Trade Agreement:CETA (Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement)
Guide to Sending Parcels to Germany
Germany is the economic leader amongst the nations of the European Union. It has the largest economy - over $4 trillion USD, produces and exports a wide range of goods - autos, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, computer and electrical equipment, and hosts the world's largest trade fairs.
Shipping to Germany provides a gateway to the other 27 nations of the EU, which is now easier and less expensive than ever since the signing of the Canada-EU free trade deal (CETA).
Secureship Offers Cheap Shipping Rates to Germany
Easily compare the best and cheapest shipping options to Germany
through a variety of carriers using Secureship
Secureship provides safe and affordable shipping from Canada to Germany. Whether you are an everyday shopper or a business,
you can easily save up to 50% on your international shipping costs by way of accessing our group buying power.
Shipments through Secureship come with full, easy to read tracking
information to Germany
Disclaimer
While we have made every effort to ensure that the information on this
page is accurate, Customs laws and procedures change regularly so it is
important to consult a licensed broker in Germany before shipping any
goods.
Tracking #:780123123123
Tel: 1-800-463-3339
Signed By: Pikwalia @ Residence
Feb 21, 2026
8:49 am
Hessen, HE, GER
Delivered
Feb 20, 2026
7:18 am
Berlin, BER, GER
In transit
Feb 19, 2026
9:03 pm
Bremen, BR, GER
International Clearance
Feb 19, 2026
8:14 am
Bayern, BA, GER
In transit
Feb 19, 2026
12:17 am
Toronto, ON, CA
In transit
Feb 18, 2026
4:30 pm
Ottawa, ON, CA
Pickup Scan
Types of Shipments
Not all types of shipments are created equal. Shipping a television will
require different paperwork, duties, and taxes than shipping an accounting
statement, for example.
Here is a list of the most common types of shipments:
Most documents can be shipped to Germany duty-free. There are
restrictions on what can be shipped duty-free. If you exceed these
restrictions, then tax and duty becomes payable. Some restrictions are
shown below in the table.
Document Type
Restriction
Business cards
Up to 15 only.
Cheques
Must be personalised.
Gift cards
Up to 5 only.
Greetings cards and invitations.
Must be personalised.
Stationery
Must be personalised and an appropriate amount for
non-commercial use.
For more information on restricted documents, click here.
Most personal effects can be shipped to Germany tax and duty-free if
you have owned the items for longer than 6 months.
German authorities may ask you for documents that verify the goods
belong to you.
Some examples of acceptable paperwork include receipts, warranties and
insurance documents.
UPS REQUIREMENT: When shipping personal effects
via UPS, you must use an authorized UPS Store, Mail Boxes Etc (MBE), UPS
Customer Center, or ISC approved shipper. The label must include "ISC-Personal
Effects" in the Reference Field, and "Personal Effects" must be clearly
stated on the Commercial Invoice.
Moving Temporarily
Students:
Students moving to Germany to study must be enrolled for full-time
attendance in an educational institution so that their personal
effects are duty and tax free.
Personal effects exempt from duties and taxes include:
Household goods such as shoes, clothing and linens (these items may
be new).
Educational materials (books, computers and printers).
Furniture (must be used and intended for personal use).
Non-Students:
Moving Permanently
When moving to Germany you may import your household goods free of
duties and taxes providing:
You have used those goods outside of Germany for at least 6 months.
You will continue to use them for another 12 months without lending,
selling or disposing of them.
Personal Requirements
You must be able to show to German authorities that:
1. You have given up your residence abroad, for e.g. termination of a
lease, or a statement from your employer that you are transferring to
Germany
2. You are taking up a new residence in Germany, for e.g. with a lease
agreement.
3. For at least 12 months you have been living outside of Germany.
Legitimate personal effects
The following are acceptable personal and household goods, providing
they are of a non-commercial quantity:
Household items such as furnishings, shoes, clothing, linen, and any
equipment needed for daily living.
Bicycles
Portable equipment, tools and instruments needed by an individual as
part of her or his profession or trade
The following are not allowed to enter duty-free:
Alcohol
Tobacco and tobacco products
On-portable instruments, tools and equipment used for a profession
or trade
Sample Commercial Invoice for Food, Chocolate, Candies
Ship To
Invoice
Ludwig van Beethoven Bonngasse 20 53111 Bonn Germany
Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Food Shipment - Assorted chocolate bars in their original manufacturer's packaging
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Box
Nestle Chocolate Bars in original packaging expiring May 2027 (shelf life of 6 months or longer)
CA
$20.00
Terms of Sale: None Total number of packages: 1 Reason for export:Permanent / Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $20.00 Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Samples
Commercial samples are those that can only be used for demonstration
purposes. The aim is to encourage people to place orders of the
samples, not sell them.
