US to Germany Shipping: Complete Guide
Rates, EU customs, and VAT requirements for shipping to Germany
How much does it cost to ship from US to Germany?
US to Germany shipping costs $15-$25 for packages under 1 lb, $30-$50 for 1-5 lb packages, and $50-$150+ for heavier items. Delivery takes 6-12 business days via standard service or 3-5 days express. Germany charges 19% VAT on all imported goods. For items under €150, sellers should use IOSS to collect VAT at checkout.
Compare Shipping Rates
Real rates through ShipWave - save up to 54% vs retail
| Carrier | Service | Price | Delivery Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USPS | First-Class Intl (8 oz) | $15.50 | 7-21 days | Cheapest |
| USPS | Priority Mail Intl (2 lb) | $45.50 | 6-10 days | |
| DHL | Express (2 lb) | $68.00 | 3-4 days | |
| UPS | Worldwide Expedited (5 lb) | $92.00 | 3-5 days | |
| FedEx | International Economy (5 lb) | $82.00 | 4-5 days |
First-Class Intl (8 oz)
Priority Mail Intl (2 lb)
Express (2 lb)
Worldwide Expedited (5 lb)
International Economy (5 lb)
* Prices shown are discounted ShipWave rates. Actual rates vary by exact dimensions, weight, and origin/destination.
Get Your Shipping Rate
Compare rates from multiple carriers and save up to 54% on shipping costs
Get Rate
German VAT and EU Customs Rules
Germany applies EU customs rules with additional German requirements:
VAT (Mehrwertsteuer): 19% on all imported goods (7% reduced rate for books, food). No de minimis - VAT applies from €0.
IOSS Required: For goods under €150, sellers should register for EU Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) to collect VAT at purchase. Without IOSS, recipients pay VAT plus handling fees upon delivery.
Customs Duty: Applied on goods over €150, rates vary by product category. Combined with VAT, total import costs can reach 25-35%.
The IOSS Advantage for German Shipments
The EU's Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) simplifies shipping to Germany:
With IOSS: You collect 19% VAT at checkout, include IOSS number on customs forms, and packages clear customs without recipient fees.
Without IOSS: German customs holds package, recipient receives notice, they pay 19% VAT plus €6-12 handling fee to receive package.
For businesses shipping regularly to Germany, IOSS registration (or using a marketplace like Amazon/eBay that handles IOSS) dramatically improves customer experience.
Carrier Options for US to Germany
USPS: Most affordable. First-Class Intl (under 4 lbs) takes 7-21 days. Priority Mail Intl (6-10 days) is more reliable. Delivered by Deutsche Post.
DHL: German company, excellent for Germany shipments. 3-4 day delivery, superior tracking, efficient customs. Worth premium for important packages.
UPS/FedEx: 3-5 day express options. Strong for business shipments. Economy services available.
Note: DHL is German-owned and has the smoothest customs process for Germany-bound packages.
Pro Tips to Save More
Use DHL for best German experience
As a German company, DHL has the smoothest customs clearance and best delivery network in Germany. Premium is often worth it.
Register for IOSS to avoid customer friction
Without IOSS, German recipients pay VAT + €6-12 handling fee on delivery. This causes complaints and refused deliveries. IOSS eliminates this.
Include HS codes on all shipments
German customs is thorough. Accurate HS codes speed clearance. Missing or incorrect codes cause delays and potential penalties.
Understand German address format
German addresses use: Name, Street + Number, PLZ (5-digit postal code) + City. Example: Max Müller, Hauptstraße 123, 10115 Berlin.
Ship before November for Christmas
German Christmas markets run early December. Ship by November 15th for standard delivery to arrive for holiday gifting.
Frequently Asked Questions
- USPS First-Class International: 7-21 days. USPS Priority Mail International: 6-10 days. DHL Express: 3-4 days. Add 1-2 days for German customs clearance, especially without IOSS.
- Yes, 19% VAT applies to all imports (no de minimis threshold). Customs duty adds 0-12% on goods over €150. Without IOSS, recipients also pay €6-12 handling fee.
- IOSS (Import One-Stop Shop) lets sellers collect EU VAT at checkout. For goods under €150, IOSS is highly recommended to avoid recipient paying VAT + handling fees on delivery.
- USPS First-Class International is cheapest for packages under 4 lbs ($15-35). For heavier items, compare USPS Priority Mail International with economy services from DHL eCommerce.
- No. Germany prohibits CBD products and strictly enforces cannabis regulations. Do not ship any hemp or CBD products to Germany - they will be seized.
Partnered with Leading Shipping Companies
We work with all major carriers to bring you the best rates and service options.
Fast, reliable overnight and ground shipping
Available Services:
Comprehensive shipping solutions worldwide
Available Services:
Affordable shipping to every address in the US
Available Services:
Leading international shipping and logistics
Available Services:
Real-Time Rates
Live pricing from all carriers updated continuously for accuracy.
Volume Discounts
The more you ship, the more you save with our tiered pricing.
Customer Support
24/7 support to help with all your shipping questions and needs.
Related Shipping Guides
Popular Shipping Calculators
Hear from Our Customers
Join thousands of satisfied customers who are saving money and time with ShipWave.
Sarah Johnson
Saved $2,400Handmade Crafts Co.
"ShipWave has saved us thousands on shipping costs. The interface is so easy to use, and the savings are incredible. Highly recommend!"
Mike Chen
Saved $5,600Tech Gadgets Store
"As an e-commerce business, shipping costs were killing our margins. ShipWave changed everything - we now save 45% on every shipment."
Lisa Rodriguez
Saved $1,800Boutique Fashion
"The rate comparison feature is amazing. I can see all options at once and choose what works best for each customer. Game changer!"
David Thompson
Saved $8,200Home Goods Direct
"Customer service is outstanding and the platform never goes down. We process hundreds of labels weekly without any issues."
Ready to Save on Shipping?
Compare rates from all major carriers and save up to 54% on your next shipment.
Free to use. No account required.