China to Germany DDP DDU shipping service

China to Germany DDP DDU Shipping Service

DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid): The seller delivers goods to the destination (Germany) but does not cover import duties, taxes, or customs clearance. The buyer handles these.

DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): The seller handles all costs, including shipping, customs clearance, duties, and taxes, until delivery to the buyer’s address in Germany.

DDP and DDU air freight from China to Germany

DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid)

Operation on the Chinese side:

The seller arranges for the goods to be delivered to the airport warehouse and completes the Chinese export customs declaration (invoice, packing list, export license, etc. are required).

The freight forwarder arranges air transportation (direct flight or transit), and the goods arrive at the German airport (such as Frankfurt/Leipzig/Munich).

Operation on the German side:

The buyer or its agent picks up the goods at the airport and handles the German import customs clearance (payment of tariffs, 19% VAT, etc.).

The buyer arranges the final transportation to the final destination.

DDP (Delivery Duty Paid)

Operation on the Chinese side:

The seller entrusts the freight forwarder to handle the entire process, including export declaration, air transport and German import customs clearance (German EORI number, tax number, etc. must be provided in advance).

The freight forwarder prepays the German tariffs and VAT, and the German agent arranges delivery to the designated address after the goods are cleared.

Notes

Time limit: Air transport usually takes 3-7 days (direct flights are faster).

Cost: DDP needs to calculate German taxes and fees (tariffs + VAT + customs clearance fees) in advance to avoid underestimating costs.

Documents: DDP requires a complete commercial invoice, certificate of origin (such as Form A), and compliance label (such as CE mark).

Risk: It is recommended to insure high-value goods; DDU requires the buyer to clear customs in time, otherwise storage fees may be incurred.

Air Freight (DDU/DDP)

DDU Fees:

Basic freight: USD4.22-11/kg (depending on the route, cargo volume, fuel surcharge).

China export customs clearance fee: about USD70/ticket.

German airport miscellaneous fees: about USD70-210 (including handling fees, storage fees, etc.).

Buyer bears: German import tariffs + VAT (such as electronic product tariffs of about 0-5%, VAT 19%).

DDP Fees:

Basic freight + German tariffs/VAT + customs clearance service fee (about USD140-280).

Total cost example: 100kg of electronic products, declared value €5000:

Freight: USD4.22/kg × 100kg = USD422

Tariff (assuming 2%): €5000 × 2% = €100

VAT (19%): €5000 × 19% = €950

DDP total price: 422 + 100 + 950 + 210 (customs clearance fee) ≈ USD422+EUR1260

DDP and DDU sea freight from China to Germany

DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid)

Operation on the Chinese side:

The seller delivers the goods to the port of departure (such as Shanghai/Ningbo/Shenzhen) and completes the export customs declaration.

The freight forwarder arranges sea transportation (full container FCL or less than container LCL) and arrives at the German port (such as Hamburg/Bremen).

Operation on the German side:

The buyer or his agent picks up the goods at the port, handles import customs clearance and pays taxes and fees.

Arrange truck or rail transportation to the final destination.

DDP (Delivery Duty Paid)

Operation on the Chinese side:

The seller entrusts the freight forwarder to complete the export customs declaration, sea transportation and customs clearance at the German destination port.

After the freight forwarder pays the German tariff/VAT, it arranges the last leg delivery to the designated warehouse.

Notes

Time limit: about 25-35 days for sea transportation (port congestion may extend).

Cost: DDP needs to pay attention to the German customs valuation rules to avoid being fined for low declaration.

Special requirements:

Wooden packaging must comply with the ISPM15 standard (fumigation certificate).

Chemicals, batteries, etc. require MSDS, UN38.3 and other documents.

Demurrage: Under DDU, the buyer must clear customs in a timely manner, otherwise high storage fees may be incurred.

Ocean freight (DDU/DDP)

DDU fee (taking LCL as an example):

Ocean freight: USD1-2/kg (based on volumetric weight or actual weight, whichever is higher).

China port miscellaneous fees: about USD140-280 (THC, document fees, etc.).

Buyer bears: German port fees (about €200-500), tariffs/VAT, truck delivery fees (€0.5-1.5/km).

DDP fee (taking 40-foot container FCL as an example):

Ocean freight: €2000-4000/container (about 16,000-32,000 yuan).

German customs clearance and taxes: tariffs (depending on the category) + VAT 19% + customs clearance fees (€200-500).

