Parcel Forwarding from the UK to Germany

Q: Can I shop UK retailers that don't ship to Germany?

Yes. A free Send2Hub UK address gives access to any UK retailer. Use it at checkout, the parcel arrives at the Stoke-on-Trent warehouse and is forwarded to Germany. The Shop and Ship service can purchase items if a retailer doesn't accept German cards.

Q: Do UK-origin goods qualify for reduced duty under the UK-EU Trade Agreement?

Yes — for goods genuinely originating in the UK. The UK-EU TCA provides zero or reduced duty rates with proper documentation. Goods manufactured outside the UK do not qualify.

Q: Can I consolidate multiple orders before shipping to Germany?

Yes. Hold parcels in free storage and combine into one shipment — saving 40-60% on shipping. Free storage: 30 days Individual, 45 days Business, 60 days Premium.

Germany is one of the largest ecommerce markets in Europe and home to a significant community of UK expats and British brand enthusiasts. Many popular UK retailers do not ship directly to Germany, or charge high international delivery fees that make individual purchases impractical. Send2Hub gives you a real UK delivery address at our secure warehouse in Stoke-on-Trent. Shop any UK retailer, consolidate your purchases to save on shipping costs, and we forward everything to your address in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Cologne or anywhere in Germany — with full post-Brexit customs support on every shipment.

Shop Any UK Retailer and Ship to Germany

Your free Send2Hub UK address gives you access to the full range of UK online retail — including stores that do not offer direct shipping to Germany. Popular UK brands that Send2Hub customers in Germany regularly shop include ASOS, Next, Marks & Spencer, Boots, The Body Shop, Barbour, Hunter, Ted Baker, John Lewis, Amazon UK and many more. Use your Send2Hub address at checkout as you would any UK delivery address — your parcel arrives at our warehouse, is automatically photographed, weighed and measured on arrival, and full details appear in your real-time account dashboard immediately.

Save money with parcel consolidation. Hold multiple UK purchases in free temporary storage and combine them into a single outbound shipment before forwarding to Germany. Consolidation typically reduces international shipping costs by 40–60% and simplifies customs — one shipment, one customs declaration, one delivery. Learn more on our parcel consolidation page.

If a UK retailer does not accept your German payment card or does not offer international checkout, our Shop & Ship service can purchase items on your behalf.

For Businesses — UK Returns Address for German Sellers

If you sell on Amazon UK, eBay UK, Shopify or any other UK marketplace from Germany, a UK returns address is essential for maintaining competitive seller ratings and meeting marketplace requirements. Send2Hub provides a professional UK returns address at our Stoke-on-Trent warehouse. Every return is automatically received, photographed and inspected on arrival — with full condition details and images in your real-time account dashboard the same day. Returns can be held in free temporary storage for consolidation before being re-shipped back to Germany in a single cost-effective shipment. Learn more on our e-commerce returns management page.

UK to Germany Customs — Post-Brexit Guide

Since Brexit, the UK is treated as a third country by EU customs authorities. All goods shipped from the UK to Germany are subject to EU import rules — including customs duties and German VAT (Mehrwertsteuer, MwSt). German customs is administered by the Zollamt (German Customs). Understanding the current rules is essential to avoid unexpected charges and delays.

Customs Duties on UK Imports

All parcels shipped from the UK to Germany are now subject to EU customs duties regardless of value. Duty rates vary by product category and are calculated using the EU harmonised tariff system (HS codes). Rates for common consumer goods typically range from 0% to 12%. Goods that genuinely originate in the UK may qualify for zero or reduced duty rates under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) — provided accurate documentation and a statement of origin are included. Goods manufactured outside the UK and forwarded via Send2Hub do not qualify for TCA preferential rates. Use our worldwide customs duty estimator for an indication of charges.

German VAT (Mehrwertsteuer — MwSt)

German MwSt applies to all goods imported from the UK at the standard rate of 19% for most goods. A reduced rate of 7% applies to certain categories including books, food and cultural items. MwSt is calculated on the total CIF value of the shipment (cost + insurance + freight) plus any applicable customs duty. If a UK seller is registered for the EU Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) scheme, VAT is collected at checkout for qualifying parcels — resulting in a smoother delivery experience without border payment requirements. Major UK platforms including Amazon UK and eBay are already IOSS-registered.

EU Customs Reform — What to Expect

The EU has introduced significant reforms to how small parcels are handled at customs, removing previous duty exemptions for low-value goods. All parcels entering Germany from the UK — regardless of value — are now subject to customs duties and handling fees. We recommend using our customs duty estimator to calculate the full cost of your shipment before ordering, and checking the latest guidance from the German Zollamt for up-to-date rates.

Required Documentation

Standard documentation for customs clearance in Germany includes a commercial invoice with accurate item descriptions, HS codes, declared values and country of origin, a packing list and an air waybill or bill of lading. For commercial imports, an EORI number is required. Send2Hub prepares all standard customs export documentation for every outbound shipment from our UK warehouse.

Restricted and Prohibited Items

Germany follows EU import restrictions. Prohibited or restricted items include weapons and ammunition, controlled substances, counterfeit goods, certain food and agricultural products and goods not meeting EU product safety standards. Visit our prohibited and restricted items page for full details.

Delivery Times from UK to Germany

DHL Express: 2–3 business days — DHL is headquartered in Germany and offers exceptional coverage across the country with full tracking.

DPD: 2–4 business days — strong European coverage with precise tracking and excellent German delivery network.

FedEx International: 2–4 business days — reliable express with comprehensive tracking.

UPS Worldwide: 3–5 business days — strong for business shipments with detailed tracking.

Royal Mail / Parcelforce: 3–7 business days — cost-effective option for lighter shipments.

All transit times exclude customs clearance. Use our shipping cost calculator to compare live rates across all available carriers.

Frequently Asked Questions — UK to Germany Shipping

Can I shop UK retailers that don't ship to Germany?

Yes. Your free Send2Hub UK address gives you access to any UK retailer — including those that only ship domestically within the UK. Use your Send2Hub address at checkout, your parcel arrives at our Stoke-on-Trent warehouse and we forward it to Germany. If a UK retailer does not accept your German payment card, our Shop & Ship service can purchase items on your behalf.

What customs charges apply when shipping from UK to Germany?

All UK parcels entering Germany are subject to EU customs duties and German MwSt of 19%. Duty rates vary by product type (typically 0–12%). Previous duty exemptions for low-value goods have been removed under EU customs reform. Use our customs duty estimator for a breakdown of charges for your specific shipment.

Do UK-origin goods qualify for reduced duty under the UK-EU Trade Agreement?

Yes — for goods that genuinely originate in the UK. The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) provides zero or reduced customs duty rates for qualifying UK-origin goods with proper documentation. Goods manufactured outside the UK and forwarded via Send2Hub do not qualify for TCA preferential rates.

Can I consolidate multiple orders before shipping to Germany?

Yes. Hold multiple parcels in free temporary storage and combine them into a single outbound shipment — saving 40–60% on shipping costs and simplifying customs clearance. Free storage: 30 days Individual, 45 days Business, 60 days Premium. One consolidated shipment means one customs declaration and one set of handling fees.

Which is the best carrier for shipping from UK to Germany?

DHL is particularly well-suited for Germany given its headquarters and extensive domestic network there. DPD also offers excellent German coverage. For business shipments, UPS provides strong tracking and reliable delivery across all German states. Compare all available rates and transit times using our shipping cost calculator.

Ready to start shopping UK retailers and shipping to Germany? Register free and get your UK address in under two minutes. Questions? Get in touch with our team.