Samples may be shipped to Germany duty-free providing:
They are of a small number that represent the product.
They are intended for a trade fair or convention or other
exhibitions (for e.g., commercial, scientific, educational,
cultural, artistic, touristic, sporting or religious).
NOTES:
Samples for private exhibitions, for e.g. in commercial stores, are
not allowed. The easiest way to send commercial samples to Germany is with an ATA Carnet.
(See Temporary Imports for details.)
Sample Commercial Invoice for Promotional Material
Ship To
Invoice
Ludwig van Beethoven Bonngasse 20 53111 Bonn Germany
Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Promotional Material - Not for Resale
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Promotional Material: Not for Resale. Product pamphlets to hand out at trade show.
CA
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None Total number of packages: 1 Reason for export:Promotional Material Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00 Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Repairs
Shipping products to Germany for repair is a fairly simple process and
is exempt from duties and taxes under the inward processing rules of
the European Union.
Inward processing means goods from outside the EU brought into the EU
to have work done on them, such as repairs.
Items Under Warranty
As Germany and Canada have a free-trade agreement (CETA), repairs
under warranty returning from Germany to Canada are duty-free and will
not be charged GST.
Items No Longer Under Warranty
An item returning to Canada from Germany that is no longer under
warranty will be charged GST on the value of the repair and on any new
parts required to complete the repair.
Sending Product for Repair to Germany:
When sending equipment to Germany for repair, include the following
information on the parcel:
The words "REPAIR & RETURN" are stated on the commercial invoice
under General Description or Remarks.
Serial/Product number must be indicated under the Detailed
Description of Goods section on the commercial invoice.
Copy of Repair Contract included with all your export documentation.
Returning Product After Repairs are Completed:
If your product has been repaired in Canada and is being returned back
to Germany, ensure to do the following:
Write "REPAIR & RETURN" on the commercial invoice in the General
Description or Remarks section
Indicate the value of the product INCLUDING the
cost of the repair under the Detailed Description of Goods section
Include the original shipping documents or tracking number from when
the item was first exported to Germany
Be sure to write the necessary information on the commercial invoice
according to the document checklist below.
Repair Checklist
Commercial Invoice must clearly state under the General Description
or Remarks section the following: 'REPAIR & RETURN' and include the
estimated time of return.
Include repair contract with shipment.
Serial or product number and the cost of repairs should be indicated
under the Detailed Description of Goods section.
Ludwig van Beethoven Bonngasse 20 53111 Bonn Germany
Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Repair and Return - Watch being sent for repair
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Fossil Watch being sent for repair - Model E5, serial # 789456FG7E2 - Repair Cost $76.00
US
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None Total number of packages: 1 Reason for export:Warranty Repair Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00 Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Temporary Imports
Temporary importation of certain goods into Germany, without incurring
duties or taxes, is allowed for a period of up to 24 months. Make sure
to clearly indicate the return date on the commercial invoice.
Goods that are often part of a temporary import include:
Items that will be used or displayed at a fair, exhibition or event.
Scientific and professional equipment.
Commercial samples
Tools and specialised equipment required for repairing, exploring,
producing or manufacturing.
Materials and goods to be used for entertainment or during a public
exhibition such as a trade show booth
Equipment required to evaluate and test the operation of other goods
and equipment
Temporary admissions are expected to follow the rules below:
They will not be changed other than from normal wear-and-tear.
Are intended to be re-exported from Germany.
Qualifying for Duty & Tax Free Temporary Import
In order to import your goods duty and tax free into Germany, you can
pick from 1 of the 2 Temporary Import Methods listed below.
Each option has its pros and cons. Regardless, each of the following
methods requires
you to complete a Commercial Invoice (CI). More details below.
Option #
Temporary Import Method
Risk of paying Duties and taxes
1
Commercial Invoice Only (no other documentation is provided).
High - if broker cannot clear goods temporarily
2
Commercial Invoice + ATA Carnet
Very Low
1. Complete a Commercial invoice only
This is the simplest and quickest option. See example.
