VIDEO: Calculate import duty to Germany
If you inquire about the import duties to Germany before starting a trip, you will be spared unpleasant encounters with German customs. Otherwise it could happen that the imported goods could quickly become quite expensive due to post-customs clearance.
Import duty to Germany - the regulations
- There's only one good news about customs. For example, if you have bought a cell phone, a computer or even a digital camera in Asia or America, you do not have to declare them. However, German VAT is due on import.
- If you have been on vacation in a country that does not belong to the EU and want to import goods from there, you can do so duty-free up to a value of 175 euros. However, you have to prove the purchase price.
- For a goods value of up to 350 euros, a flat import duty of 13.5 percent applies.
- If the value of the goods is higher, then a different import duty is due for each product. It is also not possible to offset the allowance of 175 euros.
- If you enter Germany, do not declare your goods immediately and you are caught by customs, you have to pay twice the determined import duty as a penalty.
Import regulations in Germany - you should pay attention to this
For example, if you return to Germany from a vacation abroad, ...
Some examples regarding the import duty
- The import duty to Germany from countries that do not belong to the EU is very complicated, as each product has a different percentage.
- A very special souvenir is clothing, which you have to declare at a rate of 12 percent in Germany.
- Even shoes are often bought abroad, 8 percent import duty is then to be paid here.
- For jewelry, no matter if silver or gold, only 2.5 percent have to be paid.
- The current value added tax is also deducted from these percentages.