Easy International Moving and Shipping to Germany

When shipping to Germany or planning to do an international shipment, it is crucial to have a solid understanding of the process involved. From navigating Germany customs regulations to selecting the right shipping method, being well-informed is key to a smooth shipping experience.

Why Choose Ameritrans Freight for international shipping services

Ameritrans Freight International is your go-to for a seamless international move to Germany. We offer the cheapest shipping from USA to germany, making the process convenient. Germany is one of our busiest destinations, thanks to its corporate community and U.S. military connections.

International shipping to Germany from USA

Germany is one of the most popular international shipping destinations, thanks to its robust economy and strategic location.Therefore, understanding the shipping options available can help you reduce cost and save time. From container shipping for large consignments to RoRo services for cars and heavy equipment, or air freight for time-sensitive deliveries, there’s a solution for every need.

Whether you’re relocating, sending household goods, or shipping vehicles, Ameritrans Freight International ensures your move to Germany goes smoothly. We handle your cargo and documentation, offering the cheapest way to ship to Germany, and ensure that your goods reaches key destinations like Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Frankfurt, and Munich efficiently.

Here are some of the services we provide:

• Door-to-door shiping services.
• sheltered storage.
• wrapping and packaging.
• Pickup and delivery services from any U.S. location.
• Customs clearance and documentation.
• Precise volume estimates.
• Completion of customs forms.
• Courier services

Cheapest way to ship to Germany

For E-commerce merchants looking to buy things in the US and ship them to Germany, finding the cheapest options to ship to Germany is crucial for the business to become profitable. Let’s have a look at the  available methods that can offer you with the cheapest way to transport your goods to Germany from the US, and associated costs

1. Container shipping to Germany

Container shipping to Germany is one of the most efficient and cost-effective methods for transporting goods to the country. This shipping method offers flexibility, security, and affordability for both large and small shipments. There are two main container options to choose from;

1. Full Container Load (FCL):
   • Ideal for large shipments that require exclusive use of a container.
   • Available in standard sizes such as 20-foot and 40-foot containers.
   • Provides faster transit and added security since your items are not shared with others.
2. Less Than Container Load (LCL):
   • Suitable for smaller shipments, where you pay only for the space your cargo occupies.
   • Items are consolidated with other shipments, reducing overall shipping costs.
   • Perfect for household goods, smaller furniture pieces, or limited commercial inventory.

Documentation for Container Shipping

To ensure a smooth shipping process, the following documents are required:

• Bill of Lading: Acts as a contract and receipt for goods shipped.
• Packing List: Details the contents of the container for customs inspection.
• Commercial Invoice (if applicable): Required for commercial shipments.
• Customs Declaration Form: Mandatory for clearing goods at German ports.

Customs and Duties for Container Shipping

Germany’s customs regulations allow duty-free import of personal items if:

• Goods have been owned and used for at least six months.
• The importer is relocating to Germany for at least 12 months.

For commercial goods or items that don’t meet these criteria, import duties and VAT (typically 19%) may apply. A professional customs broker can assist in calculating and minimizing duties.

Popular Container Shipping Routes

Containers are shipped from USA to Germany’s major ports, including:

• Hamburg: The largest port and a central hub for global trade.
• Bremerhaven: Known for its efficient handling of vehicles and containerized cargo.
• Frankfurt and Munich: Inland destinations served by intermodal transport networks.

2. RoRo shipping to Germany

The cheapest way to ship cars and heavy equipmentgs to Germany is though RoRo shipping. Goods are rolled in to the shipping vessel during loading and rolled off when offloading, reducing handling costs.

At Ameritrans Freight International, we pride ourselves at providing the best RoRo shipping services to Germany, specializing in shipping boats, jet skis, heavy construction equipment, airplanes, and break-bulk machinery.

3. Air freight shipping to Germany

Airfreight shipping is the fastest and most reliable method of transporting goods to Germany. it is the ideal option for time-sensitive shipments or high-value items.  However, airfreight rates are always higher than any other shipping method.  The cargo should not take more than four pallets, as bigger shipments will not be worth the high shipping costs.

Germany is home to the largest cargo-handling airport in Europe: Frankfurt Airport. It handles about two million tons of cargo each year. The favorable location of the airport makes importing products to Germany by air much easier and faster.

Other cargo airports in the country are in Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg.

Transit times of airfreight from major US cities to Germany

Here are some examples of the transit time of cargo shipped from the United States to Germany:

• Atlanta or San Francisco to Frankfurt – Delivery time is within 4-6 days.
• Denver or Los Angeles to Frankfurt – Delivery time is within 5-8 days.
• New York to Frankfurt – Delivery time is approximately 3-5 days.