NOTE: You should be aware that
shipping using this method doesn't guarantee that your items will be
imported duty/tax free. Not all brokers will clear goods as
temporary imports (i.e. UPS, Fedex, DHL) nor is it a guarantee that
customs won't charge any duties and taxes.
2. CI + an ATA Carnet
This option is great for items that frequently travel in and out of
the country. It's also great because once you have an ATA Carnet, it
is accepted by 176 countries worldwide making the application
process a one-time thing.
In addition to declaring your commercial invoice as a temporary
import, you can get an ATA Carnet for the items that are of
temporary nature.
ATA Carnets are beyond the scope of this article. You can however,
contact your local chamber of commerce and they will be able to
guide you along. You can also find more information here: http://www.chamber.ca/carnet/.
In addition to the 2 options above, the following conditions must also be met in order to qualify for a duty and VAT free exemption:
The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo
no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
Stay no longer than 24 months in Germany
NOTE:
If the above conditions are not followed, duties and taxes will be
charged as though the goods have been imported permanently.
Your Customs broker can clear goods of a temporary nature (FedEx,
UPS, DHL, etc. typically CANNOT clear goods of temporary nature).
Temporary Imports Checklist
Commercial Invoice clearly stating 'Temporary Import' including the
return date or original export date. This must be written in the
General Description section. See example
The goods arrive and leave in the same condition
Stay no longer than the period listed above
Include your ATA Carnet with your shipment (if applicable)
Any above listed items
Temporary Imports Checklist
Commercial Invoice clearly stating 'Temporary Import'. This must be written
in the General Description section and the Detailed Description of Goods. (see sample)
The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no
repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
Stay no longer than the period listed above
Include your ATA Carnet with your shipment (if applicable)
Include the expected return date or the date that it was originally received
within the country (whichever applies)
Any above listed items not listed in this checklist
Ludwig van Beethoven Bonngasse 20 53111 Bonn Germany
Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment returning Jan 2027
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 box
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment
CA
$1032.00
Terms of Sale: None Total number of packages: 1 Reason for export:Temporary Imports Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1032.00 Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Permanent/Sold Goods
Occasional Shipper
If you ship occasionally to Germany (i.e. items you sold on eBay),
there isn't too much you need to do. You will need to:
Include 3 copies of the Commercial Invoice with your shipment.
Provide a detailed description of the goods on the Commercial
Invoice (in order to avoid customs delays).
NOTE: An Economic Operator Registration and
Identification (EORI) number is NOT needed if you are shipping as a private
individual.
Regular Shipper
If you regularly sell and ship goods to Germany, we recommend you
consult with a licensed customs broker in Germany. You may need to
comply with certain requirements, such as obtaining an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Permanent/Sold Goods
Ship To
Invoice
Ludwig van Beethoven Bonngasse 20 53111 Bonn Germany
Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Permanent/Sold: Parts and accessories for Canon B78n camera
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
15 Each
Camera Lenses: Canon EF 50mm, Canon EF 85mm & wide-angle lenses.
CA
$132.00
Terms of Sale: None Total number of packages: 1 Reason for export:Permanent/Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1980.00 Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Required Documents
Shipping packages internationally requires a lot of documentation. This
process alone can be confusing and time-consuming. So we’ve narrowed
down what documents you might need and ranked them based on likeliness of
being needed.
Document Type
When?
Details
Shipping Label / Bill of Lading
Always required
This is a label provided by the carrier (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.).
Always required because the carrier needs to know the parcel's
destination.
Commercial Invoice
Required for all non-document shipments
For all non-document shipments, you will require 3 copies of the
commercial invoice (to be included with your shipping labels). These
are for customs purposes and need to be included inside a document
pouch outside of the box.
When creating a shipment through the Secureship website, the
system will help you create this document automatically.
B13a
Required if value exceeds $2,000 per shipment or is a controlled
good
A B13a is required if your shipment exceeds $2000 CAD or is a
controlled good and is destined to a country other than the US, Puerto Rico, or the US
Virgin Islands
Canada has a preferential trade agreement with Germany. A COO
proves that an item has been produced, manufactured or processed in
Canada.
When an item with a COO is imported into Germany, it will
incur a reduced or zero-rated import duty.
Certificate of Insurance (COI)
Infrequently required
Shows that the shipment has been insured.
