In-house customs team

Customs clearance and freight forwarding in Germany

Germany is the largest import market in the European Union and the hub of our European operations. Once goods are released into free circulation in Germany, they can move across the EU single market without further customs formalities.

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Shipping to and from Germany

German Customs processes declarations electronically through ATLAS, and under EU rules every importer needs a valid EORI number. Small errors in classification, valuation or EORI data are a common reason for held shipments. We check these before the cargo leaves origin.

For shipments from Asia and the Americas, clearing in Germany is often the most efficient route into the EU. We also handle the EU's advance cargo information (ICS2) as part of our air waybill process.

Key facts for Germany

Customs clearance: In-house customs team
Customs authority: Generalzolldirektion (German Customs, "Zoll")
Framework and systems: EU Union Customs Code, ATLAS
Importer registration: an EORI number issued by German Customs
Main airports: Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC), Leipzig/Halle (LEJ), Hamburg (HAM)
Main seaports: Hamburg and Bremerhaven
Road freight: FTL, LTL and express vans from Germany to the whole of Europe, including the UK and Switzerland.
Peak and holiday periods: Christmas to New Year, Easter and regional public holidays that differ between the federal states

What we handle in Germany

Import clearance into free circulation

Declarations via ATLAS, calculation of customs duty and import VAT (Einfuhrumsatzsteuer), and release at the airport or inland.

Export declarations

Export filings and the electronic exit confirmation that supports your VAT-exempt export.

EU entry safety data

Advance cargo information for ICS2, submitted with our own air waybill.

EORI & registration support

Help with EORI registration and the data German Customs requires from first-time importers.

Air freight with own AWB

Direct air waybills from Frankfurt, Munich, Leipzig and Hamburg.

Services in Germany

Customs clearance in Germany