How long does German Customs take?

Between filing the paperwork, perfecting the packaging, cross-border delivery, Customs clearance, and local delivery within Germany it may take anywhere between 3 weeks to 4 months (or more!) to get a parcel delivered to your recipient.

How long do packages stay in German customs?

The storage period for letters is 7 days and for parcels 14 days from the date of delivery of the mail by Deutsche Post AG to the Customs Office. Please note that this storage period may already commence before you have received a notification from Deutsche Post AG.

How long do packages stay in customs?

Packages are usually processed within three business days, but sometimes they get stuck in customs for longer.

Why is my package being held in customs Germany?

'Held at Customs' means the package you are sending to the destination country is held by the officials of the importer country's customs office. These government bodies hold the packages until they ensure that only permissible items cross their border and the taxes (Duties & Excise) are paid for the import.

Who delivers USPS packages in Germany?

Deutsche Post delivers mail and parcel in Germany and the world.

What is German Customs like

How long does it take for Deutsche Post to deliver within Germany?

Most packages can be delivered within a 400-kilometer radius in one day and nationwide within two days.

Why has my package been in customs for so long?

Sometimes customs can hold on to packages for prolonged periods of time. You are very likely to receive your package at some point. Sometimes customs drags their feet. Sometimes the tracking information isn't updated and your package actually is being shipped to you.

How do I know if my package is stuck in customs?

Check Your Mail for a Customs Detainment Letter

Check your company mail for a letter from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection department stating that your package has been detained. If the department is holding your item, officials will notify you usually within a few days but it can take as long as 30 to 45 days.

How long does a package take after clearing customs 2020?

Or how long does it take for the goods to clear customs? If you see the eta of the ship at the delivery port on our tracking system, normally allow a week to get your shipment cleared through customs and unloaded out of the container and then allow up to two weeks on average depending where you live for delivery.

Can customs open your package?

Do customs open every package to verify information? No, customs officers will not open up your package or packages without good reason. Every package is put through a scanner machine, or an x-ray machine, to verify that the items you are shipping match your customs forms.

How long does it take to get through customs?

But if you're not too worried about customs delays, it's not an essential purchase. In any case, travelers can expect a short delay when they enter the USA. That's just the way it is. Without pre-clearance, anticipate as much as an hour at worst, and 5 minutes at best.

How long does an post take to deliver after paying customs?

Irish Revenue have applied a Customs Charge to your An Post delivery. This must be paid within 16 working days. An Post may apply a fee to handle, collect and process the item. Where applicable, this fee will be added to customs charges applied by Revenue.

How does customs work in Germany?

Customs Duties and Taxes on Imports

Germany is party to the European Union's Common Customs Tariff, therefore preferential rates apply to imports from countries which the EU has signed agreements with. Duties range from 0-17%, with the general tariff averaging 4.2%.

How much is customs duty in Germany?

The import tax charged on a shipment will be 19% on the full value of your items. For example, if the declared value of your items is 100 EUR, in order for the recipient to receive a package, an additional amount of 19.00 EUR in taxes will be required to be paid to the destination countries government.

Do you have to pay customs on gifts Germany?

Gift shipments worth more than 45 euros are subject to import duties. A simplified calculation of charges by means of a flat rate of duty may be applied where goods are subject to import tax.

What happens if your package gets seized by customs?

Seized property - Status and returns. The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer that seized the property should have forwarded the case to the appropriate supervisor for approval within 24 hours. The case is then referred to the Fines, Penalties and Forfeitures (FP&F) office within three working days.

What should I do if my package is held by customs?

If your shipment in stuck in customs, first check with your carrier and make sure there are no unpaid taxes. Should you come across unpaid taxes, pay them. If that doesn't work, your next point of contact is the shipper.

Do customs work on weekends?

Except as specified in paragraphs (a) through (g) of this section, each CBP office shall be open for the transactions of general CBP business between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on all days of the year: (a) Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays.

Why are packages delayed in Germany?

Germany's post advises that due to a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 infections among its operational staff and in view of measures to limit the spread of the virus, delays are to be expected in the processing and delivery of inbound and outbound postal items.

Are international packages delayed?

Due to COVID-19, international shipping has been suspended to many countries. According to Domestic Mail Manual 604.9.2.3, customers are entitled to a full refund of their postage costs when service to the country of destination is suspended.

Does DHL deliver on Sunday in Germany?

Germany rejects Sunday package deliveries as online shopping booms amid lockdown. Delivery giant DHL is doing a roaring trade during the coronavirus pandemic. It's hiring extra staff, and appealed for special permission to deliver on Sundays — when a lockdown of sorts always applies in Germany.

How long does it take to ship a package from the US to Germany?

Shipping to Germany from the USA takes between 3 to 25 business days (depending on the shipping method). We ship to Germany using carriers like FedEx, DHL, USPS, and Planet Mail. Prices start at around $10 for small packages and you get package tracking as well.

What is prohibited to send to Germany?

Coins; banknotes; currency notes, including paper money; securities of any kind payable to bearer; traveler's checks; platinum, gold, and silver; precious stones; jewelry; watches; and other valuable articles are prohibited in Priority Mail Express International shipments to Germany.

What items Cannot be mailed to Germany?