E-commerce and retail freight
We move stock from factories in Asia to fulfilment centres and warehouses in Germany and the EU, with customs clearance and carton preparation on the way.
Who this is for
Online sellers who buy from manufacturers in China, India or Pakistan and import the stock themselves.
Also brands that sell in Germany and the EU through their own shop, marketplaces or retailers, and need regular replenishment that arrives labelled and on time.
From factory to fulfilment centre
Booking at the factory
Your supplier tells us when the goods are ready. Under FOB the supplier delivers to the port and clears export. Under EXW we collect from the factory door.
Sea or air to Germany
The goods travel to Hamburg by container, or by air if they are urgent.
Customs clearance
We lodge the import declaration. Duty and import VAT are paid and the goods are released.
Preparation
If cartons need labels, repacking or palletising for the fulfilment centre, that is done before delivery.
Booked delivery
We book a delivery slot where one is required and deliver by road.
Which mode for which stock
LCL for smaller replenishment
Less than container load: your cartons share a container and you pay by volume or weight.
FCL for regular volume
A full container for your goods alone. From somewhere around 15 cubic metres it is worth comparing the price of a 20-foot container with LCL.
Sea freight from Asia to HamburgAir for launches and stock-outs
Days in place of weeks, at a much higher cost per kilo.
Air freightCustoms and VAT points sellers trip over
This is a general description, not legal or tax advice. Check your own case with a tax adviser.
- EORI and VAT registration. To import in your own name you need an EORI number (the EU customs registration number) and usually a German or EU VAT registration. Without the VAT registration you cannot reclaim the import VAT.
- Product compliance. The importer of record, the party named as importer on the customs declaration, is responsible for the product meeting EU rules. That includes CE marking where it applies.
- EU responsible person. For many product groups, the Market Surveillance Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 requires an economic operator established in the EU whose name and address appear on the product or its packaging.
- Packaging. Under the German Packaging Act (Verpackungsgesetz) you must register in the LUCID packaging register before you sell packaged goods in Germany.
- Marketplace prep. Carton labels, pallet rules and delivery appointments differ from one marketplace to the next and change often. Follow the marketplace’s current guide, and send it to us with the booking.
More on declarations, duty and import VAT: Customs clearance in Germany.
Labelling, repacking and storage
Factory cartons rarely arrive exactly as the fulfilment centre wants them. Barcode labels, carton labels, repacking into smaller cartons and building pallets can be done in Germany after clearance. See Warehousing in Germany.
Peak season planning
Two periods catch sellers out every year. Before Q4, space on ships gets tight and fulfilment centres set inbound deadlines for Black Friday and Christmas stock. Order earlier than the transit time alone suggests.
Chinese New Year falls in late January or February. Factories close for two weeks or more, so place orders early enough for goods to leave the factory well before the holiday.
Common questions from online sellers
Can I import into Germany if my company is outside the EU?
In general yes, with an EORI number and an indirect customs representative based in the EU. How import VAT is handled depends on your VAT registration, so clarify that with a tax adviser first.
Do you deliver to marketplace fulfilment centres?
Yes. We deliver by road in Germany and the EU and book the delivery appointment where the fulfilment centre requires one.
How long does sea freight from China to Hamburg take?
Typically several weeks port to port, plus time for pick-up, customs and delivery.
My supplier offers DDP. Is that a problem?
Not in itself, but ask who is named as importer on the German declaration and whose VAT number is used. If nobody can tell you, you may be unable to reclaim the import VAT.
Can you relabel cartons before they go to the fulfilment centre?
Yes. Send us the label files and the marketplace’s current requirements, and the cartons are labelled before delivery.
Get your next stock order quoted
Send carton count, dimensions, weight and your supplier’s city. We reply within 24 business hours with an itemised quote.
Request a quote