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Many U.S. personnel stationed in Germany order products by mail from abroad or have relatives send things from the U.S. However, U.S. Army Europe Provost Marshal Office officials caution that some items may not be mailed to an Army Post Office address.
U.S. and German customs personnel conduct checks of APO mail for unauthorized items and recent seizures show that some people are violating these laws, OPM officials said.
Counterfeits of trademarked items; some medications, diet pills and nutrition supplements; some foods; some firearms; products made from endangered species; and items that are rationed in Germany, are banned from the mail.
“Trademark violations are the illegal use of signs, names, logos and business names that brand manufacturers use to distinguish their products,” said Bill Johnson, chief of the USAREUR Customs Executive Agency. Many producers of DVDs and CDs or designer goods such as purses, shoes or clothing have registered their trademarks with customs officials who inspect the mail for fake products.
Mr. Johnson added that people should consult a postal officer before ordering medications, diet pills or nutrition supplements by mail order, as the rules governing their importation are very complicated. Even items like vitamins or ginseng in highly measured doses may not be mailed.
Food products are also problematic, Mr. Johnson said, due to animal and plant health regulations. Meat or meat products like beef jerky, game or ham are banned from the mail, as are canned meats and even soup mixes or pasta containing meat. Caviar from sturgeon is forbidden due to the endangering of all species of sturgeon. There are further restrictions on potatoes, milk products and eggs.
Firearms and ammunition are restricted items that require permits to be mailed to Germany. Mr. Johnson said some types of paintball guns and air soft rifles that are available stateside are more powerful than German law allows, so people should consult with customs experts before having these kinds of weapons sent to them.
Endangered species products are another area of concern. OPM officials said buying these products adds to the risk of animals and plants becoming extinct, and customs can fine violators and confiscate the goods. Reptile and other skins, such as crocodile, lizard, snake and sea turtle, are often used in watchbands, handbags, belts, wallets and shoes. Ivory and whale teeth decorations, known as scrimshaw and netsuke, and many plants such as cacti and orchids, are also banned.
“People should also remember that coffee, tobacco products and alcoholic beverages are rationed in Germany and may not be mailed via the APO,” Mr. Johnson said.
He said it is perfectly legal to have things like coffee, liqueurs or cigars sent to a German home address via the German mail system or a commercial parcel service, but the sender may have to pay tax and import duty that can sometimes be quite expensive.
Mr. Johnson also explained that using the APO to import any item for resale, a business or volunteer organization is banned as well.
To import items for these purposes requires using the civilian postal system or a parcel service and paying the appropriate import duties and tax. Those who use the APO to transport these types of goods are violating the law and U.S. military regulations by evading those taxes, OPM officials said.
Military customs offices can provide more advice on mail questions. For information and details on how to find and contact a local office is available at the USAREUR Customs Executive Agency Web site at www.hqusareur.army.mil/opm/gercustoms.htm.
Information is also available in English on the German customs Web site at www.zoll.de/english_version/b0_prohibitions_and_restrictions/index.html.
