FAQ Relocations / International Transport
FAQ Relocations
Here you will find our comprehensive collection of frequently asked questions and corresponding answers related to overseas relocations. These FAQs cover import, export and financial processing to ensure that you have all relevant information for your move.
Do you provide packing materials?
This varies depending on the country of origin. In general, we offer worldwide packing services through local moving companies for your furniture and personal effects.
However, you may also pack your items yourself using standard cardboard boxes or your own crates or pallets.
If you commission us to handle the packing, we will supply all required materials.
Do you pick up my household goods and deliver them to me in Germany?
Yes, we offer a worldwide door-to-door service.
However, this is not mandatory — you may bring your shipment to the loading station yourself and also pick it up personally in Bremen.
Are there minimum quantities, or do I always have to book an entire container?
Groupage shipments (shared containers) are billed by cubic meter, and 1 cbm is usually the minimum chargeable volume.
We will check whether a consolidated container is the most cost-effective option for you, or whether a full container would be more advantageous.
Am I allowed to load and unload the container myself?
Generally, yes. However, in some major Asian cities and residential areas in the United States, placing containers for self-loading or unloading is not permitted.
For which items or vehicles do I have to pay customs duty and taxes?
In general, all new goods are subject to customs duty and import tax.
When importing into Germany or any EU country, customs duties are charged according to the applicable tariff, along with the country-specific VAT (Germany: 19%).
Used personal belongings are exempt from duties if the following conditions are met and the required documents are submitted:
Proof of at least 1 year of residence outside the EU (employment contract or rental agreement plus utility bills).
Inventory list in German/English.
Copy of passport.
Current registration certificate from your local registration office (Meldebescheinigung).
Which documents do I need for customs clearance in Germany?
Proof of at least 1 year of residence outside the EU (employment contract or rental agreement plus utility bills).
Inventory list in German/English.
Copy of passport.
Current registration certificate from your local registration office (Meldebescheinigung).
Are there any items or products that absolutely cannot be transported?
If you wish to transport live animals or fish, please contact specialized companies that handle such shipments.
The transport of hazardous goods — such as aerosol spray cans, paints or varnishes — is only possible under strict conditions and may incur higher costs.
Food items can only be transported in close coordination with us and are always subject to approval.
Do you also offer relocations to Austria?
Yes, delivery to Austria is possible via the German seaports, including full customs clearance and any additional services you may require.
Do you also offer transport of relocation goods to Switzerland?
Yes. After the transit to Switzerland, we work together with Swiss moving companies and offer all necessary services.
Can my household goods get wet, and is the container stored on deck?
No, moisture damage is extremely rare.
The container is sealed and watertight, and even if it is positioned on the top or outer stack on the vessel, it is safely protected against water ingress.
What unexpected costs may arise?
All expected costs are included in our quotation.
However, additional charges may occur due to official instructions or unforeseen events.
These may include an inspection or X-ray scan of a container carried out by customs.
Do you offer transport insurance?
Yes. Due to our very low damage rate, we can offer you competitively priced transport insurance — either limited coverage (stranding/fall of container) or full coverage against all risks of damage.
The insurer is a reputable German company, and coverage is based on the DTV Cargo Insurance Terms, which you will receive with our offer.
Individual transport segments can be insured separately or as a door-to-door policy.
How can I place an order with you?
With our quotation, you will receive the corresponding order form as a PDF.
Once we receive your completed form, we will send you an order confirmation along with further instructions regarding the process.
Under which conditions can I import my personal household goods duty-free as relocation goods into the destination country?
Each country has different requirements, and regulations change frequently.
For this reason, we have intentionally refrained from providing a detailed list or external links on this website, as they may no longer be up to date.
We will gladly inform you of the country-specific import requirements applicable to your destination.
Do you provide packing materials?
This varies depending on the country of origin. In general, we offer worldwide packing services through local moving companies for your furniture and personal belongings.
You may also pack your items yourself using standard cardboard boxes or your own crates or pallets.
If you commission us to handle the packing, we will provide all necessary materials.
Do you pick up my household goods and deliver them abroad?
Yes, we offer a worldwide door-to-door service.
However, this is not mandatory — you may bring your shipment to the loading station yourself and also pick it up personally in Bremen.
Are there minimum quantities, or do I always have to book an entire container?
Groupage shipments (shared containers) are charged by cubic meter, and 1 cbm is usually the minimum chargeable volume.
We will calculate whether a consolidated container is cost-effective for you or whether booking your own container would be more advantageous.
Am I allowed to load and unload the container myself?
Generally yes.
However, in some major Asian cities and residential areas in the United States, it is not permitted to place containers for self-loading or unloading.
How can I place an order with you?
With our quotation, you will receive the corresponding order form as a PDF.
Once we have received your completed form, we will send you an order confirmation along with further instructions regarding the process.
Do you also offer relocations from Austria?
Yes, via the German seaports it is possible to ship household goods for our Austrian customers.
