RapidWorld Relocations is a leading international moving company in China with offices in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai.
Are you moving from Beijing to Germany?
Submit a quote request, email us or call us at 86-21-5443-6852, and we will get back to you shortly.
When it comes to moving to Germany, there is a process that is long established and RapidWorld is able to help you resolve any issues. From arranging visas, finding properties and school places, to helping you decide what to take, packing it and shipping it to your new home, you won’t be alone. Our services cover whole China span including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Wuhan, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Guilin, Guiyang, Xiamen, Jinan, Nanchang, Changchun, Harbin, etc. We can move you to everywhere in Germany including Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Stuttgart, Hamburg, Essen, etc. Here below are some important information regarding moving personal used household goods and effects to Germany. Please feel free to contact us should you have any question.
PROHIBITED ITEMS
The following is not permitted into Germany and if included in shipments will result in seizure of all prohibited items and possible legal penalties against the shipper:
• Firearms, ammunitions, explosives, swords and flick knives.• Publications or material of a pornographic or politically subversive nature.• Drugs• Fresh unprocessed foods, animal products, plants and trees
Please avoid sending food items, medicines and cosmetics with your shipment. Never ship food items, tobacco, alcohol, new items or commercial goods by air freight. Even if used at origin or exported from Germany before, duties and taxes will apply!
Alcohol, tobacco, commercial vehicles and commercial used goods are all subject to duties and import VAT. Additional charges for customs clearance of alcohol and other goods which can’t be declared as used house hold goods will apply. The duties and taxes will be in the range of 40-50% based on the declared value of the goods + partial shipping charges.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
APPLICABLE FOR BOTH EXPATS & RETURNING CITIZENS• Consignee’s valid passport copy• Signed letter from employer (if the move is corporate) stating: employment details abroad (also required for German citizens), confirming you were residing outside EU for a period of at least 12 months. If no company letter can be obtained please provide documents as stated under ‘Important Notice’ below.• A copy of the certificate of residence (“Anmeldebestaetigung”) obtained from the local authorities in the relevant town/district in Germany. Without this document, clearance as used household goods (Tax-Free) cannot be guaranteed. Shipper has to be present in Germany to receive this document. If the shipper was still registered in Germany while they were abroad, which shouldn’t be the case, the following is required:o Personal statement providing the reason for not de-registeringo Recent printout from the town hall registration (Melderegisterauszug), not older than three months.o supporting documents / invoices
DIPLOMATSShipments for foreign diplomats are duty free if Germany has a joint agreement with the origin country. However, customs are authorized to inspect goods at the home residence, even if all relevant documentation has been provided as the carrier cannot guarantee clearance at border.Required documents:
• Certification from the relevant embassy or consulate.• Completed 0349 Form.• Valid diplomatic card copy.• Valid passport copy.
CLEARANCE PROCEDURES
To refrain from incurring any demurrage or detention charges at POE/ AOE, please ensure the shipment is not dispatched until all necessary documentation has arrived at the destination branch for clearance. In this instance, the destination branch pass these charges back to origin.
Under normal circumstances, the transferee must have lived outside of the EU for a period of 12 month or more, prior to importing personal effects. The transferee must have de-registered when they left Germany. Goods must belong to the transferee and non-consumables must have been owned for at least six month prior to importation, used for the same purpose as at origin. These items must not leave the transferee’s possession for a period of no less than 12 month. In the case where the above mentioned requirements cannot be fulfilled, the goods will be subject to duties and import VAT of approximately 40 – 50% of the customs value plus partial shipping charges determined by German customs.
Customs clearance times
| Air Shipments | Surface Shipment (FCL) | Surface Shipment (LCL) |
| 3-5 working days | 3-5 working days | 5-10 working days |
Above times are estimates only and on the basis that all required documents are available and in order. Actual time for customs clearance may be subject to change. For more information please contact destination office.
