Send Luggage From the USA to Germany
Introduction: Ship Luggage from the USA to Germany
Need to send luggage from the USA to Germany? We are a professional provider with over a decade of experience in international shipping.
Most customers want to know three things: the price (is it expensive?), the transit time (how long will it take?), and how customs clearance works. Don’t worry—this guide covers everything, and our team will support you step by step throughout the process.
Germany is one of the most popular destinations for international shipping thanks to its strong economy, high quality of life, and excellent infrastructure. Many people move to or study in Germany, making luggage shipping a common need. Popular destination cities include Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, and Hamburg.
Other Shipping Services from the USA to Germany
- Ship Boxes from the USA to Germany
If your family or friends in Germany are expecting gifts, care packages, or product samples, our box shipping service is fast and affordable. We ship gift boxes and product sample boxes from any US city to any address in Germany. Learn more: Box Shipping from the USA to Germany - Ship a Pallet from the USA to Germany
If you have a larger quantity of personal belongings, donation items, or business goods that cannot fit in suitcases, our pallet shipping service offers a more economical solution for larger shipments from the USA to Germany. Learn more: Pallet Shipping from the USA to Germany - Ship a Crate from the USA to Germany
Moving valuable or fragile items — artwork, family heirlooms, antiques, or specialty equipment — that require maximum protection? Our crate shipping service provides custom-built wooden crates and professional packing for the highest level of security during transit from the USA to Germany. Learn more: Crate Shipping from the USA to Germany
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Who Ships Luggage and Personal Effects from the USA to Germany?
Germany is one of the top destinations in Europe for Americans relocating for work, study, or family. ExpediShip ships luggage and personal belongings from the USA to Germany for individuals and families every day. Here are the most common situations:
- Relocating or Moving to Germany
The most common reason people ship luggage from the USA to Germany is a permanent or long-term relocation — for work, family, or lifestyle reasons. Airline baggage fees for extra bags and overweight suitcases on transatlantic flights are expensive. ExpediShip picks up your luggage from your US address and delivers it directly to your German address — saving you the cost and stress of carrying everything through the airport. - Shipping Luggage Ahead Before Your Flight
Many people traveling to Germany prefer to ship their suitcases in advance rather than carry them. You pack at home, ExpediShip picks up, and your luggage arrives in Germany around the same time you do — or before. Ideal for people traveling with heavy bags, sports equipment, or items that exceed airline weight limits. - Students Moving to Germany for Study Abroad or University
Germany’s universities — including TU Munich, LMU Munich, Heidelberg University, Humboldt University Berlin, and many others — attract thousands of American students every year. Shipping a suitcase or two of personal belongings via ExpediShip is far cheaper than paying airline overweight fees or buying everything new in Germany. - American Professionals on Work Assignments
Many US professionals relocate to Germany for work assignments at major German companies — Siemens, BMW, SAP, Volkswagen, Bayer, and others — or at US companies with German offices. Shipping personal effects with ExpediShip for a short or long-term assignment is practical and cost-effective. - Returning German-Americans
German-Americans who have been living in the USA and are returning to Germany often use ExpediShip to ship their personal belongings before or after their flight. Personal effects owned for at least 6 months may qualify for duty-free import under German customs rules. - Family Members Sending Personal Items to Relatives in Germany
Some customers ship suitcases containing personal items — clothing, documents, family keepsakes — to a spouse, parent, or relative living in Germany. ExpediShip handles all customs paperwork for personal effects shipments to Germany.
Shipping Cost & Transit Time for Shipping Luggage from the USA to Germany
Most popular cities in Germany:
Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Düsseldorf — these are major business, student, and expat hubs.
Transit time (air shipping):
Typically 3–7 business days
Customs clearance may take 1–3 extra days
Typical cost (estimate for luggage/boxes):
USPS: $150–$400 (cheaper, slower, limited tracking)
FedEx / UPS / DHL: $300–$800+ (faster, reliable, full tracking)
Final cost depends heavily on size, weight, and dimensions (dim weight), not just actual weight.
Below are estimated starting prices for shipping Luggage from the USA to Germany. Final cost depends on box size, pickup address, and delivery city.
| Weight Range | Starting Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| 1–10 lbs | From $33.2 |
| 11–20 lbs | From $61 |
| 21–30 lbs | From $82 |
| 31–40 lbs | From $110 |
| 41–50 lbs | From $123.5 |
| 51–60 lbs | From $158 |
| 61–80 lbs | From $185 |
| 81+ lbs | From $225 — for larger shipments, please contact customer service for an exact quote. |
Note: Prices are estimated starting rates for air freight shipments. Expediship offers door-to-door service with full tracking and customs guidance.
Customs Rules for Shipping Personal Effects from the USA to Germany
Germany applies EU customs rules to personal effects imported from non-EU countries such as the USA. The good news is that used personal belongings can generally be imported duty-free if you are genuinely relocating to Germany and meet the German customs requirements.
- What Are Personal Effects?
Personal effects are items you own and use personally — clothing, shoes, electronics, books, sports equipment, musical instruments, and other personal belongings. The key requirement is that the items must have been owned and used by you for at least 6 months before shipping. Brand-new items are not classified as personal effects and may be subject to German customs duties and 19% VAT. - Can You Import Personal Effects into Germany Duty-Free?
Yes, under the following conditions (based on German customs regulations via Zoll.de):
You are moving from a non-EU country (the USA) to Germany and establishing a new permanent residence in Germany.
You have lived outside Germany (and outside the EU) for at least 12 consecutive months before relocating.
The goods have been owned and used by you for at least 6 months before the move.
You import the goods within 12 months of establishing your new residence in Germany.
