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German Customs Regulations
The following links will provide you with information about regulations you need to observe when importing or exporting goods when crossing borders to Germany / the European Union while travelling. Any traveller crossing borders of the European Union will get into contact with German Customs.
Cash Declaration
Anybody entering the European Union from, or leaving it for Non-Member States and carrying cash with a total value of EUR 10,000 or more is required to declare the cash to the competent national authorities. In Germany, the declaration is to be lodged in writing with the customs Administration.
VAT can be refunded if the merchandise is purchased and exported by a customer whose residence is outside the European Union.
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How to get a tax refund from Germany
In Germany the amount paid for merchandise includes 19 % value added tax (VAT). The VAT can be refunded if the merchandise is purchased and exported by a customer whose residence is outside the European Union. Please note that in order to qualify for tax-refund the merchandise has to be exported within three months of purchase.
Before you purchase any goods in Germany you should inform the retailer that you intend to export the goods. With your receipt you will receive a so-called “Ausfuhrbescheinigung” (export papers) or a Tax Free Shopping Check.
When leaving the European Union – through Germany only – the export papers or the Tax Free Shopping Check plus the following documents have to be presented to the Customs Service at the airport (you must leave Germany on a non-stop flight to a country outside the EU):
Customs online - tax free shopping
Link:
- the original receipt of the store
- the purchased goods (unused/unworn in its original packaging and with price tag)
- your passport showing residence outside the EU
The export papers will be stamped after the goods have been examined. As you do have to show the goods please make sure that they are in your carry on (your suitcases will already have been checked in!). After having returned to your country of origin, the stamped invoice should be sent back to the store in Germany where the merchandise was purchased. For the Tax Free Shopping Check you may be able to obtain cash refund if they have an office at the airport. Otherwise the check should be sent to the address on the back of the Tax Free Shopping Check where you will find detailed instructions for the refund.
Certification by German diplomatic or consular mission (exception)
In very rare exceptional cases a certification by a German diplomatic or consular mission is possible. A plausible explanation has to be given in writing why it was not possible to receive the export stamp at the port of departure from Germany. Goods ordered online and received by mail cannot declared at the Embassy.
The same procedure as at the customs service applies. The following documents have to be presented to a consular officer for inspection:
- original receipt
- export papers or Tax Free Shopping Check
- purchased goods (unused/unworn in its original packaging and with price tag)
- and your passport together with proof of residency
- Boarding pass
There is a fee of 25 Euro for each individual export paper. The fee is payable either in cash (equivalent in local currency according to the daily exchange rate) or by internationally accepted credit card (Visa, Master - card will be charged in Euro, additional charges by the credit card company may apply).