Germany Customs Duty Rates 2025: A Trade Guide to the Heart of Europe

Germany, the driving force of the European Union, is one of the most important trading partners for many countries, including Turkey. It experiences intense import and export traffic, particularly in sectors such as industry, automotive, textiles, and electronics.

So, what customs duty rates will apply when sending goods to or importing from Germany as of 2025? You can find all the details in this blog.

How Do Customs Duties Work in Germany?

Because Germany is a member of the European Union, it is subject to EU Customs Union rules. Therefore, companies importing to Germany are subject to the common EU-wide customs tariff system. This system is called:

TARIC (The Integrated Tariff of the European Communities)

In this system, duty rates are determined based on the product's:

GTIP (HS) code

Country of origin

Product characteristics.

2025 German Customs Duty Rates (Sector-Based)
Average Customs Duty Rate by Product Group
Textiles & Ready-to-Wear 5% – 12%
Electronic Products 0% – 5%
Automotive & Spare Parts 4.5% – 10%
Food & Agricultural Products 0% – 20%
Furniture 0% – 5%
Products manufactured within the European Union are not subject to customs duties. For countries within the Customs Union, such as Turkey, most industrial products are duty-free.

🇹🇷 Customs Practices Between Turkey and Germany
Since Turkey has been a member of the EU Customs Union since 1996, industrial goods trade with Germany is generally duty-free. However:

Different regimes apply to agricultural products, textiles, and some specific product groups.

Customs duties may be incurred if proof of origin documents (ATR certificates) are not presented.

Documents Required for Exports from Türkiye to Germany:
Invoice

Packing List

ATR Certificate (for industrial products)

CE Certificates (if applicable)

Declaration of Conformity

Import Duties to Germany from Third Countries
Germany applies the Common EU Tariff (TARIC) to imports from countries outside the EU.

For example:

Duty of up to 12% on textiles from China

Duty of between 8-20% on food products from the US

Duty exemptions for some products thanks to free trade agreements with Japan

Thanks to the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in effect within the EU, imports from countries such as South Korea, Japan, and Canada have become advantageous.

Exporting from Germany: Are There Duties?
There are no direct customs duties when exporting from Germany. However:

An export declaration is prepared.

Documents are prepared according to the import regulations of the destination country.

A license may be required for controlled products (drugs, weapons, chemicals).

Germany Import Procedures and Recommendations
The GTIP code must be determined correctly.

The product's country of origin and FTA status must be checked.

Documents of conformity with EU legislation must be prepared (e.g., CE, REACH).

Register with German Customs using an EORI number.

Digital declaration systems (ATLAS, etc.) must be used.

Practical Tips for Trade
Logistics processes in trade with Germany are fast, so paperwork and documentation preparation should be completed promptly.

Tax advantages can be obtained for industrial products with the ATR certificate.

If the GTIP code is not used correctly, there may be a risk of high customs duties and penalties.

Products without the CE marking cannot pass through customs in Germany (especially for electronics and machinery).

It is recommended to seek customs consultancy support for import and export transactions.

Conclusion
By 2025, foreign trade with Germany has become quite attractive, particularly with the advantages of the EU-Turkey Customs Union. However, accurate planning of product-based tax rates, regulatory compliance, and documentation is critical. When entering a high-standard market like Germany, mastering customs procedures is the first step to success.