Germany humanitarian customs regulations

This document was submitted in response to a questionnaire distributed by Global Hand regarding humanitarian customs information. It provides regulations for importing humanitarian aid into Germany.

Required Documents

bill of lading/airway bil l
commercialoice
packing list, if possible
fumigation certificate for certain products only
deed of donation if possible
certificate of origin for certain items, eg textiles
“Single Administrative Document” (SAD), for goods of value over 1000 Euro. For exports, same as for imports, excep bill of lading/airway bill is not required.

Prohibited Goods

Alcoholic drinks, tobacco products and all dangerous goods, such as weapons, drugs and explosives, are not permitted entry into Germany as humanitarian aid. Also see EU Regulation No 918/83: hhttp://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:31983R0918:EN:NOT

Tax Exemption

Most types of goods can be imported into Germany tax exempt as humanitarian aid, except if donated by a private person. Regarding the exportation of goods there are generally no export duties to be paid in Germany. Germany acknowledges that humanitarian organisations and exporting companies can take advantage of tax refunds.

PreShipment Application

Pre-shipment application should be made to the local financial department (Finanzamt) in Germany. Also, the export declaration should be sent to the local customs office.

Monetary Valuation

Customs require monetary valuation for the shipment on an item by item basis, and for the consignment as a whole, in Euro currency.

Restrictions

Restrictions are enforced on certain goods
details should be requested from the German authorities.

Other Info

Both the donor and recipient of a shipment should ask their local authorities about the exact conditions of a single shipment on both sides (export country and import country) and give as much information as possible in order to get specific answers. Also see EU Regulation No 918/83
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:31983R0918:EN:NOT

Point of Contact

German Customs Information Centre: Zoll-Infocenter, Hansaallee 141, 60320 Frankfurt am Main Tel: +49 69 46997600; Fax: +49 69 46997699; Email: info@zoll-infocenter.de