Common Cargo Airports in Germany

• Frankfurt Airport: Europe’s largest cargo hub, handling over 2 million tons annually.
• Berlin Brandenburg Airport: An efficient option for central Germany.
• Munich Airport: Ideal for shipments to southern Germany.
• Hamburg Airport: Convenient for northern destinations.

Considerations for Air Freight

While air freight is faster, it is more expensive than ocean shipping. It is best suited for:

• Urgent shipments with tight deadlines.
• High-value goods requiring secure handling.
• Items with small volumes or weights to minimize costs.

How much does it cost to ship from the US to Germany

Shipping costs to Germany depends on several factors, including the volume of goods, origin/destination, and chosen service. Here are some cost estimates:

1. Full Container Load (FCL)

The most effective and cheapest way to ship internationally is via full container loads. The ideal cost of shipping a full container of an approximation for hauling pallets, crates, and entire container loads weighing between 250 and 45,000 pounds include: –

• 20-foot container: $274
• 40-foot container: $320

2. Less Than Container Load (LCL)

Approximation for shipping boxes, pallets, and less-than-container cargo weighing 250 pounds to 20.000 pounds is:

• LCL: $32.70 per CBM
• Personal effects: $289.00
• Household goods/furniture: $297.40

NB; Contact us to get an exact quote.

3. Estimated cost of air freight shipping to Germany

Ideal for shipping costs of pallets, boxes and send a package weighing between 250 and 3,500 pounds.

• Minimum; $150.00.
• + 40 kg: $2.21 per kg.
• 300 kg: $1.80 per kg.
• 1000 kg: $1.50 per kg.

Moving to Germany from USA – shipping household goods to germany

When shipping household goods to Germany, our international moving business provides a few various shipping choices with effective shipping costs. There are two types of container services available: shared and solitary.

• Shared Container Service: This method is also referred to as LCL shipping. LCL stands for Less -than Container Load. You only pay for the volume you ship. Ideal for smaller loads, this option is cost-effective.
• Dedicated Container Service: For larger or time-sensitive shipments, we provide 20 or 40-foot containers for a fixed cost. You get the whole container to yourself, ensuring faster transit times and added security for your goods

Required documentation

When moving your household goods to germany, you will need the following documentation;

• Bill of Lading: A detailed record of the shipment.
• Packing List: Clearly lists all items being shipped.
• Proof of Ownership: Especially for used household items and vehicles.
• Customs Declaration Form: Required to declare your goods and their value.
• Residence Permit or Visa (if applicable): For duty-free import eligibility.

Customs Duties and Taxes for household items

Germany allows duty-free import of personal household goods if you meet the following conditions;

• If you are either relocating to Germany parmanently, or temporarily for atleast 12 months
• The goods are used and have been owned for at least six months.

If these conditions are not met, note that your goods will be subject to a 19% VAT, and a custom duty of 17.5% of the goods value. It is therefore advicable to hire a customs brokerage service for accurate duty computation and faster clearance.

How long does shipping from USA to Germany take?

The transit time to Germany from the US varies depending on several factors such as; distance between origin and destination ports, shipping method used, and transit routes among others.

• East Coast to Germany: Approximately 3 weeks
• West Coast to Germany: Approximately 30 days
• Door-to-door services: Typically 6 to 8 weeks

3. Car shipping to Germany

 At Ameritrans Freight, we make the process of transporting your vehicle from the U.S. straightforward and hassle-free. With four decades of expertise in international auto shipping to Germany, we cater to a diverse clientele, including military personnel, temporary relocators, and those making permanent moves.

We pride ourselves on offering the most competitive ocean freight rates in the industry, coupled with an efficient shipping process that ensures your car arrives safely and on time. Whether you’re moving a family sedan or industrial equipment, Ameritrans Freight has the experience and capabilities to handle your shipping needs.

Cost of shipping a car to Germany

The average cost of  shipping a car to Germany is about $1000.

Factors that may affect the cost of shipping a car to Germany include:

• Year, make, and model of your car.
• Your place in the U.S. and how near you are to a port of departure.
• The delivery method you select.
• Your car’s last resting place in Germany.

In addition, always seek a flat rate for your particular shipment. We will ensure you have everything required for a risk-free international auto-delivery to Germany. We have an internal dispatch department that can plan pickups from any nationwide location. In any case, your car’s location.

The greatest global delivery network for RoRo and container ship transportation of cars, specialty vehicles, equipment, and boats are provided by Ameritrans freight.

Estimated shipping rates of auto shipping

Estimated rates for shipping huge automobiles, farm equipment, personal vehicles, and to sending a package are;

• SUV (in-container) $1,100.00
• Sedan via RORO $1,200.00
• SUV delivered for $820.00 via roro shipping

Different option services for car shipping to Germany

There are two options to choose from when shipping your car to Germany; Container shipping and RoRo shipping.