You do not sell, lend, or transfer the goods within 12 months of importing them.
If you meet all these conditions, your personal effects can be imported free of customs duty and German VAT (19%). To claim this exemption, you must submit German customs Form 0350 (Übersiedlungsgut — transfer of residence goods).
- What If You Do Not Qualify for Duty-Free Import?
If you do not meet the conditions — for example, if you are a student on a short-term exchange, a visitor, or if some of your items are brand new — German customs may assess 19% VAT on the declared value of the goods, plus applicable customs duties based on the HS code of each item.
ExpediShip will advise you on your eligibility for the duty-free exemption and help you prepare all required documents before shipping.
German Customs Form 0350: What It Is and How to Use It
If you are relocating to Germany from the USA and want to import your personal effects duty-free, you will need to complete German customs Form 0350 (officially called the “Declaration for the Transfer of a Resident’s Goods” or Übersiedlungsgut in German).
- What Is Form 0350?
Form 0350 is the official German customs declaration form used when importing household goods and personal effects as part of a permanent relocation to Germany from a non-EU country. Submitting this form correctly allows you to import your personal belongings — clothing, furniture, electronics, and other used personal items — without paying German customs duties or 19% VAT. - Who Needs to Complete Form 0350?
Anyone who is permanently relocating to Germany from the USA (or another non-EU country) and wants to import personal effects duty-free must complete Form 0350. This applies to:
German nationals returning to Germany after living in the USA for at least 12 months.
Foreign nationals (including US citizens) who are moving to Germany permanently for work, family, or residency. - Key Information Required on Form 0350:
Your full name and current US address, and the length of time you have lived there.
Your new German address (or confirmation that you will establish a German address within 6 months).
The date of your relocation to Germany.
Proof that you have lived outside the EU for at least 12 consecutive months (lease agreement, employment contract, utility bills, or German embassy letter).
A complete inventory of all goods being imported, with items valued at €5,000 or more listed separately.
Confirmation that you will not sell, lend, or transfer the goods within 12 months of import.
Form 0350 is two pages long with 30 sections — 19 of which you must complete. The remaining sections are completed by German customs officials. ExpediShip will provide guidance on completing Form 0350 when you book your personal effects shipment to Germany. Our team will review your completed form before shipping to help ensure it is accepted by German customs.
Extra packing tips: How to Pack Your Luggage for Shipping from the USA to Germany
Suitcases and Bags: Ensure all zippers are fully closed and secured. Wrap the entire suitcase in stretch plastic wrap for extra protection. For soft bags, place them inside a large plastic bag or wrap in stretch wrap to protect handles and straps.
Clothing: Roll clothes to save space. Place heavier items near the wheels and lighter items on top. Fill gaps with socks and small items to prevent shifting.
Electronics: Pack laptops, phones, and cameras in padded cases or wrap in bubble wrap. Remove batteries from devices where possible — loose lithium batteries have specific air freight restrictions.
Fragile Items: Wrap individually in bubble wrap and place in the centre of your bag, surrounded by soft clothing on all sides.
Liquids and Toiletries: Seal all containers tightly and place in zip-lock bags. Aerosols and flammable substances cannot be shipped internationally.
We Ship Luggage and Personal Effects to All Cities in Germany
Berlin — Germany’s capital, the most common destination for relocation and student luggage shipments.
Munich (München) — home of TU Munich and LMU Munich; a top destination for student and professional luggage shipping.
Hamburg — Germany’s largest port city; popular with US expats and professionals relocating for international business.
Frankfurt (Frankfurt am Main) — a major hub for US professionals relocating for finance, consulting, and multinational companies.
Cologne (Köln), Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, Leipzig, Dresden, Heidelberg, Freiburg, Bonn, and all other German cities — ExpediShip delivers personal effects to every address in Germany.
Insurance Options for Shipping Boxes, Pallets, Crates, or Luggage from the USA to Germany
Every shipment automatically includes $100 of cargo insurance free of charge — if anything is lost or damaged, you are covered up to $100 at no extra cost. Need more protection? Add full coverage for just 3% of the declared value when requesting your quote. For eligibility rules, non-insurable items, and how claims work, see our Shipping Insurance Guide.
Shipping Process
Ship Box or luggage from USA to Germany
Frequently Asked Questions When Shipping Luggage from USA to Germany
Used personal effects shipped from the USA to Germany as part of a permanent relocation are generally exempt from customs duties and 19% VAT, provided you meet the German customs requirements: lived outside the EU for at least 12 consecutive months, goods owned and used for at least 6 months, imported within 12 months of establishing German residence, and not sold within 12 months of import. The exemption is claimed by submitting German customs Form 0350.
Form 0350 is the official German customs declaration form for the duty-free import of personal effects as part of a relocation. If you are permanently moving to Germany from the USA and want to import your personal belongings without paying customs duties or VAT, you must submit this form. ExpediShip will guide you through completing Form 0350 when you book your shipment.
ExpediShip’s luggage shipping from the USA to Germany starts from a competitive flat rate for standard suitcases, with door-to-door pickup and delivery, full tracking, customs support, and $100 of free insurance. Contact us for an accurate quote based on your bag size, weight, and pickup location.
In most cases, shipping your extra bags with ExpediShip is cheaper than paying transatlantic airline excess baggage fees, which typically range from $100 to $200 per extra bag. ExpediShip’s door-to-door service means no trips to the airport with heavy bags and no surprise fees at check-in. Contact us for a free quote to compare.
Via air freight, luggage shipments from the USA to Germany typically take around 5 business days from pickup to delivery. Personal effects shipments with complete documentation generally clear German customs efficiently. Submit your Form 0350 and supporting documents before shipping to avoid delays.