Importing from China to Germany — Sourcing, Logistics, and Customs Clearance
Eva Solutions guides companies through the entire import process from China to Germany: from supplier search through production, quality control, and consolidation, to transport, customs clearance, and delivery.
- Own company in China with native-speaking team, export license, and on-site lawyers
- An office and contacts in Germany, available during regular business hours
- All services from one source: sourcing, production, logistics, customs, fulfillment
Import Services
One point of contact instead of ten separate providers: Eva Solutions handles all steps of your China import.
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Supplier Search and Negotiation
Research by price, quality and capacity; price negotiation and contract drafting in Chinese.
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Samples and Approval
Sample ordering with photo and video documentation, approval before serial production.
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Production Monitoring
Progress checks with photo and video, quality inspection before shipment to AQL standard.
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Consolidation in China
Merging several deliveries in our warehouse in China: recount, repacking and export preparation as a single shipment.
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Transport
Freight transport by sea, air, rail, road, or express — with tracking and regular status updates.
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Customs Clearance
Customs declaration, documentation, and duty settlement. Advance payment of import VAT and customs duties.
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Packaging and Labeling
Packaging to your specifications.
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Delivery
Delivery to your location or your warehouse in Germany or Europe.
Who This Service Is For
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Amazon Sellers
Directly from China, including FNSKU labeling, carton-compliant packaging, and shipment plan compliance.
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E-Commerce Merchants
Reliable deliveries from China to your German warehouse. Sourcing, transport, and customs clearance — your stock levels stay predictable.
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Wholesalers and Importers
FCL or LCL shipping, customs declaration, and on-time delivery to your location in Germany.
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Private Label Manufacturers
Manufacturer search, on-site production support, design protection, and transport to Germany — all under your own brand.
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Retailers and Small Businesses
Import even with smaller order quantities: LCL shared containers and consolidation keep freight costs economical even at low volumes.
Process: How Importing from China Works
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Inquiry and Consultation
Product type, quantity, quality requirements, target price. Feasibility assessment with timeline and cost framework.
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Supplier Search and Vetting
Research of suitable factories in China. Verification of business licenses, production capacities, and references.
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Samples and Approval
Sample order placed directly with the factory. Review of quality, materials, and workmanship, approval before serial production.
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Contract and Payment
Contract in Chinese. Payment under standard industry terms (T/T, L/C), transparent and traceable.
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Production and Quality Control
Interim inspections during production, final inspection before shipment to AQL standard with photo and video report.
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Consolidation in China
Deliveries from multiple suppliers merged in our warehouse, verified, repacked, and prepared for export as a single shipment.
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Packaging and Labeling
Packaging tailored to the destination, such as your own warehouse.
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Transport and Freight Booking
Selection of transport mode: sea freight, air freight, rail freight, road freight, or express. Freight booking, tracking, and regular status updates.
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Customs Clearance and Delivery
Customs declaration, document submission, advance payment of import VAT and customs duties. Delivery to your location.
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Reporting and Follow-Up
Invoices, customs records, transport proofs, and quality reports — for your accounting and reorders.
Transport Modes: Sea Freight, Air Freight, Rail Freight, Road Freight, and Express
The choice of transport mode depends on shipment volume, timeline, and budget.
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30–45 days
Sea Freight (FCL/LCL)
Standard for commercial imports. FCL (full container) or LCL (shared container). Ports: Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ningbo → Hamburg, Bremerhaven.
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5–10 days
Air Freight
For time-sensitive shipments, high-value goods, or small volumes when freight costs are proportionate to cargo value.
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18–25 days
Rail Freight (New Silk Road)
The middle ground between sea and air freight — particularly for goods where 30 to 45 days by sea would be too long.
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15–22 days
Road Freight (Overland)
Direct road transport via the land corridors through Central Asia and Russia — door to door without port or terminal handling, for FTL and LTL shipments.
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3–5 days
Express (Courier)
Via DHL, FedEx, or UPS. For product samples, prototypes, or urgent replenishment of small quantities.
