Germany Relocations Customs Guide

You Must Be Transferring Your Normal Place of Residence to Germany

The Hausrat exemption applies only to individuals transferring their normal place of residence (gewöhnlicher Wohnsitz) from outside the EU to Germany. Holiday homes, investment properties, and temporary postings do not qualify. Your normal place of residence must genuinely be moving to Germany.

12 Months’ Continuous Residence Outside the EU

You must have lived outside the EU continuously for at least 12 months immediately before your move to Germany. Brief EU visits during this period do not break continuity, but taking up EU residence (even temporarily) does. UAE residence visa records are typically sufficient proof of continuous non-EU residence.

Goods Must Have Been Owned and in Personal Use for 6+ Months

Every item claimed under the Hausrat exemption must have been owned by you personally and in your normal personal use for at least 6 months before you moved. New items purchased specifically for Germany — including new furniture, appliances, or electronics — do not qualify and attract full 19% MwSt. Fusion screens every inventory before the Umzugsgut declaration is prepared.

Declaration Must Be Submitted Before or At Time of Import

The Umzugsgut declaration must be submitted to Zoll before or at the time your goods arrive at the German port. Submitting after arrival forfeits the exemption. Fusion submits the Umzugsgut declaration through our licensed Zollspediteur before goods leave Jebel Ali.

Goods Cannot Be Sold, Lent, or Hired for 12 Months After Import

EU Regulation 1186/2009 requires that goods imported under the removal goods exemption are not sold, lent, or hired out for 12 months after the date of import. Breaching this triggers retroactive MwSt and duty charges.

German Address Required at Time of Declaration

The Umzugsgut declaration requires a confirmed German address. If your German property purchase has not completed or your Mietvertrag (tenancy agreement) has not started, Fusion advises on the best approach — including using a provisional address if appropriate.

Zollverwaltung Customs Clearance

Fusion’s licensed Zollspediteur submits the Umzugsgut declaration electronically through ATLAS (Automatisiertes Tarif- und Lokales Zollabwicklungssystem) before vessel arrival. Zoll reviews the declaration and typically issues electronic release for correctly prepared Umzugsgut entries within 2–5 working days. Physical examination is less common for personal effects than for commercial cargo but does occur.

Physical Examination (Beschau)

If Zoll selects a shipment for physical examination (Beschau), the container is examined at the port. Items not on the inventory, items appearing new or commercially packed, or items raising biosecurity concerns are assessed separately. Examination adds 3–7 working days. Port examination charges (typically EUR 300–600) are paid by the importer.

Anmeldung zur Ansiedlung — Registration in Germany

Within 14 days of moving into your new German home, you must register your address with the local Einwohnermeldeamt (residents’ registration office) — this is called the Anmeldung. The Anmeldebescheinigung (registration certificate) you receive is a critical document for: opening a German bank account, registering with the Finanzamt (tax office), accessing Krankenversicherung (health insurance), and most daily administrative processes in Germany. Fusion briefs every client on the Anmeldung process before they leave Dubai.

Steueridentifikationsnummer — German Tax ID

Your Steueridentifikationsnummer (Steuer-ID) is issued automatically by the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern after your Anmeldung is processed — typically 2–4 weeks after registration. This number is required for all employment, banking, and tax purposes in Germany. Without it, your employer is legally required to withhold tax at the highest rate. Fusion advises on this timing before every client departs Dubai.

Clearance Timeline

• Electronic release (standard): 2–5 working days after vessel arrival at Hamburg
• Zoll examination (Beschau): add 3–7 working days
• Road delivery Hamburg to Munich: approximately 6–8 hours
• Road delivery Hamburg to Frankfurt: approximately 4–5 hours

German Ports Fusion Uses

• Hamburg — primary container port
• Bremerhaven — secondary option

Clearance Timeline at a Glance

• Electronic release: 2–5 days
• Beschau exam: +3–7 days

Talk to a Germany Specialist

Questions about Zoll Hausrat or Anmeldung? Speak to Fusion before you ship.

