatigung)
- Insurance record from country of origin
- Third-party liability insurance that begins with Customs clearance
- Declaration of Customer that no high value goods are in car
- Origin Registration and copy of title
- Commercial invoice, if new vehicle
- It is highly recommended that you inform the Destination Agent of all auto details prior to importing
PETS AND ANIMAL REGULATIONS
Your pet is your most precious cargo, so you want to ensure that he or she will pass customs clearance into Germany with no problem. To successfully cross German borders with your pet, the requirements are:
- You should be present with your pet at customs clearance
- Every pet must be identified by a microchip or a tattoo-- in case of identification with a tattoo, the tattoo must be clearly readable and applied before July 2011
- Your pet must have an identification document (pet passport) confirming the microchip, vaccinations and Health Certificate
- Health Certificate, filled out by an accredited Veterinarian, is valid for 10 days from the date in which it was issued (20 days for pets coming from non-European countries)
- Endangered species and exotic animals are prohibited
INTERNATIONAL MOVES
International moving is a complicated and intricate process, which is why it is so important to find trustworthy international movers. Before choosing an international moving company for hire, be sure to ask these important questions to ensure they are qualified for the job and to aid you in the customs process. Staying informed and always conducting a thorough background check on any potential company will prevent you from falling victim to a common moving mistake.
Need help finding international moving companies in your area? Get started here at Movers.com by simply filling out our fast and easy free quote form to receive estimates from up to seven qualified movers in your area.