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Expanding to the German market is one of the easiest and most cost-effective opportunities available to UK businesses.
Germany is the largest economy in Europe and represents a significant e-commerce market. As one of the closest major European trading partners, Germany also offers relatively short transit times and competitive shipping rates. There are additional customs procedures to navigate since Brexit. But there’s not so much red tape as to make cross-border shipping cost-prohibitive.
If you’re looking to start selling in Germany, we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about shipping a parcel from the UK to Germany.
Shipping to Germany in 2026
Previously, as an EU member, the UK enjoyed tariff-free trade with Germany with minimal customs procedures. Today, all shipments from the UK to Germany are treated as imports from outside the EU and require proper customs documentation and declarations. All trade is governed by the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).
The easiest way to handle the additional requirements of shipping to Germany from the UK is via the EU’s Import One Stop Shop (IOSS). This is an electronic VAT system that simplifies VAT payment for sellers of goods valued at €150 or less.
In addition, all parcels shipped from the UK to Germany require:
- A CN22 or CN23 customs form. The CN22 form is used for parcels with a declared value under £135, whilst the CN23 form is required for higher-value shipments.
- A commercial invoice, detailing the shipper and recipient names and addresses, product descriptions, quantities, unit values, total value and HS codes for each item.
- Correctly classified HS codes based on the EU's TARIC (Integrated Tariff of the European Community) system
What carrier services are available in Germany
Germany benefits from excellent carrier infrastructure with multiple carriers offering competitive rates and fast delivery times. Here are some of the leading providers:
- DHL is the dominant logistics provider in Germany and offers some of the fastest services from the UK.
- FedEx offers reliable international express services with delivery typically within 1-3 business days.
- DPD offers European-focused services with Express delivery typically taking 3-5 business days.
- Hermes offers several delivery services, including courier collection and drop-off options.
The right final carrier may change from month to month and shipment to shipment. That’s why at Pro Carrier, we take a carrier-agnostic approach to international shipping. So you always get the fastest delivery times and most competitive rates.
How long does it take to send a parcel to Germany?
For small parcels, delivery can be made within two business days using an express service. Standard delivery times range from three to seven days. The exact delivery times to Germany will vary depending on your chosen delivery service.
How to format a German address correctly
Proper address formatting is essential for successful delivery to Germany. German addresses follow a specific format that differs from UK conventions.
For example, street numbers follow the street name without punctuation. The format is always "Street Name" then "Number", never reversed.
Addresses may contain special characters, like "ß." This is a distinct letter in German. If you cannot type it, use "ss" instead.
Here’s an example address you can follow:
Max Mustermann
Bahnhofstrasse 10
43123 Musterstadt
GERMANY
German public holidays and business closures
Being aware of German public holidays helps manage customer expectations and plan shipment timing. You can find a list of every major national holiday below:
- New Year's Day
- Good Friday
- Easter Sunday
- Easter Monday
- Labour Day
- Ascension Day
- Whit Monday
- German Unity Day
- Christmas Day
Additionally, regional holidays vary by state, with some states observing Corpus Christi (19 June) and Reformation Day (31 October). Plan shipments strategically around Easter and Christmas to avoid holiday-related delays.
How can you track your package to Germany?
While many carriers provide comprehensive real-time tracking, the best way to track all your deliveries is with a dedicated service like Pro Carrier’s Horizon.
Our platform provides integrated tracking for international shipments with real-time visibility and branded tracking pages. This lets customers track parcels and receive updates in their local language.
Ship to Germany with Pro Carrier
Successfully shipping to Germany requires understanding post-Brexit customs procedures, proper classification using HS codes, accurate address formatting and compliance with German import regulations. While you can navigate requirements and regulations on your own, expert advice and support can make your shipments faster and more cost-effective.
At Pro Carrier, we specialise in cross-border e-commerce shipping solutions, offering an integrated service that simplifies international shipping. You can manage every aspect of your shipping operations from a single dashboard, including order management, carrier selection, customs documentation and real-time tracking.
With competitive carrier rates and comprehensive tracking capabilities, we make shipping to Germany straightforward and efficient for businesses of all sizes.So, whether you're just beginning to ship to Germany or looking to expand existing operations, Pro Carrier can help your business succeed in Europe's largest economy.
Find out more about how we can help your brand get a foothold in Germany by speaking to an expert today.