Returning German Nationals

German nationals who have been resident outside the EU and are returning to Germany as their normal place of residence fully qualify for the Hausrat exemption. The 12-month continuous non-EU residency requirement is the key criterion. German nationals returning from the UAE are among the most common Hausrat applicants Fusion handles.

Corporate Relocations — EU-Specific Rules

The Umzugsgut declaration must be in the name of the individual relocating. However, employer documentation confirming the non-EU posting, the German assignment, and the individual’s UAE employment period is important supporting evidence. Fusion manages corporate relocation Hausrat documentation for HR teams at major multinationals with German operations including automotive, pharmaceutical, and financial services companies.

EU Citizens Moving FROM Another EU Country

The Hausrat exemption under EU Reg. 1186/2009 specifically covers moves from OUTSIDE the EU to an EU member state. If you are an EU citizen moving from one EU country to another (e.g. from France to Germany), the exemption does not apply — there are no customs duties on intra-EU moves anyway, as Germany is part of the EU Single Market.

Multi-Consignment Moves

If goods are shipped in multiple consignments (sea + air, or multiple containers), each consignment requires its own Zoll entry but can reference the same Umzugsgut approval. Fusion coordinates multi-consignment Hausrat documentation as standard.

Freiberufler & Gewerbetreibende — Professional Equipment

Germany has specific rules for professional tools and equipment imported alongside household goods. Professional equipment (Berufsausrüstung) may qualify for separate exemption treatment under EU Reg. 1186/2009. Fusion advises on the optimal approach for clients who have professional tools, instruments, or specialist equipment in their shipment.

Munich, Frankfurt, or Berlin — City Delivery Logistics

Hamburg is the primary port for all German destinations. Road delivery to major German cities: Munich (6–8 hours), Frankfurt (4–5 hours), Berlin (3–4 hours), Düsseldorf (4 hours), Stuttgart (7 hours). All deliveries are coordinated with building management for apartment buildings. Most German apartment buildings have strict move-in times and lift access booking requirements — Fusion’s German partner team manages all access coordination in advance.

Full Dubai to Germany Moving Guide

Complete route guide covering transit times, Hamburg port procedures, shipping methods, and step-by-step process for a Dubai to Germany move.

Read the Guide →

All Customs Guides

Customs guides for all five destinations — UK, Australia, Canada, France.

Pet Relocation to Germany

EU pet passport requirements, EU AHC health certificate, and full coordination for pets moving from Dubai to Germany.

Car Shipping to Germany

RoRo or container shipping from Dubai, UAE export paperwork handled, and Germany’s import rules for your car checked at survey.

Fine Arts & Antiques

EU CITES permits, specialist crating, and Lloyd’s insurance for artwork moving from Dubai to Germany.

Storage Services

Dubai or Hamburg storage while your German property purchase completes or your Mietvertrag start date arrives.

Umzugsgut — The EU Removal Goods Exemption

The Umzugsgut exemption is established under EU Council Regulation 1186/2009 and administered in Germany by the Zollamt. It allows qualifying individuals transferring their normal residence from outside the EU to Germany to import used household effects and personal belongings free of customs duty and import VAT (Einfuhrumsatzsteuer, 19%).

Eligibility Requirements

• You must be transferring your normal place of residence to Germany from outside the EU
• You must have lived outside the EU continuously for at least 12 months prior to your move
• Goods must have been owned and used by you for at least 6 months before the move
• Goods must not be sold, lent, pledged, or hired out within 12 months of importation
• The application must be submitted to the Zollamt before or at the time of importation

Prohibited & Restricted Items

• Controlled drugs and narcotics
• Certain firearms — German Waffengesetz permit required
• Endangered species items (CITES — ivory, certain skins)
• Counterfeit goods and pirated material
• Certain food products from outside the EU
• Live plants and soil without phytosanitary certificate
• Hate material and certain publications

Full guidance: Zoll.de — Moving to Germany