Moving to Germany

Shipping Household Goods, Personal Effects & Vehicles from the USA

Trusted international moving services to Germany with expert guidance on customs, port handling, destination delivery, and practical relocation planning.

Less Container Load (LCL)

Best for smaller shipments that do not require a full container.

• Good option for modest shipment sizes
• Often routed through Bremen / Bremerhaven handling chain
• Destination handling and CFS-related costs apply

Shared Container / Groupage

A cost-effective option for customers who are flexible on timing.

• Consolidated with other household goods shipments
• Can offer strong value versus exclusive container use
• Transit depends on consolidation schedule and route

Full Container Load (FCL)

Recommended for larger moves or customers who want exclusive use of the container.

• 20ft and 40ft container options
• Less handling and added protection for larger moves
• Often best for higher-volume household goods shipments

May need employer letters, tax returns, lease records, or other proof showing actual residence abroad for the last 12 months.

Often need visa or visa application copy, plus employer or other residence support documents showing the move to Germany.

May need school letters, pension approval paperwork, tax records, and other evidence depending on their case.

Special rules can apply to inherited goods, returning goods, military / SOFA cases, or gifts, and these often need extra documents.

FCL Port Fee Estimates

LCL Port Fee Estimates

Typical Destination Timing

• Container clearance: often 2-3 business days plus 2-3 business days for delivery
• LCL clearance: often 2 business days plus 4-6 business days for delivery once cargo is available
• Air clearance: often 1-2 business days, but airport congestion can add delays
• Peak season, holidays, customs exams, and terminal issues can extend all of the above

Full Destination Service

Includes customs clearance as used household goods, transport, unloading, placement into the residence, unpacking to flat surfaces, basic assembly of easy furniture, and removal of empty debris on delivery day.

Unloading Service

Includes customs clearance, transport, unloading, and placement into residence / garage / storage, usually within standard access limits.

Positioning Service

Includes customs clearance and transport. Standard free unloading time applies for containers, with additional hourly charges if unloading takes longer.

From fairy-tale style hilltop castles to historic fortresses, Germany has one of the richest castle landscapes in Europe.

Berlin is famous for its waterways and bridge network, making it one of Europe’s most interesting capital cities for urban exploration.

Some stretches of the Autobahn still have no general speed limit, though traffic rules and local restrictions remain very important.

Life in Bavaria feels very different from life in Berlin, Hamburg, or the Rhine region, which makes moving to Germany exciting for many expats.

Get Documents Ready Early

Germany is document-heavy. Missing one important customs document can delay clearance and add costs.

Use Clear Inventories

Avoid wording like misc, PBO, attic stuff, garage items, bottles, jars, or unclear wood descriptions.

Plan Access at Delivery

Check for parking permits, long carry, stairs, narrow roads, low bridges, and whether a truck or chassis can access the address.

Prefer the Right Port

For many Germany shipments, Bremerhaven for containers and Bremen for LCL are often easier than Hamburg, which can be more expensive and document-heavy.

Bremerhaven terminal modernization is a major long-term positive

Large investment plans at Bremerhaven should help strengthen Germany’s import gateway capacity over time and support long-term cargo flow improvements.

North Europe congestion still matters for Germany-bound shipments

Congestion, inland transport pressure, and terminal bottlenecks across North Europe can still affect sailing schedules, cargo availability, and final delivery timing into Germany.

Customs paperwork remains one of the biggest causes of avoidable delays

In practice, incomplete customs files, vague inventories, and late residence paperwork remain some of the biggest causes of avoidable delay and extra cost on Germany moves.

Typical SOFA Customs Forms

• AE Form 550-175A for household goods
• AE Form 190-1AA for vehicles

These forms are generally obtained by the customer from their Base, Military Police, or transportation officer in Germany.

How the Process Usually Works

• Customer provides a copy of the Bill of Lading and packing list to obtain the required SOFA forms
• Shipment moves under customs bond after arrival
• Customer normally clears the shipment in person at the assigned customs office
• Port clearance under standard household goods process usually does not apply