Costs: Factors That Determine the Import Price
Every project has individual parameters — flat-rate estimates are not possible.
- Purchase Price (FOB/EXW)
- The unit price negotiated with the factory. FOB: supplier bears costs up to the loading port. EXW: pickup from the factory.
- Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)
- Factories often set minimum order quantities. Smaller orders are possible, but the unit price rises.
- Freight Costs
- Depends on transport mode, volume, weight and market conditions. Sea freight has the lowest cost per kg; express is the most expensive.
- Incoterms
- FOB, CIF, or DDP — the agreed Incoterm determines who bears which share of the transport costs.
- Cargo Insurance
- Recommended for every shipment. Typical premium: 0.3–0.5% of cargo value.
- Import Duties
- The duty rate is determined by the HS code. Rates range from 0% to over 12% depending on the product category.
- Import VAT
- 19% in Germany (7% for certain goods). Taxable base: customs value plus import duties plus freight costs to the EU border.
- Anti-Dumping Duties
- For certain product categories from China, the EU imposes additional protective duties.
- Additional Costs
- Customs clearance fees, port fees, terminal handling, port storage, inland delivery.
All cost items are listed transparently — no hidden fees.
Customs and Documents
Correct documentation determines whether your goods are released promptly or held up in customs.
- Commercial Invoice Product description, quantity, unit price, total value, sender, and recipient.
- Packing List Contents, dimensions, and weight of every package.
- Bill of Lading / Air Waybill Transport document issued by the carrier — Bill of Lading (B/L) for sea freight, Air Waybill (AWB) for air freight.
- Certificate of Origin Confirms the country of origin. Can affect the applicable duty rates.
- Conformity Declarations Depending on the product category: CE certificates, test reports, or other documentation.
- EORI Number Required for commercial imports into the EU. Free registration with German customs — no customs declaration is possible without an EORI number.
Eva Solutions prepares all customs documents and handles the declaration through experienced customs agents.
- Usually within 24 hours on working days
- A first, non-binding assessment of your project
Certificates and Compliance
Depending on their category, products for the EU market must meet specific standards. The importer is responsible.
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Electronics and Electrical Equipment
CE marking (EMC, low-voltage directive) and RoHS (restriction of hazardous substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium).
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Textiles and Apparel
REACH regulation (chemical substances in products) and textile labeling (material composition, care instructions).
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Toys
EN 71 (European safety standard) and CE marking; conformity assessment by the importer.
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Batteries and Accumulators
BattG (Battery Act): registration with Stiftung EAR required before placing on the market; take-back and labeling requirements.
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Solar Modules and Photovoltaics
IEC standards for safety and performance, plus additional EU requirements depending on the area of application.
Quality Inspection and Reporting
Defects found only after arrival in Germany are costly. That is why we inspect in several stages directly in China.
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Before Production
Inspection of materials, tooling, and specification compliance.
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During Production
Spot checks to detect systematic defects.
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Before Shipment (Pre-Shipment)
Final inspection to AQL standard (Acceptable Quality Level) — statistical sampling.
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Documentation
Photos, videos, and a written inspection report with findings, deviations, and recommendations. In case of deviations: rework or re-production.
Why Eva Solutions
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Own Company in China
On-the-ground team with its own export license, no outsourcing to third parties.
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Native-Speaking Staff
Negotiations, contracts, and factory visits in Chinese — without translation errors.
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In-House Lawyers in China
Contract review, NNN agreements, trademark registration, and IP protection directly on-site.
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Office and team in Germany
Our office in Waldrach, Germany (Naga Technologies GmbH) — also our contact and service address. Reachable during regular business hours.
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Quality Control with Documentation
Photo and video reports from the factory: you see the goods before they ship.
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Factory Visits and Trade Fair Attendance
On-site visits with an interpreter, so you can see for yourself.
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Transparent Operations
Clear cost breakdown, traceable steps, complete documentation for your accounting.
Four locations in China
Offices and warehouses in the north and south of China – where we collect and check goods and prepare them for export.
