Country Guide

Shipping Luggage to Germany from South Africa

Shipping luggage and personal effects from South Africa to Germany: duty-free entry rules, Anmeldung, customs forms and limits.

WhatsApp 068 058 2700

Call Johannesburg 011 972 1111

Duty-free entry

Non-German citizens and returning Germans who lived abroad for more than a year can bring used personal effects in duty-free, if they have owned them for at least six months.

Documents

Passport and visa, the residence registration confirmation (Anmeldebestätigung), an inventory in German or English, a statement that the shipment contains no firearms, drugs or alcohol, and an employment letter. An EORI number may be needed.

Couple unpacking boxes in their new home

Limits

Alcohol, tobacco and perfume are allowed only in small quantities and are dutiable.

Prohibited

Meat, dried plants, controlled medicines and weapons are not allowed.

Checklist

Documents for Germany

South African citizens: a copy of your ID (customs wants the ID, not the passport)

Foreign nationals: a copy of your passport

If you ship for someone else, a copy of their ID or passport as well

A signed clearing instruction for customs, which we send you to sign

A valued inventory list of what is in each piece (complete it online)

Full addresses in South Africa and at the destination on the inventory

Contact details at the destination: telephone, mobile and email

Describe what is in every bag or box: many countries reject inventories that just say 'misc' or 'packed by owner'

Your visa or residence permit, and any customs relief form Germany requires

Two Options

Door to Airport or Door to Door

Door to airport (CFR): recommended

Includes collection, customs clearance in South Africa, airline handling in South Africa and transport to the destination airport. You clear it and collect it at the destination.
Excludes destination clearance, depot or terminal charges at the destination, storage and examination fees if stopped, and AMS filing for sea freight to the USA.

Door to door (DAP)

Available to some countries only, and much more expensive. Includes collection, delivery to your door abroad, customs clearance in South Africa and at the destination, airline handling and all transport fees.
Excludes storage and examination fees if customs stops the shipment, and AMS filing for sea freight to the USA.

Our tip: save by clearing it yourself

Door to airport is by far the cheaper option. You pay the airline handling fee at the destination, process customs yourself with your passport and the inventory, and collect your baggage at the airport. Ask us for both prices and we will tell you what the destination's customs office will ask for.

Customs rules change. We confirm the current requirements for Germany when we quote.

Questions

Shipping Luggage to Germany: Questions

Tap a question to open the answer. For anything else, WhatsApp us.

Do I need the Anmeldung before clearance?

Usually yes. Register your address as soon as you arrive.

Can I send new items?

Goods owned for less than six months can be taxed.

How long does it take?

Air takes days; sea takes several weeks into Hamburg or Bremerhaven.

Collection

We Collect Across South Africa

More Destinations

Other Country Guides

Sending Luggage to Germany?

WhatsApp 068 058 2700 with the number of pieces and your destination city.