Germany in Mulebuy's audience
Germany produced about 3,600 Mulebuy searches a month, fifth in our data. German buyers are also the main audience for some newer agents, such as Hipobuy. Berlin stands in for the country here; tax and customs rules are national.
The rules below apply anywhere in Germany.
Import VAT and the €3 duty
Germany charges Einfuhrumsatzsteuer, import VAT, at 19% on goods, shipping and duty. Since 1 July 2026, parcels worth up to €150 also pay €3 for each different item category. Above €150 of goods, normal tariff rates apply.
| Example parcel to Berlin | Duty | VAT 19% | Tax total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 T-shirts, €45 + €20 shipping (1 category) | €3.00 | €12.92 | €15.92 |
| Hoodie and trainers, €90 + €35 (2 categories) | €6.00 | €24.89 | €30.89 |
| Jacket, jeans, cap, belt, €120 + €30 (4 categories) | €12.00 | €30.78 | €42.78 |
Use the import duty calculator for your own parcel.
Add the €3 per category and 19% on the whole before comparing lines.
DHL, the Zoll and delivery times
On lines that are not tax-prepaid, Deutsche Post DHL clears the parcel and asks you to pay the tax plus its own handling charge before delivery. If documents are missing or the value looks wrong, the parcel may go to a Zollamt and you are asked to collect it there with proof of purchase. Tax-included lines avoid both. The rep.tools 2026 measurements put agent parcels to Germany at 12 to 24 days door to door, median 16.
A tax-included line saves the DHL fee and a possible trip to the Zollamt.
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Customs and trademark goods
German customs seizes goods that infringe trademarks and destroys them, normally after asking the recipient whether they object. Rights holders can follow up in some cases. As elsewhere, the rule concerns the goods, not the agent. Unbranded finds avoid the issue entirely.
Branded copies stopped by the Zoll are destroyed, not delivered.
Paying and moving from Mulebuy
Pay each order directly by card or PayPal rather than through a wallet balance, and ship soon after items arrive. If you have items at Mulebuy, see the status page. To pick a replacement, compare a tax-included German line on two agents with the alternatives guide; Hipobuy and Kakobuy are popular with German buyers, and Hipobuy reviewers report a German DHL line of about seven days. Move your links with the link converter and check EU sizes with the size converter.
Compare tax-included German lines, then move your links.
German buyers and the agents they use
German demand is spread across more agents than in Italy. Hipobuy, Oopbuy and Kakobuy all appear frequently in German searches, and buyers there tend to compare agents on how well they handle DHL's customs process. When you compare, ask each agent whether its German line is tax-prepaid and which company makes the final delivery. A tax-prepaid line delivered by DHL or Hermes without a fee at the door is usually worth a slightly higher shipping price.
Ask whether the German line is tax-prepaid and who delivers it.
For parcels that end up at a Zollamt, bring the order confirmation, proof of payment and an ID. Customs officers decide on the spot whether to release the goods once tax is paid.
Austrian buyers face similar rules with 20% VAT; the import duty calculator covers Austria too.
German-speaking Swiss buyers face separate, non-EU rules with their own thresholds and VAT, so the figures on this page do not apply to them.
Questions readers ask
How much tax is due on an agent parcel to Germany?
For a parcel up to €150: €3 per item category plus 19% import VAT on goods, shipping and duty.
Why does DHL charge extra on my parcel?
On parcels that are not tax-prepaid, the carrier clears customs for you and charges a handling fee on top of the tax.
How long does an agent parcel take to Germany?
Measured at 12 to 24 days door to door in 2026, median 16 days.
What happens if the Zoll stops my parcel?
You may be asked to collect it at a customs office or provide documents. Trademark-infringing goods are seized and destroyed.