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Harbin
Head office and warehouse
Logistics park in Harbin where our warehouse is located
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Guangzhou
Office and warehouse
Guangzhou: the building that houses our warehouse
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Shenzhen
Office and warehouse
Shenzhen: the building that houses our office and warehouse
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Sanya
Office, IT and technology
Yazhou Bay Science & Technology City in Sanya, home to our office
Frequently Asked Questions
What does importing from China to Germany cost?
Purchase price of goods, freight costs (depending on transport mode, volume, and weight), customs duties (HS code), import VAT (19%), plus additional costs such as customs clearance, port fees, and inland delivery. A reliable estimate requires specific details on the product, quantity, and transport mode.
What customs duties and taxes apply?
Import duty (0–12%+ depending on HS code) and import VAT (19% or 7%). Taxable base: cargo value plus freight costs to the EU border. Anti-dumping duties apply to certain product categories.
What do the Incoterms FOB, CIF, and DDP mean?
FOB (Free on Board): Seller delivers to the vessel at the port of departure — from that point, costs and risk are yours. CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight): Seller additionally covers freight and insurance to the destination port. DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): Seller handles everything to the delivery address. FOB is the most common Incoterm for China imports.
How do I find the right HS code?
The HS code determines the import duty rate and is required for customs declaration. Look it up via the German customs electronic tariff (EZT-Online). If unsure, we can help — incorrect classification can lead to additional assessments.
Are there hidden costs in China imports?
Typical overlooked items: port storage fees (demurrage), product certifications (CE, RoHS), customs clearance fees, palletization, and inland delivery. We list all expected costs in our estimate.
How long does shipping from China to Germany take?
Sea freight: 30–45 days. Air freight: 5–10 days. Rail freight: 18–25 days. Road freight: 15–22 days. Express: 3–5 days. Customs clearance and inland delivery are additional.
Sea freight, air freight, rail freight, or road — which is right?
Three deciding factors: budget, time pressure, shipment volume. Sea freight — cheapest standard for large quantities. Air freight — time-sensitive or high-value goods with low weight. Rail freight — faster than sea, cheaper than air. Road freight — door to door without terminal handling, flexible on the destination address. Express — samples or small quantities.
What is the difference between FCL and LCL?
FCL (Full Container Load): Full container (20' or 40') — cost-effective from around 15 m³. LCL (Less than Container Load): Shared container with multiple shippers. LCL is more flexible but more expensive per m³ and slightly slower.
What is consolidation and when is it worth it?
Combining deliveries from different factories into one warehouse in China and exporting them as a single shipment. Worth doing from two suppliers onward — significantly reduces freight costs per unit.
What documents do I need for import?
Commercial Invoice, Packing List, transport document (B/L or AWB), and where applicable, a Certificate of Origin. Depending on the product: conformity declarations, test reports, certificates (CE, RoHS, REACH). Eva Solutions prepares and coordinates all documentation.
Do I need an EORI number?
Yes. Required for commercial imports into the EU. Free registration with German customs. Processing time: a few business days.
What certificates does my product need?
Depends on the category: Electronics → CE + RoHS. Toys → EN 71. Textiles → REACH. Batteries → BattG. The importer is responsible. We clarify requirements before production starts.
Can I import from China as a small business?
Yes. An EORI number and import duties are required. LCL and consolidation keep it economical even at small volumes. Note: businesses under the small business scheme cannot reclaim import VAT as input tax.
How does direct shipment to an Amazon FBA warehouse work?
FBA preparation in China (FNSKU, carton labels, shipment plan), transport by sea, air, or express, customs clearance, direct delivery to the fulfillment center — without an intermediate warehouse.
Get in Touch — No Obligation
Our own company in China with export license and in-house lawyers. An office and a dedicated contact in Germany. All steps from one source.
Need every detail in one place? Download the questionnaire, fill it in and send it to contact@versendex.de.
Planning a project in China?
Send us your enquiry with the product, quantity and destination. We'll work out which steps you need and come back to you with a proposal.