How to ship a package from Canada to Germany

Today, packages swirl around the globe with apparent ease, but anytime a box leaves Canada, the shipper needs to be aware that it is entering a sovereign nation whose rules and customs may differ from our own, and Germany is no different. This blog helps you navigate the regulatory intricacies of shipping from Canada to Germany and reminds the reader of the key pieces of paperwork demanded by international shipments. And like life itself, taxes are an unavoidable part of shipping, so we outline the duties and taxes German customs apply to incoming goods.

Table of Contents

• German Shipping Regulations
• Paperwork
• Duties and Taxes
• Conclusion

German Shipping Regulations

Gifts are a common shipment from Canada to Germany, but there are some important regulations to be aware of before sending the parcel out.

For instance, the following goods have restricted limits:

• Coffee and its extracts
• Tobacco products and alcoholic beverages
• Perfumes and eau de toilette

When shipping foods to Germany, be advised that no more than 2 kg of the following items are allowed into the country:

• Edible mushrooms
• Baby food
• Honey

Many more rules and regulations on goods entering Germany, which Secureship offers a summary of.

Paperwork

Any shipment bound for Germany, or any other foreign country, requires paperwork, and the nature of the goods determine which documents to be included. However, every parcel requires a commercial invoice and shipping label.

Commercial invoice

A person cannot enter a country without a passport, and so too a parcel, except it requires a commercial invoice (CI). A CI itemises the goods being shipped, and their values.

Shipping label

A shipping label seems too obvious a document to mention, but if it is incomplete or incorrect, that could lead to delayed deliveries or a lost parcel. Either way, it reflects poorly on the sender and could be an unnecessary expense.

So in addition to double-checking the recipient’s address, it could be helpful to add your telephone number in the event of an issue.

Duties and Taxes

Typically, recipients pay the duties and taxes owed on imported goods, but there are occasions in which the shipper is responsible for them, and that depends on the International Commercial Terms (INCO) you are using.

Duties

Much of the goods traded between Canada and Germany are duty free or incur a very low rate. And for those that incur a duty, goods valued under 150 euros (about $250 CAD as of December 2025) will be duty free (except for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products).

Taxes

Like most of the EU, Germany has a substantially higher VAT rate than Canada - 19%, and it applies regardless of the value of the goods entering the country. So, even a small item of several dollars will be charged VAT.

Conclusion

Even shipments to a valued trade partner like Germany must abide by the country’s importation laws and may be liable to duties and taxes. Thankfully for you, Secureship’s website provides anyone free access to the important basic shipping restriction of goods shipped from Canada to Germany. A short sampling includes: limits to amount of tobacco and alcohol that can be sent as gifts; restrictions to the types of foods and quantity German customs allow in. Also, it is worth reminding readers of the importance of providing a complete shipping label and commercial invoice on all parcels bound for Germany. Finally, be aware of the duties and taxes the goods may incur that the recipient will be liable for.