Container Shipping; Container shipping is the recommended method for high value cars, as it offers protection against damages during transit. Th benefit of shipping a car via a container is that you can transport it together with other goods.

RoRo method of shipping cars; This is a cost effective method of moving your car as it involves less handling. The cars are driven directly into the roro vessel, and secured for transportation.

Due to its openness to the elements, RoRo has few serviceable ports and is generally less protected. This service is primarily used when a vehicle is too tall or wide to fit inside a container. Furthermore, one must ship through an open area on a ship.

Common destinations for moving a car 

The locations in Germany where we send cars from the U.S. are listed below. The major port in the north is Bremerhaven.

Others include: –

• Bremen
• Hamburg
• Munich
• Ramstein
• Stuttgart
• Cologne
• Dresden
• Frankfurt

RoRo car shipping to Bremerhaven

Germany’s principal ocean freight port is Bremerhaven. Depending on the U.S. departure port, our container service departs every other week.

It takes about 4-5 weeks on the water from Los Angeles, our west coast office. Just keep in mind that this is an ocean voyage.

We advise clients to give the process at least 6 to 8 weeks to complete. However, it can take more time.

When exporting an automobile from the east coast, you will benefit from a quicker port-to-port transit time of 3–4 weeks.

Transporting a car temporarily

Only a deposit is needed if you’re taking your car on vacation or driving through Germany to get to another place. The money is returned to you after the vehicle departs Germany or is registered in your country of choice. If you are here temporarily, the length of your stay cannot exceed 12 months.

Transporting a car permanently

As long as it is in use and has ownership for more than six months, U.S. nationals moving permanently to Germany can transport the car as part of their personal belongings.

This is a one-time offer. We recommend that all our clients contact the German embassy to establish their status. This is because taxes and tariffs may alter without warning.

E.U. nationals who have resided in the United States for more than a year, and have owned the vehicle for more than six months are eligible for a single tax-free import.

Major destinations in Germany

We ship from the US to key cities including;

• Bremerhaven
• Hamburg
• Berlin
• Bremen
• Munich
• Stuttgart
• Dortmund
• Hanover
• Cologne
• Frankfurt
• Kaiserslautern

Note that: Your final destination may be a little village outside of one of the cities listed below, but chances are good that our staff of international movers will still be able to deliver you there.

Germany customs and regulations

Most of the time, people who are relocating their household items to Germany as personal property can import their possessions duty- and tax-free.

German tax and customs relief conditions must be met by individuals who want to benefit from this. Once your shipment with us has begun, we will walk you through this process in order to send a package.

Customs and import duties in Germany

What is the import duty rate to the US?

Prohibited and Restricted Items

Certain items cannot be imported into Germany, including pharmaceuticals, endangered species, and weapons. Restricted items include animals, chemicals, currency, leather products, powdered milk, and radioactive materials.

Customs duties and taxes

Germany, as a key member of the European Union, maintains a structured and detailed customs system that carefully regulates the import of goods from non-EU countries. Understanding these regulations is crucial for individuals and businesses shipping items to Germany. The se icludes the imports VAT, customs duty, and excise duty.

Import VAT

If shipping from non-EU country to Germany, the goods are subject to 19% VAT, which is calculated on the value of goods, including all related shipping costs. In some cases, the rates may be reduced to 7%. For countries that are part of the EU treaty, the import tax is rated at 0%

Customs duty

The goods are subject to a flat rate of 17.5% of the products value. However, there maybe reduced rates for some goods with specific tarrif consessions.

Custom brokerage services are: –

• Duty and tax computation.
• Monitoring liquidation issues.
• System of import duty drawbacks.
• Solutions for trade facilitation.
• Treasury bonds.
• Preparation and filing of a protest.
• Customs forms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which methods are economical and cost-effective?

The most effective and economical method of shipping goods is Ocean shipping services, and roro shipping services. The listed items are perfect for transporting:-

• Heavy and oversized loads.
• Commercial goods.
• Household goods.
• Vehicles, and personal effects.

How can an American move?

It is not difficult for Americans to relocate to Germany. But there are a few things you should know before you begin the process, and they include: –

First, unless you have European citizenship, you cannot simply move to Germany and settle there.

If you’re a citizen of the U.S, and you also need to travel to Germany for leisure or business you need a passport that’s up to date.

How can American citizens obtain a German residence permit?

One must obtain a residence permit. This applies if you are an American citizen and plan to stay in Germany for more than 90 days.

Within the first week after arriving in Germany. One must register with the city’s registration office to receive one.

Another choice is to apply for your German residency visa while still in the U.S. Either at a German Consulate or the German Embassy in Washington.

Telephone no.; +1(800)-413-2452

Email; anthony@ameritransfreight.com

Website; https://ameritransfreight.com/