Germany is one of Europe’s largest economies and a high-potential market for Vietnamese exports. However, shipping to Germany requires businesses to have a deep understanding of logistics processes, customs procedures, and the selection of appropriate transport modes to ensure timely, safe, and cost-optimized delivery.
1. Selecting the Appropriate Mode of Transport
Choosing the right transportation method is a critical step that determines the cost, lead time, and safety of goods exported to Germany. Each mode has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on the commodity type, volume, and urgency.
1.1. Sea Freight
Characteristics: Ideal for high-volume or bulky cargo, including machinery, industrial equipment, agricultural products, and consumer goods. Services include FCL (Full Container Load), LCL (Less than Container Load), reefer containers, open-top containers, or breakbulk.
Transit Time: Typically 25–40 days from Vietnam to Germany, depending on the ports of departure and arrival.
Pros: Significantly lower costs for large shipments; high stability and safety.
Cons: Long transit times, unsuitable for time-sensitive cargo.
1.2. Air Freight
Characteristics: Best suited for high-value items, perishables, or urgent shipments such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, and fresh produce.
Transit Time: Rapid delivery, taking only 2–5 days.
Pros: Minimal risk of damage due to short transit times.
Cons: High freight rates compared to sea freight; strict weight and dimension limitations.
1.3. Multimodal Transport
Characteristics: A combination of sea-road-rail to optimize cost and efficiency. This is ideal for project cargo or complex supply chains.
Pros: Flexible and faster than pure sea freight while remaining more economical than air freight. Integrated services include packing, customs brokerage, warehousing, and inland distribution.
Cons: Requires a highly reputable logistics provider to synchronize different modes and avoid unforeseen delays.
2. Key Export Commodities to Germany
Germany’s diverse import needs include:
Consumer Goods: Apparel, footwear, accessories, and cosmetics.
Agri-products & Processed Food: Coffee, tea, cashew nuts, frozen fruits, and seafood.
Industrial Machinery: Food processing equipment, mechanical components, and manufacturing machinery.
Specialized Goods: Pharmaceuticals, chemicals, batteries, and electronics, which must comply with stringent EU and German import regulations.
3. The Shipping Process to Germany
Successful exportation involves a series of meticulously managed steps:
Cargo Preparation: Packing according to international standards; labeling and marking in compliance with EU/German regulations; preparing the Shipping Suite (Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Sales Contract, etc.).
Export Customs Clearance: Electronic customs declaration, applying for Certificate of Origin (C/O), and obtaining specific permits for regulated goods.
Transit & Tracking: Utilizing GPS systems for sea freight or booking reference numbers for air freight to monitor the shipment in real-time.
Import Procedures in Germany: The consignee or local partner performs import declarations and pays Value Added Tax (VAT) and applicable duties.
4. Preservation and Handling of Specialized Cargo
Perishables & Frozen Goods: Utilization of reefer containers with end-to-end temperature monitoring.
Fragile & Industrial Equipment: Robust crating, shock-absorption, and the use of specialized pallets.
Dangerous Goods (DG): Strict adherence to the IMDG Code for chemicals, batteries, and lubricants.
5. Benefits of Professional Logistics Services
Partnering with a professional provider helps businesses:
Optimize Costs: By selecting the most efficient transport routes.
Ensure Cargo Safety: Through standardized equipment and comprehensive cargo insurance.
Reduce Legal Risks: Ensuring full compliance with evolving EU trade policies and customs laws.
Shipping to Germany – Contact Truong Thanh Logistics Today
As a trusted partner for Vietnamese exporters, Truong Thanh Logistics provides end-to-end solutions with:
10+ Years of Experience in international freight forwarding and customs brokerage.
Comprehensive Support: From initial consultation and packing to C/O application and final delivery.
Transparency & Reliability: Committed lead times and clear, upfront pricing.
Diverse Service Portfolio: FCL, LCL, Reefer, Heavy-lift, Door-to-Door, and Port-to-Port.
24/7 Monitoring: Real-time tracking to ensure cargo integrity throughout the journey.
Trường Thành Logistics – Professional & Dedicated
Hotline: +84 915 36 38 39
Head Office: 5th Floor, Tower A, Song Da Building, Pham Hung Street, Tu Liem Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Email: sale@truongthanhjsc.com
info@truongthanhlogistics.com
Website: https://truongthanhlogistics.com
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