Import of Household Effects (including cars) when Relocating to the Federal Republic of Germany

Certification by German diplomatic or consular mission (exception)
In very rare exceptional cases a certification by a German diplomatic or consular mission is possible. A plausible explanation has to be given in writing why it was not possible to receive the export stamp at the port of departure from Germany. Goods ordered online and received by mail cannot declared at the Embassy.
The same procedure as at the customs service applies. The following documents have to be presented to a consular officer for inspection:

• 
  original receipt
  
• 
  export papers or Tax Free Shopping Check
  
• 
  purchased goods (unused/unworn in its original packaging and with price tag)
  
• 
  and your passport together with proof of residency
  
• 
  Boarding pass
  

There is a fee of 25 Euro for each individual export paper. The fee is payable either in cash (equivalent in local currency according to the daily exchange rate) or by internationally accepted credit card (Visa, Master - card will be charged in Euro, additional charges by the credit card company may apply).
If you are staying in Germany you can usually bring properties in your baggage into Germany at zero import duty and without customs formalities.

Restrictions

However, you should bear in mind that

• 
  goods that you bring to Germany and that you intend to leave (such as visitor’s gifts) may only be imported duty-free within the traveller’s allowances;
  
• 
  you may not bring to the place where you intend to stay any items that are banned in Germany, nor any goods whose import is banned;
  
• 
  goods that you use professionally (for example photographic equipment, cases of samples) or that will be not only imported occasionally, you have to apply an oral declaration;
  
• 
  on entry you must lodge a written declaration with the customs authorities for items that are the subject of restrictions, and you must have the certificates required for them;
  
• 
  you must show an import authorisation as well as a written declaration for goods that require an import authorisation;
  
• 
  you must lodge a written declaration if the German custom authorities require you to do so, for instance if you bring particularly valuable items.
  
• 
  Note
  
• 
  Portable musical instruments that you use professionally and therefore import and export temporarily are duty free.