Customs documents for moving to Germany

Specific to Germany

On top of the 6 needed for any European move.

• Anmeldung — registration certificate

  German customs need evidence that you have moved your home to Germany, and the registration certificate from your Anmeldung is one of the documents they give most weight to. Getting a registration appointment is a common cause of delay on German moves.

  How to get it: Book an appointment at your local Bürgeramt as soon as you have an address. Appointments in Berlin and Munich can run several weeks out, so book before you move.

• Übersiedlungsgut declaration

  We send it

  It is the German customs declaration for bringing household goods in free of duty and import VAT when you move your home from outside the EU.

  How to get it: We prepare it from your inventory. Sign and return.

Needed for any European move

Two of these we produce for you.

• Passport photo page

  Customs need to see who is claiming relief. A clear photo of the page with your picture and details is enough.

  How to get it: Photograph or scan the page — make sure all four corners and the machine-readable lines at the bottom are visible.

• Itemised valued inventory

  We make this

  Every customs authority requires a full list of what you are shipping with a replacement value against each line. It is the legal basis of your declaration.

  How to get it: We build this from the inventory you already entered for your quote. Add a rough replacement value per item in your portal and we generate the signed document for you.

• Proof of your home in the UK

  For a move to an EU country, relief is only granted if your normal residence has been outside the EU for at least the last 12 months, so customs want documents that cover that whole period. Switzerland has its own rules rather than this test, but Swiss customs can still ask for evidence that you are leaving your UK home.

  How to get it: A P60, council tax bills, or utility bills. One document rarely covers a full year — two or three spanning the twelve months is normal and expected.

• Proof of your new address

  Evidence that the move is genuine and that you will actually be living there.

  How to get it: A signed rental contract, property deeds, or a notaire's certificate of ownership.

• Authorisation for our destination agent

  We send it

  Lets our customs agent in your destination country file the declaration on your behalf, so you do not have to attend in person.

  How to get it: We send it to you pre-filled — read it, sign it, upload it back.

• Ownership and use declaration

  We send it

  Confirms you have owned and used these goods for at least six months, which is one of the conditions for duty-free entry.

  How to get it: We send it pre-filled from your inventory — check it, sign it, upload it back.

Only if they apply to you

Our checker asks the questions that decide these, so you are never handed a list of things you do not need.

• Proof of your home in the UK

  For a move to an EU country, relief is only granted if your normal residence has been outside the EU for at least the last 12 months, so customs want documents that cover that whole period. Switzerland has its own rules rather than this test, but Swiss customs can still ask for evidence that you are leaving your UK home.

  How to get it: A P60, council tax bills, or utility bills. One document rarely covers a full year — two or three spanning the twelve months is normal and expected.

• Ownership and use declaration

  We send it

  Confirms you have owned and used these goods for at least six months, which is one of the conditions for duty-free entry.

  How to get it: We send it pre-filled from your inventory — check it, sign it, upload it back.

• Second-home move — duty and VAT usually apply

  We send it

  Transfer of residence relief only covers a move of your main home. For a second home in an EU country, customs will assess duty and import VAT on the declared value of your goods. Switzerland has its own rules for holiday homes, and your coordinator will check whether yours qualify. We need you to acknowledge this before we ship.

  How to get it: Your coordinator will talk you through the likely cost and send an acknowledgement to sign.

• V5C logbook and purchase invoice

  A vehicle is a separate customs entry from your household goods and needs its own paperwork.

  How to get it: Your V5C registration document and the original purchase invoice. If the vehicle is financed you will also need a letter of no interest from the lender.

• Proof of inheritance

  Inherited goods are relieved under a different provision from a normal household move, and need evidence of the bequest.

  How to get it: The death certificate plus the will, grant of probate, or a solicitor's letter confirming the bequest.

• Proof of income or pension

  Where there is no employment contract at the destination, customs may ask how you are supporting yourself. This substitutes for it.

  How to get it: A pension statement, or recent bank statements showing regular income.

General guidance compiled from published customs information, not legal advice. Requirements change and vary by circumstance — your coordinator confirms the exact list for your move.