Total cost example: a container of furniture (declared value €20,000, tariff 6%):

Freight: €3000 

Tariff: €20,000 × 6% = €1200 

VAT: €20,000 × 19% = €3800 

DDP total price: 3000+1200+3800 + 280 (customs clearance) ≈ 8280EUR

DDP and DDU rail freight from China to Germany

DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid)

Operation on the Chinese side:

The goods are packed at the departure station (such as Xi'an/Chongqing/Zhengzhou) and the export customs declaration is completed.

Railway transportation to the German hub station (such as Duisburg/Hamburg).

Operation on the German side:

The buyer picks up the goods at the railway station, handles import customs clearance and pays taxes.

Arrange truck delivery.

DDP (Delivery Duty Paid)

Operation on the Chinese side:

The freight forwarder is responsible for the entire railway transportation and German customs clearance, and the taxes are prepaid by the seller.

After customs clearance, the goods are directly delivered to the destination.

Notes

Time limit: Railway transportation is about 15-20 days, which is faster than sea transportation but slower than air transportation.

Advantages: Less affected by weather, suitable for high-value or time-sensitive goods.

Customs clearance: DDP needs to confirm the customs clearance capacity of the German railway station in advance (such as Duisburg has a dedicated customs clearance channel).

Weight limit: The weight limit of a single box is usually 21-23 tons (must comply with railway specifications).

Railway (DDU/DDP)

DDU fee:

Railway freight

: USD1.5-2.5 /kg (Chongqing/Xi'an to Duisburg).

China station miscellaneous fees: about USD140-280/container.

Buyer bears: German railway station pick-up fee (about €300), customs duty/VAT.

DDP fee:

Railway freight + German customs clearance fee + last-mile delivery (about USD1.5-2.5/kg).

Total cost example: 500kg machinery (declared value €10,000, tariff 3.7%):

Freight: USD2.1/kg × 500kg = USD1050

Tariff: €10,000 × 3.7% = €370

VAT: €10,000 × 19% = €1900

DDP total price: 1050 + 370 + 1900 + 280 (customs clearance) ≈ USD1050+EUR2550

DDP and DDU truck freight from China to Germany

DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid)

Operation on the Chinese side:

The goods complete the Chinese export customs declaration at the border (such as Horgos, Xinjiang).

International trucks arrive in Germany via Central Asia/Russia (TIR certificates simplify transit procedures).

Operation on the German side:

The buyer clears customs and pays taxes at the border or destination.

The truck completes the final delivery.

DDP (Delivery Duty Paid)

Operation on the Chinese side:

The freight forwarder arranges the entire road transportation and clears customs at the German border or destination.

Taxes are borne by the seller, and the goods go directly to the customer's warehouse.

Notes

Applicable scenarios: Suitable for countries adjacent to Central Europe (such as Eastern Europe), or urgent land transportation needs.

Risks: TIR conventions must be followed when passing through multiple countries, and political factors (such as the Russian-Ukrainian war) may affect the route.

Documents: TIR certificates and ATA Carnet (temporary entry permit) must be obtained in advance.

Truck transport (DDU/DDP)

DDU fee:

International truck freight: USD1.7-3.5/kg (door to door from China to Germany).

Buyer bears: German border clearance fee (about €200), tariff/VAT.

DDP fee:

Freight + full tax + TIR certificate fee (about USD280).

Total cost example: 1 ton of goods (declared value €8000, tariff 4%):

Freight: USD2.8/kg × 1000kg = USD2800

Tariff: €8000 × 4% = €320

VAT: €8000 × 19% = €1520

DDP total price: 2800 + 320 + 1520 + 280 (customs clearance) ≈ USD2800+EUR2120

Notes and summary

1. DDU vs DDP selection recommendations

Choose DDU: The buyer has the ability to clear customs in Germany or hopes to control import costs.

Choose DDP: The buyer needs to simplify the process and the seller needs to ensure compliance with the declaration (especially VAT).

2. Key risk points

DDU: Delays in customs clearance by the buyer may result in demurrage; errors in tariff calculation must be borne by the buyer.

DDP: The seller must accurately declare the value of the goods to avoid German customs inspections (under-declaration may result in fines).

3. Document preparation

Required documents: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading/waybill, certificate of origin, insurance certificate.

Special goods: CE certification, chemical safety data sheet (MSDS), battery UN38.3 test report.

4. Insurance recommendations

Regardless of DDU/DDP, it is recommended to purchase full transportation insurance (covering sea/air/land transportation risks).

If you want to know more about the China to Germany DDP DDU shipping, Please feel free to contact：Lora Yang  Email: sales02@viputrans.com   SKYPE|WECHAT|WHATSAPP|MOB:+86 13424468029