Freight and origin
Ocean into Hamburg or Bremerhaven, rail into Duisburg, or air into Frankfurt. Export clearance included.
Last reviewed
DDP shipping · China → Germany
DDP shipping from China to Germany — EU duty and 19% import VAT itemised, with ATLAS declarations handled.
Delivered Duty Paid from China to Germany with freight, EU common tariff duty, 19% Einfuhrumsatzsteuer, ATLAS declaration, and final-mile delivery broken out as named components. VAT deferment is arranged where possible, and the importer of record is confirmed in writing.
All-induty and VAT included
Itemisedevery component named
ATLASdeclarations coordinated
24hquote turnaround
1
Landed cost number
19%
Einfuhrumsatzsteuer
EU tariff
common rate, any member state
EU EORI
required and checked
What DDP into Germany covers
Every component named — nothing billed on delivery.
Germany is the EU's largest import market and the lane where rail is a genuine mainstream alternative. We itemise each cost component and quote rail alongside ocean and air when it fits.
EU common tariff
Duty follows your TARIC classification under the EU common customs tariff — the same rate in any member state. We classify before quoting.
19% import VAT
Einfuhrumsatzsteuer at 19%, normally paid or deferred at import. Unlike the UK, this ties up cash until the VAT return reconciles.
EU-wide delivery
Once goods are in free circulation in Germany they move within the EU without further customs formality. Onward trucking to any EU destination.
Where DDP into Germany goes wrong
The DDP quotes you should walk away from.
VAT treatment unclear
German import VAT is 19% and is generally paid or deferred at import — not postponed to a return like the UK. A DDP quote that does not state the VAT treatment is leaving the cash-flow position unanswered.
Nobody named as IOR
Someone has to be the importer of record with an EU EORI. If the quote does not say who, the ATLAS declaration cannot be filed — and the container sits at Hamburg accruing storage.
Wrong classification guessed
The EU common tariff rate depends on the TARIC code. A DDP number built on a guessed code is wrong in whichever direction you discover later — supplementary demand or overpayment.
Itemised landed cost
What sits inside one DDP number into Germany.
Germany applies the EU common customs tariff and 19% import VAT through the ATLAS national declaration system. Unlike the UK, import VAT is normally paid or deferred at import rather than postponed to a return — which changes how much cash the shipment ties up. We itemise each component so you see the difference.
| Component | What it covers | Who handles it |
|---|---|---|
| Freight | Ocean, air, or rail leg from China to Germany, including origin handling and export clearance | Prodoer |
| Customs entry | ATLAS declaration, TARIC classification, and broker coordination | Prodoer |
| EU import duty | EU common customs tariff rate by TARIC code — same rate in any member state | Prodoer |
| Import VAT 19% | Einfuhrumsatzsteuer — paid or deferred at import, not postponed to a return | Prodoer |
| EU EORI | Mandatory importer registration — valid across all member states, verified before booking | Prodoer |
| Final-mile delivery | Trucking from port or terminal to door, DC, or warehouse across Germany and the EU | Prodoer |
German & EU customs under DDP
What the ATLAS declaration needs — and who carries each piece.
Under DDP we coordinate the ATLAS declaration through a broker, settle duty and import VAT, and arrange VAT deferment where it applies. The EU EORI must be in place before import — we verify it at quote time. Once goods clear into free circulation in Germany they move freely within the entire EU.
| Requirement | Who handles it under DDP | When |
|---|---|---|
| EU EORI number | Prodoer verifies | Before first import |
| ATLAS declaration | Prodoer coordinates | At import |
| TARIC commodity code | Prodoer | Before entry |
| EU common customs tariff duty | Prodoer settles | At entry |
| Import VAT 19% | Prodoer settles or defers | At entry |
| ICS2 advance cargo data | Carrier | Pre-arrival |
| CE marking | Importer, product dependent | Before sale |
| ISPM 15 timber packaging | Shipper — checked at origin | At packing |
How it works
Classify, itemise, move, deliver.
01 — Classify
TARIC code and EORI
Duty follows the TARIC classification under the EU common tariff. We settle it and verify the EU EORI before quoting, so the ATLAS declaration can actually be filed.
02 — Itemise
Break out the landed cost
Freight, ATLAS entry, duty, 19% VAT, and delivery are shown separately and totalled — with the importer of record named and VAT treatment confirmed.
03 — Move
Ship and track
Cargo moves on ocean, rail, or air. One tracking thread covers milestones from origin to the German port, terminal, or airport.
04 — Deliver
Cleared, paid, delivered
Duty and VAT settled by us, ATLAS declaration filed, and cargo delivered to your door, DC, or warehouse — anywhere in Germany or the EU.
FAQ
China → Germany DDP shipping FAQ
How DDP works, EU duty and 19% VAT, UK vs German VAT, EORI, importer of record, and EU-wide delivery. Don't see yours? An agent answers it in minutes.
How does DDP shipping to Germany work?
Under DDP, one number covers freight, the ATLAS declaration, EU common tariff duty, 19% import VAT (Einfuhrumsatzsteuer), and final-mile delivery. We classify the product under TARIC, itemise every component, confirm the EU EORI, arrange VAT deferment where it applies, and name the importer of record in writing. Nothing is billed to you on delivery.
What duty and VAT apply importing from China to Germany under DDP?
Duty follows the EU common customs tariff based on your TARIC classification — the same rate you would pay entering any EU member state. German import VAT is 19 percent and is generally paid or deferred at import rather than postponed to a return, which means the shipment ties up more cash than the equivalent UK movement. We show both as named lines in the DDP breakdown.
How does German import VAT differ from the UK?
The UK offers postponed VAT accounting, which lets importers account for VAT on their return rather than paying at the border. Germany does not have an equivalent for most importers — the 19% Einfuhrumsatzsteuer is normally paid or deferred at import, meaning the cash sits with customs until the VAT return reconciles. VAT deferment through an account can reduce this, and we arrange it where the importer qualifies.
Do I need a German EORI number specifically?
You need an EU EORI number, but it does not have to be German. An EORI issued by any member state is valid throughout the union, so if you already hold one from another EU country it will work for a German import. Under DDP we verify the EORI before booking so the ATLAS declaration can be filed without delay.
Who is the importer of record on a DDP shipment to Germany?
It must be established before booking. The importer of record holds the EU EORI and is legally responsible for the ATLAS declaration, duty, and VAT. Depending on the arrangement it may be us, a designated entity, or you. We put it in writing on the quote rather than leaving it implied.
Can you deliver DDP elsewhere in the EU after clearing in Germany?
Yes, and it is a common arrangement. Once goods are released into free circulation in Germany they move within the EU without further customs formality. We arrange onward trucking from the port or terminal to warehouses and DCs across Germany, the Benelux, Austria, France, and beyond. Tell us the delivery address at quote time so the final-mile leg is priced from the start.
China → Germany DDP quote
Get an itemised landed cost into Germany, not a round number.
Send the product, HS code if known, declared value, and German destination. One agent replies with freight, EU duty, 19% VAT, and delivery shown separately — and names the importer of record.
Get an itemised landed cost into Germany, not a round number.
Send the product, HS code if known, declared value, and German destination. One agent replies with freight, EU duty, 19% VAT, and delivery shown separately — and names the importer of record.