Do you also offer transport of relocation goods to Switzerland?
Yes, in Switzerland we work together with local moving companies and arrange packing, collection and all customs formalities.
Can my household goods get wet, and where is the container located on deck?
No, moisture damage is extremely rare.
The container is sealed and watertight, and even if it is placed in the upper or outer stack on the vessel, it is securely protected from water ingress.
What unexpected costs may arise?
All expected costs are included in our quotation.
However, additional costs may occur due to official instructions or unforeseen events.
These may include an inspection or X-ray scan of a container performed by customs.
Are there any items or products that absolutely cannot be transported?
If you wish to transport live animals or fish, please contact specialized companies that handle such shipments.
The transport of hazardous goods—such as aerosol spray cans, paints, or varnishes—is subject to restrictions and may incur higher charges.
Food items can only be shipped after prior coordination with us and are subject to approval.
Additionally, many countries have specific restrictions, some of which are based on religious regulations.
Do you offer transport insurance?
Yes, due to our very low damage rates, we can offer you highly affordable transport insurance options, either as strand damage coverage or against all risks of damage.
The insurer is a reputable German company, and coverage is based on the DTV cargo insurance terms, which you will receive with every quotation.
Each transport leg can be insured individually if you wish — either for specific segments or for the entire move from door to door.
How can I place an order with you?
Along with our quotation, you will receive an order form as a PDF.
Once we receive your signed order, we will send you an order confirmation along with further details about the process.
Is a down payment required?
Yes, upon placing an order, 50% of the total amount becomes due.
Of course, additional optional services—such as collection, delivery, or other forwarding services—can also be added as needed.
When is the freight charge due for payment?
The full invoice amount must be paid before delivery.
Which payment methods do you accept?
Please note that we accept bank transfers and cash payments only.
We do not accept credit cards or checks.
Who determines the exchange rate for quotations in other currencies?
To avoid exchange rate discrepancies and ensure transparency, some of our quotations are issued in USD.
For the final invoicing, the official mid-market exchange rate on the vessel’s departure date is applied.
Process Overview: Private Vehicle Import from the USA (Container Shipping)
The purchase and transport of a vehicle from the United States is far simpler than you might expect — and with our support, the entire process is smooth, secure and efficient.
We are happy to recommend trustworthy German partners who can search for and acquire your dream car on your behalf. Whether you are looking for a brand-new vehicle such as a Ford Mustang, Dodge Charger or Challenger, or a classic American vintage car, we are here to assist you. Interestingly, German classics such as Porsche and Mercedes are becoming increasingly popular imports from the USA. In addition, many youngtimers are now available in the United States at attractive prices.
If you have already found a vehicle, we will gladly support you with the safe and secure handling of the purchase process.
We engage reliable transport companies to collect vehicles from almost any location in the United States — closed carrier service is available upon request. Domestic transport within the USA is carried out to the nearest export terminal in New York, Savannah, Jacksonville, Miami, Houston or Los Angeles.
For export processing, you will need the original title and the purchase invoice. Contrary to common belief, a notarized copy is not required, but a copy of your ID or passport is necessary. Export customs clearance in the United States is included in our service and fully handled by us.
Once customs clearance has been completed, the vehicles are professionally loaded into containers, transported to the port terminal and shipped.
At every handover point — whether collection from the seller, delivery to the warehouse or container loading — detailed condition reports are documented, similar to what you may know from rental car companies. During loading, additional photos are taken inside the container.
Transit times are approximately 12–17 days from the U.S. East Coast, around 22 days from Houston and roughly 4 weeks from Los Angeles. Our consolidated containers typically depart weekly to Bremen and Rotterdam.
Before your container arrives in Bremen or Rotterdam, you will receive an arrival notice from our import department. You will be introduced to your assigned case manager and asked to submit your purchase invoice if not already provided. For customs clearance in Rotterdam, we will also send you a power of attorney for import handling.
The container arriving from the U.S. is transported from the terminal in Bremerhaven or Rotterdam to our warehouse in Bremen or Roosendaal, where it is unloaded. Storage until pickup takes place in a secure indoor facility. Here, detailed condition reports are prepared once again and photos are taken if necessary. A final report will be handed over to you at the time of collection.
Original documents — such as the U.S. Title, the tax assessment notice, and the German customs clearance certificate (Dutch: “Toestemming tot wegvoering”) — will be sent to you by registered mail or handed over upon pickup, provided customs has already released them.
After customs clearance, you will receive a final invoice covering the full transport costs as well as any customs duties and import VAT paid on your behalf. Vehicle release takes place once payment has been received. Typically, payment is made by bank transfer or in cash upon pickup, as the invoice also includes the customs and import-related charges.
Please ensure you contact us in advance to schedule your pickup and avoid any delays in vehicle delivery.
Of course, we also offer transport to your home address or to a workshop of your choice. Please inform us of your delivery preference in advance. For the required TÜV inspection, we are happy to recommend reliable and experienced partners upon request.