Shipping from the USA to Germany: Costs, Advantages, Providers

Anyone who regularly sends parcels or goods from the USA to Germany knows that although some rules should be observed, the whole procedure is rather simple. Among other things, it is important, especially with regard to the shipping costs for shipping from the US to Germany, to consider the prices of the different shipping providers. Since these are partly composed of different factors, there can be significant differences in the pricing structure.

To keep the shipping costs for shipping from the USA to Germany as low as possible, the sender should take some time to find out which solution is the most economical one.

Which transportation method should be selected for the shipping USA – Germany?

Two options are known to be available here: plane and ship. The two options differ mainly with regard to the price and the time it takes to get the shipment to the respective recipient in Germany.

When comparing directly the shipping costs USA to Germany, it is unfortunately not possible to speak of the cheapest shipping USA Germany. The prices depend among other things on the weight and the measures of the packages.

Furthermore, please note that the shipping location in the USA is decisive: If the supplier or shipper is centrally located in the USA, higher transport costs are incurred due to the longer transport distances to the port. The other way round, the proximity to the port can have a positive effect on the shipping costs to Germany – the price drops.

NOTE: You want to send a shipment with comparatively small dimensions? Then it may be worthwhile to choose a mix of ocean freight and Less Container Load (LCL). In this case you share a container with other shippers and thus usually benefit from the lower prices. This shipping method is usually economically attractive up to a volume of 15 cubic meters.

Another advantage when deciding for a transport via ship is that much heavier shipments can be transported at lower prices than by air as well.

How long does the import from the USA to Germany take?

If the aim is to import goods from the USA to Germany as quickly as possible, the sender is naturally also interested in the time it takes for the addressee to receive the respective parcels. The basic rule here is: The faster, the more expensive. Usually, a shipping time of four weeks should be expected if a package is sent by sea from the east coast to the European continent. If the shipment starts from the west coast, six to seven weeks are not uncommon.

Those who decide to ship by air freight pay more. Here, however, the customer does not have to wait that long before he can hold his shipment in his hands. Based on an appropriate budget, deliveries can be realized here within three days (sometimes even faster). The delivery times for the low-cost version are about ten to twelve days.

Courier Service or Standard Air Freight?

Another question that is likely to play an important role, especially for commercial customers, is the following: Should shipments be made via the standard route (i.e. on board a passenger aircraft) or via a classic courier service, such as …

• TNT
• UPS
• FedEx

Also with regard to the answer to this question, the costs for shipping from the USA to Germany differ in part significantly from each other. On the other hand, the services offered in connection with a courier service are often more customer-friendly. Anyone wishing to reduce their shipping costs to Germany should inquire about possible special rates from the various providers – especially with regard to larger quantities.

Comparison of providers: Prices for shipping from US to Germany

The cheapest shipping USA-Germany might not always be the best solution but even the biggest players do have rates which you might feel appealing.

The following table should serve as an orientation to estimate the approximate shipping costs from USA to Germany in advance. The information is subject to change without notice, as the shipping provider may change prices at any time.

Package size (kg)	FedEx	UPS	DHL	USPS
Up to 2kg	$188,88 – $255,81	$171,97	$55,81	$63,01 – $73.14
2,01kg – 5kg	$238,93 – $296,18	$182,26 – $253,11	$88,76	$102,98 – $120,37
5,01kg – 10kg	$352,25 – $412,90	$ 260,21 – $324,49	$130,98	$131,55 – $166,65
10,01kg – 20kg	$584,69 – $794,38	$ 335,43 – $422,80	$214,91	$188,86 – $260,58

Customs, taxes and Co. – What commercial shippers should consider

Companies wishing to import goods from the USA into Germany must observe certain regulations in order to be legally on the safe side.

Among other things, it is necessary to register for an EORI number, for example. Only companies with such a number are authorized to import or export goods within and outside the EU. When importing goods from the USA to Germany, also consider the following aspects:

• Observe any restrictions with regard to certain goods
• Apply for an export license if necessary
• Take the applicable customs regulations into account: imported goods from the USA and non-EU countries must be declared. The amount of customs duty is regulated by the customs regulation § 29.
• Know all the important requirements with regard to paying taxes. Contact person for this is the General Customs Service. As long as the customs duties and VAT, which are due for the imported goods, are not paid, the customs will retain the goods.
• Reveal the freight price. If this is not apparent, the value of the imported goods is estimated to determine the customs duties.
• Provide transparent information on the payment of freight costs. Decisive here is who pays the freight costs. If the sender from the USA pays it, it is essential to note that these are listed as individual items on the invoice. Otherwise the import duty can be charged twice to the importer.

How much does insured shipping from USA to Germany cost?

Depending on the type of goods you are shipping, it may be a good idea to insure them. But: How much does insurance cost for a shipment from the US to Germany? The respective price depends on the value of the goods. As with classic letter or parcel shipping, you simply specify the value in question. The price for the insurance is then calculated automatically. Up to a total value of about €13,000, the price for the insurance is usually less than €100. After that, the insurance costs will be calculated proportionally on a percentage basis.

If you want to save money here, you should never opt for uninsured shipping. If the goods are lost during transport (or if they are damaged), the carrier has only limited liability. This means that (depending on the goods) you will only get back a small fraction of the value of your shipment. The compensation is usually in the following scale:

	Sea freight	Air freight
Compensation scale:	≈ €2,00 per kilogram (kg) per package	≈ €20.00 per kilogram (kg)

Shipping costs USA to Germany: the advantages of well-known providers at a glance

As mentioned above, the price to be paid for shipping from the USA to Germany usually depends on

• the weight,
• the dimensions,
• the chosen insurance,
• and the shipping method.

Tip #1: Organize shipping online

DHL also offers the organization of shipping from the USA as an online option. This often saves a few cents or a euro in connection with parcels in different weight classes and sizes.

For comparison: Posting a parcel with dimensions up to max. 120 x 60 x 60 cm and a weight of up to 20 kilograms costs €75.99 online and €76.99 at the branch. By the way, insurance up to €500 is included in both variants.

Tip #2: Use the advantages of day-definite delivery

This is where UPS scores. On the company’s website, customers have the opportunity to obtain exact information about the marginal data of a binding delivery within a comparatively narrow time window of a few hours. Also the mentioned added value services might be quite interesting here. Customers have the choice between “extras”, such as delivery notification and various pickup and delivery options.

Tip #3: No compromises for valuable shipments

Many companies that are interested in a mix of customer-friendly shipping costs and a wide range of services opt for FedEx. The company is not only specialized in classic transports, but also in the transport of heavy or large parcels, transportation of dangerous goods, dry ice shipping, and much more.

Which company is the best for shipping my goods from USA to Germany?

Since the shipping costs for shipments from the USA to Germany depend on several factors (including the expectations of the parties involved), it is not possible to speak of the “best solution” here.

Rather it applies to consider with the direct comparison between the individual providers the basic conditions again and again and, as a big customer, to ask also for appropriate rates.

Nevertheless, it can be summarized that shipping service providers such as DHL, FedEx and UPS are much more convenient as they take over their customs and tax liabilities upon import. Thus the import of goods from the USA to Germany is usually uncomplicated and efficient.

The shipping service providers charge a corresponding fee for this. In the case of letter mailings (USPS) from the USA to Germany, the local post office usually takes over the customs and tax liabilities. Of course, these must then be paid back to the local post office in the country of destination at the time of pickup.