Germany is the economic powerhouse of Europe and a critical market for Canadian businesses. It is also one of the strictest jurisdictions for import compliance. This guide covers the essentials for shipping from Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver to Berlin and beyond.
Quick answer
To ship from Canada to Germany in 2026, use Canada Post for personal items under 2 kg and Jet Worldwide air for commercial parcels in 3 to 5 days. B2C sellers must register packaging in LUCID, invoices need precise descriptions and HS codes, and low-value e-commerce parcels pay a flat €3 duty per tariff category.
2026 shipping fact sheet: Canada to Germany
| Shipping mode | Best for | Est. cost (CAD) | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada Post (surface) | Personal items (under 2 kg) | $35 to $45 | 30 to 60 days |
| Xpresspost International | Tracked documents and small parcels | ~ $95 | 5 to 10 days |
| Jet Worldwide | Commercial parcels and air freight | Quote based | 3 to 5 days |
Costs and transit times are estimates and vary with weight, fuel surcharges and the delivery postal code.
Get our lowest spot quote for shipping to Germany
Canada and Germany in numbers
Germany sells far more to Canada than Canada sells to Germany, so westbound freight is plentiful. Eastbound commerce to Germany is where Canadian companies have room to grow.
CAD +30.5 billion
Merchandise trade between Canada and Germany is dominated by Germany exports to Canada.
Top 10
Germany's rank among Canada's merchandise trading partners
#1 EU
Germany is Europe's largest economy.
Our team recommendations for shipping to Germany:
- For individuals shipping small packages to Germany, Canada Post Small Packet options are usually the best option.
- The best rate for commercial packages and heavier parcel to Germany are via global couriers and their partners
- Air freight is best for shipments up to around 200 kilograms chargeable weight (request a rate to Germany)
- Ocean freight is best for large bulk shipments and containerized freight
Critical: the German packaging rules (VerpackG to VerpackDG)
If you ship goods to consumers in Germany (B2C), you must comply with German packaging law. German customs and market surveillance authorities actively check for this.
Canadian producers not established in Germany must appoint an authorized representative in Germany.
Compliance action required
Marketplaces like Amazon and eBay are tasked with efforts to block non-compliant sellers.
The 3 steps to compliance:
- Register with LUCID: You must register in the LUCID Packaging Register.
- License your packaging
- Report data
Perfecting your commercial invoice for Germany
German Customs (Zoll) is known for being meticulous. Vague descriptions like "Samples" or "Gift" will result in delays or returns. Your invoice must be precise.
Required fields
- EORI numbers: Include the receiver's EORI number (for business shipments).
- HS codes: At least the 6-digit Harmonized System code for every item. Adding the 8-digit EU Combined Nomenclature code helps the German declarant classify faster.
- Precise descriptions including how the products will be used
- Value breakdown: List unit price, total value, shipping cost and insurance separately.
- Reason for export: Sale, repair, return or gift.
Description rewrites that clear faster
| Instead of | Write | HS code |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes | Men's knitted cotton T-shirt | 6109.10 |
| Parts | Replacement bicycle brake pads | 8714.94 |
| Cosmetics | Moisturising face cream, 50 ml jar | 3304.99 |
Jet Worldwide data
Of the Canada-to-Germany shipments Jet Worldwide handled over 50% of customs holds can be traced back to the invoice. Most often a vague description, incorrect value or a missing receiver EORI, rather than to the goods themselves.
Product identifiers (PID) for B2C shipments
Every shipment to a German consumer (a business-to-consumer, or B2C, sale) must include product identifier (PID) information for each item, whatever the shipment's value.
PIDs do not apply to business-to-business (B2B) shipments sent to a VAT-registered business.
Claiming CETA duty-free treatment
To claim 0 percent duty under CETA, the goods must originate in Canada and the invoice or another commercial document must carry an origin declaration.
- The €6,000 threshold is an EU rule for exports to Canada. EU exporters need a REX number above €6,000; Canadian exporters use their business number instead.
- Keep your records. Canadian exporters must keep supporting documents for at least six years.
- Origin, not shipping point, decides. Goods made elsewhere and shipped from Toronto do not qualify.
€3 duty and handling fee on low-value parcels
E-commerce parcels to German consumers with a value of up to €150 pay a flat €3 + €2 customs duty and fee. The application is for each distinct item category (tariff sub-heading) in the parcel. The measure is temporary and scheduled to apply until 1 July 2028.
Worked example
- The order: 3 silk blouses at €35 each plus 1 wool blouse at €35, a total of €140.
- The assessment: silk and wool blouses have different tariff sub-headings (6206.10 and 6206.20), so there are two distinct categories in the box.
- The duty: 2 categories x €3 = €6 total customs duty. The three silk blouses count once.
- The handling fee: a separate per-consignment fee that EU member states must start collecting by 1 November 2026 at the latest. Its amount is set at EU level; about €2 is a common planning figure, not a confirmed rate.
- The VAT: 19 percent German VAT, either €26.60 charged at checkout under IOSS (19 percent of €140), or €27.74 collected at import without IOSS (19 percent of €146, because import VAT is charged on the value plus duty).
Canadian sellers should also confirm with their broker whether a CETA origin claim changes the flat duty in their flow. VAT applies either way.
German import VAT and IOSS
Germany charges import VAT (Einfuhrumsatzsteuer) at 19 percent on most goods and 7 percent on reduced-rate items such as most food and books. There has been no VAT exemption for small consignments since 1 July 2021, so every parcel is taxable.
For consignments up to €150, the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) lets you charge German VAT even if the first port of entry is not Germany. This allows sellers to consolidate all their European orders and use a single consolidation point (such as the Netherlands for France).
Get a shipping quote for Germany
Please feel free to send us your shipment details to Germany for a shipping quote:
- Postal code in Canada of the pick-up location
- Postal code of delivery in Germany
- Commodity and tariff classification (if known)
- Weight and dimensions
- Cargo ready date
- Preferred mode of transport (air or ocean)
- Required Incoterm (delivered duty paid or unpaid?)
Need help with German customs?
Jet Worldwide helps Canadian businesses navigate EU logistics.
Logistics resource index
- HS classification guide
- CETA duty-free explained
- Ocean versus air analysis
- CIF value calculation
- Shipping to Europe from Canada
Expert FAQ: shipping Canada to Germany
Does CETA apply to everything?
No. Simply buying a product from Canada does not qualify for 0 percent duty. The goods must qualify as originating under CETA Rules of Origin.
What is the IOSS?
The Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) allows you to collect VAT at checkout for shipments up to €150 and pay it through one monthly EU return. This enables sellers to consolidate their orders an import via any European gateway (such as AMS or CDG).
Can I ship food to Germany?
Shipping food is complex. Germany applies strict EU rules on meat and dairy, which generally cannot be sent from outside the EU. Non-perishable, store-bought items in original packaging are generally safer, but always verify restrictions. Contact our team for dry ice shipping.
What happens if I do not register my packaging in Germany?
Failing to license your packaging with a dual system can bring fines.
How much duty do I pay on a parcel to Germany under €150?
A flat €3 customs duty + €2 handling fee for each distinct tariff category in the parce. For example, two different colour shirts with the same classification on different lines will be charged twice.
