Germany

For imports from outside the EU, German customs require the customs registration form 0350, a deregistration notice from your foreign authority (Abmeldebescheinigung) or an equivalent employer/embassy letter, a copy of your passport, and a goods inventory list. A confirmation of registration at your new German address (Anmeldebestätigung), rental contract and employment contract are also useful where applicable. A signed letter confirming the shipment contains no firearms, alcohol, tobacco, tea or coffee is optional but helpful. Gosselin's customs specialists prepare and check this paperwork with you.

Transfer-of-residence relief is a German customs scheme that allows people relocating from outside the EU to import their used personal and household goods free of import duty. To qualify, you must have lived outside the EU for over 12 months, have owned and used the goods for at least six months before shipping, and import them within 12 months of settling in Germany. The relief is applied for on customs form 0350 and granted solely by German customs, and the goods must be kept for 12 months after import. Alcohol, tobacco, commercial vehicles and commercially used items are excluded from this relief.

Yes. Weapons and ammunition, medicinal products and narcotics, cash above declaration thresholds, fireworks and certain other items are restricted. Alcohol and tobacco are excluded from duty-free removal relief. Certain dangerous dog breeds — including pit bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, bull terriers and their crosses — are banned from import. Cultural assets, rough diamonds, counterfeit goods, and certain food, plant and animal products are also restricted, and solid wood packaging must carry the ISPM 15 treatment mark. Your Gosselin coordinator will review your inventory against these rules before shipping.

Yes, Gosselin offers international car shipping and can transport your vehicle alongside your household goods. For intercontinental moves, cars can travel in the same shipping container as your belongings so everything arrives together. Note that commercial vehicles are excluded from duty-free household-goods relief, and registration and roadworthiness requirements apply once your car is in Germany. Your coordinator will confirm the documentation and process for your specific route.

Pets can generally be relocated to Germany, but rules on vaccinations, microchipping and paperwork must be followed carefully, and certain dangerous dog breeds are banned from import. Requirements vary by your country of origin and species, so always confirm the current rules with the official German authorities before travel. Gosselin has extensive experience with pet-owning families — we even moved a lucky German Shepherd from Italy to the USA, as featured in our story on how <a href="/en/news/gosselin-moved-lucky-german-shepherd-from-italy-to-usa">Gosselin moved Lucky the German Shepherd from Italy to USA</a>. Ask your coordinator to help plan around your pet's needs.