Moving from the US to Germany
German customs treats a move from the US as a transfer of residence, which can bring household goods in free of import duty and import turnover tax when conditions are met.
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The test turns on how long you lived abroad, how long you have owned and used each item, and when the shipment is cleared. Overseas freight usually means a sea container or air freight, cleared in writing on a dedicated customs form.
Documents and customs basics
Meet the residence test
Zoll states that the normal place of residence outside the EU must have been maintained for at least twelve months, with exceptions where an employment contract shows you intended to stay abroad that long. The new residence in Germany must be established, even if only temporarily. Source
Show six months of ownership and use
Goods must actually belong to the person moving and, if they are not consumables, have been used for at least six months before the move. Invoices and contracts of sale are the suggested proof, and the goods may only serve the same purposes at the new home. Source
Time the clearance
Duty-free clearance is only possible within twelve months after the move to Germany, and shipments can be split as long as that overall period holds. Goods can come earlier if you commit to settling within six months and provide a security. Source
File the written declaration
A written declaration on form 0350 is required for goods claiming this relief. Goods stay under customs supervision for twelve months, so they cannot be lent, pledged, hired out or transferred during that time. Source
Watch exclusions and vehicles
Alcohol, tobacco, commercial transport and trade articles do not count, and weapons, ammunition and protected species items need approvals or are banned. A vehicle registered in a third country is subject to German vehicle tax on release. Source
Exporting a car from the US side
When a used vehicle is exported by sea or air, CBP requires the documentation, starting with the original certificate of title, and the vehicle itself to be presented at least 72 hours before export. Source
What your estimate needs
Your estimate starts from your inventory: the rooms, the larger items and anything that needs special handling, such as a vehicle. Share your list and your move date, and your consultant confirms the details for your route.
FAQ
Moving from the US to Germany
What should I send for a Germany estimate?
A room-by-room inventory of the home. Large furniture, appliances and anything unusually heavy are the items that move the estimate most.
Is there a limit on how much I can ship?
Zoll says there are no specific numerical limits on type or quantity, but the goods must have no commercial character.
Do I need to prove I owned things for six months?
For non-consumable items, yes, and the examples Zoll gives are invoices and contracts of sale.
Is the customs form online only?
The guidance describes a written application on form 0350, with a translation aid published for English speakers.
Sources
- German Customs (Zoll): Transferring residence (opens in a new tab)
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Exporting a Motor Vehicle (opens in a new tab)
Last updated November 1, 2026
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