Banks may request a certificate of insurance when providing letters
of credit for the goods. Otherwise, it is generally your choice
whether to purchase insurance for the shipment.
ATA Carnet
Infrequently required
Used to avoid duties and taxes on shipments of temporary nature.
If you ship goods of temporary nature to and from a country, you
can obtain an ATA Carnet to expedite the customs clearance process
and ensure that anything of temporary nature is not charged duties
and taxes.
Banks may request a certificate of insurance when providing letters of credit for the goods. Otherwise, it is generally your choice whether to purchase insurance for the shipment.
Packing list
Infrequently required
No specific form is required, but generally includes information regarding:
The exporter, importer and transport company
Date of issue
Number of freight invoice
Type and number of packages
Contents of each package
Marks and numbers
Net weight, gross weight and measurements of each package
Prohibited & Restricted Imports
Certain goods are prohibited from entering Germany and others have
restrictions. Prohibitions and restrictions are in place to protect
children, minors and German citizens, protect the German constitution
and abide by international trade agreements.
Here's an abbreviated list of items that are prohibited or restricted
from shipping to Germany. An extensive list can be found here .
Prohibited items
Potatoes
Caviar from sturgeon
Vitamin and dietary supplements
considered to be medicinal supplements to treat diseases and
illnesses
Animal products, including milk and
cheeses
Pornographic and obscene material
Material with violent and anti-democratic messages
Material that depicts violence or disparages symbols of the German
state or government
Counterfeit items
Electric shock devices
Iron and steel products from Russia
(effective Sept 2023)
Diamonds and diamond products from Russia
(effective Jan 2024)
E-cigarette liquid (UPS cannot clear)
Restricted Items
Medicines and narcotics
Rough diamonds (a valid Kimberly
Certificate required)
Skins and products from dogs, cats and
seals
Cannabis (valid permit required from
Health Canada)
Fireworks
Works of Cultural Heritage
Weapons and ammunition
E-cigarettes and vaping products (ISC
contract required)
Tobacco products (ISC contract
required, tax stamps must be affixed in export country)
Import duty and taxes in Germany are calculated based on the sum of the
Customs Value, Insurance Amount, and Freight costs (shipping costs).
This is known as CIF.
CIF Value = Customs Value + Insurance Amount + Freight Costs
Using the CIF Value, you can predict how much duty & tax the recipient
must pay to the German government to receive their goods.
Thresholds
Some countries provide a Duty & Tax Threshold (i.e. de minimis), which
means that below a certain CIF amount, no duties or taxes are charged
on the import of that shipment.
For Germany, VAT is payable on shipments of any value - there is no de
minimis value; however, the de minimis value for duty is €150
CIF (about $242 CAD) meaning any CIF under this amount will not incur
Duty. For goods over €150 CIF, duties are calculated based on
custom tariffs.
Levies below €5 (about $8 CAD), will not be charged.
NOTE: Alcoholic beverages, perfumes, and eau
de toilette are always subject to VAT, duties, and excise taxes.
Currency
Euro (EUR) - €
TAX (VAT)
19%*
Duty Exemption (De minimis Value)
150 €**
Tax Exemption (De minimis Value)
€0 - effective July 1st, 2021
Threshold Method
CIF
Tax & Duty Calculation Method
CIF
*Reduced rate of 7% on some goods (including food and books) **Excluding alcohol, tobacco, and coffee products
You can purchase insurance
through Secureship, and it is provided by the carrier that will be transporting
your shipment.
Each carrier will charge a different amount per $100 of declared
insurance. If you indicate that you need insurance for your shipment, our
system will automatically include the insurance costs for your shipment.
Insurance is great to have in case your package is accidentally lost or
damaged by the carrier. But be careful, not everything you ship is
insurable. Worse - even if your package contains items that are insurable,
if it doesn't meet the ISTA 3A packaging standard, the insurance purchased
through the carrier would not be available to you.
Here are some items that cannot be insured by the carrier:
Personal belongings
Antiques
Artwork
Liquids (including alcohol)
Televisions
Jewellery in excess of $500
Perishable goods
Glass or Ceramic
And many more items
For more information, please see the carrier's terms and conditions.
Questions about Shipping to Germany
How long does it take to ship to Germany from Canada?
Shipping to Germany from Canada can take between 2-5 business days
through the fastest carriers available on the Secureship platform. More
economical services, such as Canada Post, can take up to 2 months to
complete the delivery.
