Country Conditions for Mailing — Germany
Prohibitions (130)
Absinthe.
Arms and weapons, including firearms, parts of arms, ammunition, and imitation arms.
Articles bearing political or religious notations on the address side.
Human remains.
Lithium cells and batteries — including items containing lithium cells and batteries under 135.6.
Live plants and animals.
Melatonin.
Perishable infectious biological substances.
Playing cards, except in complete decks properly wrapped.
Pulverized coca beans.
Radioactive materials.
Restrictions
Importation of medicines requires special authorization by German authorities.
Observations
- A parcel may be addressed to a street address or to a post office box. A local telephone number for the addressee should be provided when the item is addressed to a street address and must be provided when the item is addressed to a post office box.
- For Priority Mail International parcels, an invoice, in duplicate, is required for all commercial shipments regardless of value and all personal shipments valued at $300 or more. The invoices must be affixed to the outside of the parcel or may be enclosed in PS Form 2976-E with the customs declaration.
- Mailpieces delivered through international bulk mail services must be addressed with the correct postcode number or delivery zone number, if one exists. Without this number, the German postal administration will return such pieces to the sender or the country of origin due to insufficient addressing.
- Import licenses or certificates are required for meat and meat products; pasta products; dairy products; egg and egg products; plant and plant products; tobacco products; and cigarette paper. Senders should ascertain before mailing whether the necessary documents are held by the addressee.
- The customs treatment of gift parcels will be facilitated if the customs declaration is marked by the sender “Private Geschenksendung” (personal gift package).
- Customs authorities require invoices with books valued at 26 euros or more (currently $35.20).
- Germany will not accept any Express Mail International or Priority Mail International insured item valued at more than $500. Items valued at more than $500 will be returned to sender.
Customs Forms Required (123)
First-Class Mail International items and Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes:
PS Form 2976 (see 123.61)
Priority Mail International parcels:
PS Form 2976-A inside 2976-E (envelope)
Global Express Guaranteed (210) Price Group 3
Insurance (212.5)
Value Limit (212.1)
The maximum value of a GXG shipment to this country is $2,499 or a lesser amount if limited by content or value.
Size Limits (211.22)
The surface area of the address side of the item to be mailed must be large enough to completely contain the Global Express Guaranteed Air Waybill/Shipping Invoice (shipping label), postage, endorsement, and any applicable markings. The shipping label is approximately 5.5 inches high and 9.5 inches long.
Maximum length: 46 inches
Maximum width: 35 inches
Maximum height: 46 inches
Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches
General Conditions for Mailing
See Publication 141, Global Express Guaranteed Service Guide, for information about areas served in the destination country, allowable contents, packaging and labeling requirements, tracking and tracing, service standards, and other conditions for mailing.
Express Mail International (220) Price Group 16
Express Mail International — Flat Rate Envelopes and Flat Rate Boxes
Insurance (222.8):
Available for Express Mail International merchandise shipments only
Articles Admitted
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Required Customs
Form/Endorsement
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Any kind of written communications including legal documents, instruments, and manuscripts; computer data, including magnetic tapes, magnetic disks, punch cards, and recording tapes.
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PS Form 2976, Customs — CN 22 and Sender’s Declaration.
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Merchandise samples without commercial value.
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PS Form 2976-A, Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note CP 72, inside a PS Form 2976-E, Customs Declaration Envelope CP 91.
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Merchandise and all articles subject to customs duty.
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PS Form 2976-A, Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note CP 72, inside a PS Form 2976-E, Customs Declaration Envelope CP 91. An invoice, in duplicate, is required for all commercial shipments regardless of value and all personal shipments valued at $300 or more. The invoices must be either affixed to the outside of the parcel or enclosed in PS Form 2976-E with the customs declaration.
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Size Limits (221.52)
Maximum length: 60 inches
Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches
Notes:
- An invoice, in duplicate, is required for all commercial shipments regardless of value and for all personal shipments valued at $300 or more. The invoices must be either affixed to the outside of the parcel or enclosed in PS Form 2976-E with the customs declaration.
- Arms, weapons, and human remains are prohibited.
- Coins; banknotes; currency notes, including paper money; securities of any kind payable to bearer; traveler’s checks; platinum, gold, and silver; precious stones; jewelry; watches; and other valuable articles are prohibited in Express Mail International shipments to Germany.
- An Express Mail International shipment may be addressed to a street address or to a post office box. A local telephone number for the addressee should be provided when the item is addressed to a street address and must be provided when the item is addressed to a post office box.
Reciprocal Service Name: There is no reciprocal service.
Country Code: DE
Areas Served: All
Priority Mail International (230) Price Group 16
Note: Ordinary Priority Mail International includes indemnity at no cost based on weight. (See 230.)
Priority Mail International — Flat Rate
Flat Rate Envelopes or Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes: The maximum weight is 4 pounds. Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.
Flat Rate Boxes — Medium and Large: The maximum weight is 20 pounds, or the limit set by the individual country, whichever is less. Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.
Insurance (232.92)
Available for Priority Mail International merchandise parcels only (see 323.72 for markings)
Size Limits (231.22)
Maximum length: 60 inches
Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches
First-Class Mail International (240) Price Group 5
For the prices and maximum weights for letters, large envelopes (flats), and postcards, see Notice 123, Price List.
Size Limits
Letters: See 241.212
Postcards: See 241.221
Large Envelopes (Flats): See 241.232
Airmail M-bags (260) —
Direct Sack to One Addressee Price Group 5
Matter for the Blind (270)
Free when sent as First-Class Mail International, First-Class Package International Service, Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes, or Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes. Weight limit: 4 pounds.
Free when sent as Priority Mail International. Weight limit: 15 pounds.
First-Class Package International Service (250) Price Group 5
For the prices and maximum weights for packages (small packets), see Notice 123, Price List.
Size Limits
Packages (Small Packets): See 251.22 and 251.23.
Certificate of Mailing (313)
COD and Certified
NOT for International Mail
International Business Reply Service (382)
Fee: Envelopes up to 2 ounces $1.75; Cards $1.25
International Postal Money Order (371)
NOT Available
International Reply Coupons (381)
NOT Available for International Mail as of January 27, 2013
Registered Mail (330)
Fee: $12.95
Maximum Indemnity: $46.14
Available only for First-Class Mail International,
including postcards, Priority Mail International
Flat Rate Envelopes, Priority Mail International
Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes, and matter for the
blind or other physically handicapped persons.
Restricted Delivery (350)
NOT Available for International Mail as of January 27, 2013
Return Receipt (340)
Fee: $3.50
Available for Registered Mail only.
