1. Your category in Germany
Pick your category and this section shows what we actually hold for Germany: how many potential buyers we have verified, what roles they play in the supply chain, and how well they fit. Switch back to All industries at any time.
“Potential buyers” means the buyers we have verified and listed in our own directory — not every importer in the country. Buyer roles are our own grouping of the roles recorded in that directory. (89 of these records do not yet carry a recorded buyer role.)
2. Entry gate
The first gate an exporter has to clear. Germany applies the EU product rulebook in full, and — this is what catches first-time sellers — four separate obligations sit behind the CE mark, three of which require an EU-established representative. A non-EU manufacturer cannot discharge them alone.
| Requirement | Status | What it involves | Lead time | Cost | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CE marking | Mandatory | Electrical products fall under the Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU), EMC Directive (2014/30/EU) and, where radio is present, the Radio Equipment Directive (2014/53/EU). The manufacturer issues a Declaration of Conformity and holds a technical file; there is no central approval — responsibility sits with the manufacturer | 4–10 weeks (self-declaration route) | Pending | Pending |
| EU authorised representative | Required for non-EU sellers | For several obligations a manufacturer outside the EU must appoint an EU-established authorised representative or importer to hold the declarations | 1–2 weeks | Pending | Pending |
| WEEE registration (ElektroG) | Mandatory | Every electrical product placed on the German market must be registered with stiftung ear before it is sold; registration requires a German or EU representative and a brand and device-type entry | 2–6 weeks | Pending | Pending |
| Packaging registration (VerpackG / LUCID) | Mandatory | Packaging placed on the market must be registered in the LUCID register and licensed through a dual system; this applies to the shipping packaging too | 1–3 weeks | Pending | Pending |
| Battery Act (BattG) / EU Battery Regulation | Mandatory for batteries | Products containing batteries carry separate registration and take-back obligations, and the EU Battery Regulation adds carbon-footprint and due-diligence requirements on a phased timetable | Pending | Pending | Pending |
| Tariff (EU common external tariff) | Always applies | Average applied MFN tariff around 1.95% (2022, weighted mean). Rates vary by HS line — confirm in the EU TARIC database. Machinery and electrical goods are often 0–2.7% | — | On customs value | Pending |
| VAT (Umsatzsteuer) | Always applies | 19% standard rate on imports, charged on CIF plus duty. An importer with a German VAT number can normally reclaim it | — | 19% | 2026-10 |
Certification, tariff and clearance figures change. Every row above carries a verification date, and the current requirement is confirmed with your nominated local agent before each shipment.
3. Buyers and channel partners
Leading buyers and channel partners
Every company below is a real business in Germany taken from our own buyer research, and we have verified that its website is reachable. Names and business types are public; decision-makers, direct emails and phone numbers are reserved for members of the Buyer Directory.
How to use this list: do not mass-mail. German purchasing is specification-led — send the technical file, the CE Declaration of Conformity and the WEEE registration number before you send a price.
4. Demand and import profile
Select your HS code and this block shows the import performance of your own category in Germany — not the country's macro numbers.
Import size & growth
Example: Germany is one of the largest importers of static converters in the world, driven by industrial automation, the energy transition and building electrification.
Example values · to be replaced with OEC / WITS data for your HS line
Source-country mix
Example: China, the Netherlands, Czechia, the US and Italy lead the source list, with a high share of intra-EU trade in components.
Example values · to be replaced with OEC / WITS data for your HS line
Price band
Example: Germany buys across the whole price range but anchors on total cost of ownership — service life, warranty and spares matter more than unit price.
Example values · to be replaced with customs / trade data
What we can supply to this market
These are the lines we have found the strongest fit for Germany. Specifications are on the product pages; tell us your application and we will confirm the model.
5. Landed-cost calculator
A static table cannot persuade anyone. Enter your own numbers and see the landed cost. Duty rate and freight are editable so you can test scenarios.
Your shipment
Estimated landed cost
Illustrative calculation only. It excludes anti-dumping duty, excise, port storage and any category-specific surcharge. Confirm the duty rate and local charges with your forwarder before making a commitment.
6. Logistics and customs
Clearance-day figures change with congestion and policy; treat as indicative and confirm before quoting.
7. Payment, currency and tax
8. Localisation and communication
These are the details nobody tells you, and one mistake can cost you a customer.
9. Risks and timing
Frequently asked questions
Is CE marking enough to sell electrical products in Germany?
No. CE marking is necessary but not sufficient. Products must also be registered for WEEE with stiftung ear, their packaging must be registered in LUCID and licensed through a dual system, and products containing batteries carry separate obligations. Each of these requires an EU-established representative for a non-EU manufacturer.
Can I act as the importer of record myself?
For most obligations you cannot do it alone. A manufacturer established outside the EU must appoint an EU-established authorised representative or work through an importer for the declarations, the ear registration and the packaging registration.
What is the import duty on my product?
The average applied MFN rate is around 1.95%, but the rate depends on the HS line — check the EU TARIC database. Machinery and electrical goods are often between 0% and 2.7%.
How much is VAT on imports?
19% standard rate, charged on the CIF value plus duty. An importer with a German VAT number can normally reclaim it, so it is a cash-flow item rather than a cost.
What payment terms are normal?
Open account with 30–60 day terms is standard for established buyers, with T/T or a deposit on first orders. German buyers pay reliably. Invoice in EUR.
Which port should I ship to?
Hamburg is the usual first choice for deep-sea container traffic, with Bremerhaven and Wilhelmshaven as alternatives and Rotterdam or Antwerp serving many German inland points. Rail via China–Europe block trains is a competitive option for inland destinations.