Importing Goods From Germany

If you want to know how to import goods from Germany, pay the right amount of tax and other charges and whether you require a licence or certificate, this article is for you. Before you import anything as a business, you will need to acquire an EORI number. If you do have one currently but it doesn’t begin with the letters GB, you will require a new one. Thankfully, the process for getting a new EORI is simple and straightforward.

Is The Seller Licensed?

You may also need to make sure that the business selling you the goods is licensed to send goods to the UK so the order can go ahead. The vast majority of businesses that import goods from overseas use transporters or customs agents in order to keep their workload to a minimum and prevent problems during the process. A commodity code needs to be included on the declaration so the rate of duty payable can be determined.

Commodity Codes

You’ll need to include the commodity code on your import declaration. This will determine the rate of duty you need to pay and if you need an import licence. You must include the value of the goods when making an import declaration so you know how much duty and VAT will be payable. You will need a special licence or certificate if you want to import goods like animals, plants, medicines, weapons and so on.

Do I Pay UK Or Germany VAT?

It’s also important to remember that you need to pay UK VAT on any goods that you have imported from Germany. You shouldn’t be charged German VAT or you will be paying VAT twice. This is why it’s so important to check all the paperwork linked to the transaction. By doing this, you can avoid being overcharged. You need to impose VAT on any products that you are reselling in the UK once they have arrived on your premises.

What Are My Other Responsibilities?

You’ll also be responsible for ensuring any goods that you are buying meet UK standards and that it is legal to sell them here. Shipping will normally take around 3-4 days if the goods are coming from the South of Germany and up to a couple of days if you’re buying from the North.

How To Pay German Suppliers

There are multiple ways you can make your international payments when importing goods from Germany. You can begin your transfer by paying in GBP with a card or sending the money to the supplier via your business bank account. There are many companies on the market offering low exchange rates to help you keep costs to a minimum. Some methods for making payments for importing goods to Germany are more expensive than others, so it’s best to shop around to get the best deal. Seek out payment facilitators that are regulated and don’t hide additional fees and charges in the exchange rate or you could find yourself paying far more than you need to when importing goods from Germany to the UK.