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With the holiday season approaching, online shopping makes it easier to find the perfect gifts and have them shipped to Germany. However, before sending or receiving holiday packages, it is important to understand German customs, regulations and restrictions on imported goods.
If you receive gifts through your Army Post Office mailbox, make sure the items are not restricted or prohibited. German law and U.S. Forces regulations prohibit the import of certain items into the country. These restrictions are intended to protect the environment, human health, children and youth, industrial property rights, public safety and the democratic order.
Whether ordered online or sent by family and friends, packages entering Germany must comply with these regulations. Prohibited items include controlled substances, medication, vitamins and nutritional supplements, unauthorized fireworks, cultural assets, food and animal feed containing meat or milk, plants, plant parts, fruits and seeds, animals (including products from endangered species), weapons and ammunition without the necessary German license, counterfeit trademarked products and pirated copies. This list is not exhaustive.
Additionally, the importation of rationed items through military mail is prohibited. This includes certain products such as alcoholic beverages, cigarettes (including e-cigarettes and vaping products), other tobacco products, coffee and coffee products. This list is also not exhaustive
For detailed information about prohibited and restricted items, refer to AEAR 550-175 Section 1-6.
If your items are shipped through an APO or a commercial carrier, The U.S. Postal Service provides information on international mailing to Germany at https://pe.usps.com/text/imm/fh_011.htm.
More information is available at: https://www.zoll.de/EN/Private-individuals/Postal_consignments_internet_order/Shipments-from-a-non-EU-country/Restrictions/restrictions_node.html or from your local Customs office.
Keep in mind that gifts must be for personal use and in noncommercial quantities.
When importing gifts from outside of the European Union by an international parcel service, you may be able to save money by clearing your shipment through customs yourself. Otherwise, the carrier will automatically handle the import, and you will have to pay customs duties and import taxes. Keep in mind that these fees are nonrefundable.
After completing the self-clearance process, contact your military customs office servicing your garrison to obtain AEA Form 550-175A (Import Certificate). For final customs clearance, you must travel to the German customs office where your parcel is being held.
Keep your holiday spirits high and avoid unpleasant surprises by ensuring that prohibited items are not delivered to your APO mailbox. When shipping through an international parcel service, use AEA Form 550-175A to save money on customs processing.
