Can I send clothes to Germany?
Allowed
Yes.
Used clothing is fine. From outside the EU, duty and import VAT apply unless moving relief, student relief, or the €45 gift rule covers the box.
Before you ship to Germany
- Tax-free limit
- From another EU country, there is no customs clearance and nothing to pay on arrival. From outside the EU (including the UK), there is no tax-free threshold. Import VAT has applied from the first euro since the old €22 exemption ended on July 1, 2021, and the €150 customs duty exemption ended on July 1, 2026. Gifts sent by one private person to another, worth up to €45 (about $53) per box, remain free of duty and import VAT.
- Receiver ID
- No national ID or tax number is needed for a private shipment. Private individuals also don't need an EORI customs number unless they make customs declarations regularly (10 or more a year). The courier may ask for a phone number and email to arrange payment.
- Transit
- 1-3 business days within the EU; 2-5 from the UK or North America; 3-7 from Asia
Questions
Can I send clothes to Germany?
Yes. Used clothing is fine. From outside the EU, duty and import VAT apply unless moving relief, student relief, or the €45 gift rule covers the box.
Ask about a specific item
Official sources
- 1.
Generalzolldirektion (Zoll)
Internetbestellungen (opens in a new tab) - 2.
Generalzolldirektion (Zoll)
Geschenksendungen (opens in a new tab) - 3.
Generalzolldirektion (Zoll)
Arzneimittel (Sendungen aus einem Nicht-EU-Staat) (opens in a new tab) - 4.
Generalzolldirektion (Zoll)
Einfuhr von tierischen Erzeugnissen in Kleinsendungen (opens in a new tab) - 5.
Generalzolldirektion (Zoll)
Private Einfuhr von Lebens- und Futtermitteln (opens in a new tab) - 6.
Generalzolldirektion (Zoll)
Transferring residence (opens in a new tab) - 7.
Generalzolldirektion (Zoll)
Schulmaterial, Ausstattung und Haushaltsgegenstände von Schülern und Studenten (opens in a new tab)
General guidance, not legal advice. Customs in Germany makes the final decision on every box.