The rules for German parcels in 2026
Germany follows EU import rules, and 2026 brought a significant change. Before July, parcels up to €150 paid import VAT but no customs duty. Since 1 July 2026, the EU charges a temporary flat customs duty of €3 per item on those low-value parcels, planned until July 2028. Import VAT, Einfuhrumsatzsteuer, still applies to every parcel at 19% (7% for some goods).
| Parcel value | Import VAT | Customs duty |
|---|---|---|
| Up to €150 | 19% from the first euro | €3 per item (since 1 July 2026) |
| Above €150 | 19% | Normal rate by product type |
Count 19% VAT plus €3 per item on small parcels; above €150, full duty applies.
IOSS lines: the easiest route
Most German buyers are best served by an IOSS line. The line's operator is registered for the EU's IOSS scheme and collects import VAT when you pay for shipping, so the parcel arrives without anything to pay at the door. The €3 duty also applies on IOSS lines, and many collect it upfront too; check the line description. Lines labelled "EU IOSS" or "tax free" are the ones to look at when you submit a parcel on Oopbuy.
Choose an IOSS line for a final price at checkout and no payment at the door.
Without IOSS: DHL and the customs office
On lines without IOSS, the carrier, often DHL in Germany, pays the import charges for you and collects them before delivery, usually adding a handling fee. Parcels the carrier can't clear may be held at your local customs office, the Zollamt. You'll get a notice and need to collect the parcel in person with proof of value: your Oopbuy order history and payment receipts usually work. There is a deadline, after which the parcel is returned.
Non-IOSS lines mean fees at the door or a trip to the Zollamt; keep your receipts ready.
Delivery times to Berlin
Allow about a week for items to reach the warehouse and pass QC, then roughly one to two weeks on express or two to four weeks on tax-inclusive economy lines. Customs processing and Chinese holidays add delays. The shipping time guide explains each stage.
Two to five weeks is realistic for German parcels.
Keeping costs down
- Combine items into one parcel to share the first-weight price.
- Count the €3 per item; many tiny items in one parcel add up.
- Remove boxes and vacuum-pack to lower volumetric weight; the calculator includes the €3 duty and VAT.
- Use shipping coupons from your wallet; see the coupon guide.
Fewer, fuller parcels on IOSS lines keep German orders predictable.
Paying from Germany
German buyers often prefer PayPal or Klarna. Oopbuy's checkout usually offers cards and PayPal, with Klarna for eligible buyers, but availability changes. PayPal is described as settling in US dollars, and many German cards charge a foreign-transaction fee on non-euro payments, so check the final amount on your statement. Klarna instalments remain due even if a refund goes to your Oopbuy balance. The German Zahlungsmethoden page covers this in detail.
Check the currency and fees of your payment method, not just the item price.
In German
For a full German-language guide, see Oopbuy Versand und Zoll, Erfahrungen and Oopbuy Spreadsheet auf Deutsch. Customs can also detain goods that infringe trademarks; money for a seized parcel is usually lost.
FAQ
What taxes apply to Oopbuy parcels to Germany?
19% import VAT on every parcel, and since 1 July 2026 a flat EU customs duty of €3 per item on parcels up to €150. Above €150, normal customs duty rates apply.
What is an IOSS line?
A line registered for the EU's IOSS scheme collects import VAT at checkout, so the parcel is delivered without further VAT payment.
Why do I have to go to the customs office?
Parcels that can't be cleared by the carrier, for example larger or unclear shipments, may be held at the local customs office (Zollamt) for you to clear in person with proof of value.
How long does shipping to Berlin take?
About a week to the warehouse, then roughly one to two weeks on express or two to four weeks on tax-inclusive economy lines.
Is there a German version of this guide?
Yes. The German pages cover Versand und Zoll, Erfahrungen and Zahlungsmethoden in detail.