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Customs Clearance for Private Individuals

We clear private shipments from non-EU countries - from your US online order to a Swiss classic car, from a yacht to your removal goods. We check allowances and relief categories, file in ATLAS or IZA, calculate duty and import VAT, and manage all communication with the customs office. You send us the documents, you receive the shipment cleared - no surprises at pick-up.

What you get from us

We file your customs declaration - with a binding breakdown of charges (duty, import VAT, excise duty and motor vehicle tax where applicable), assessment of relief categories and clean documentation. We communicate with customs and the forwarder, hold every deadline and give you the final amount before anything moves. You know what the shipment costs - and whether a relief category applies.

What we clear for private individuals

Online purchases from outside the EU

We clear your order from the USA, UK, Switzerland, China or Japan, check the commodity code and any applicable preference (e.g. the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement) and file in ATLAS or via the Internet customs declaration (IZA). You receive the release documents in time for pick-up.

Removal goods when relocating to the EU

We clear household goods, vehicle and collections on relocation from a non-EU country to Germany and assess the duty exemption under EC 1186/2009 - including the 12-month residence rule, the 6-month ownership requirement and the 12-month blocking period. We file the declaration together with the relief application.

Inheritance and wedding goods

We assess duty-free import of inheritance goods (certificate of inheritance, 2-year deadline) and wedding goods (trousseau, wedding gifts, marriage certificate) and file the declaration with the applicable per-gift value limits.

Vehicles: cars, classic cars, motorhomes, motorcycles

We classify passenger cars under CN 8703 (10 % duty, 19 % import VAT) or classic cars at least 30 years old in original condition under CN 9705 (0 % duty, 7 % import VAT), determine the customs value and hand you the documents for the registration authority and Hauptzollamt.

Yachts, boats and horses

We clear sport boats under CN 8903.xx (1.7 % duty, 19 % import VAT) at the port of arrival and, for horses, coordinate the veterinary Border Control Post (BCP) with equine passport and veterinary certificate - customs and veterinary handling from one source.

12 months
residence in the non-EU country for removal-goods relief
0 % duty
for classic cars 30+ years in original condition (CN 9705)
1 July 2026
removal of the EUR 150 customs de-minimis threshold
1-2 working days
filing as a rule from receipt of documents

What we watch on every private clearance

Deadline on the customs notification

We pick up the pick-up notice and customs notification immediately so the consignment is not returned to the sender or released for destruction. You save the shipping cost and the waiting time.

Removal of the EUR 150 threshold from 1 July 2026

We also calculate the simplified flat-rate duty of EUR 3 per consignment for orders under EUR 150 and stop you from relying on supposedly duty-free purchases that become dutiable from the cut-off date.

Removal-goods relief properly substantiated

We verify the 12-month residence, 6-month ownership and transfer deadlines before import. Anyone missing one of these conditions pays full duty and import VAT - we catch that at our desk, not at the customs office.

Classic-car status with expert appraisal

We secure the 0 % duty rate under CN 9705 with the original-condition appraisal. Without that evidence the regular duty rate applies - on six-figure purchase prices, that is a five-figure difference.

Horse import via the right BCP

We route the delivery to a customs office with a veterinary Border Control Post. A rejection at the wrong location means severe stress for the animal and avoidable follow-up costs.

How we handle your private clearance

  1. Review the documents

    We take in invoice, proof of payment, transport document, pick-up notice or customs notification - for inheritance, marriage or relocation cases also the certificate of inheritance, marriage certificate and proof of residence.

  2. Check allowances and preferences

    We verify allowances, relief categories under EC 1186/2009 and preferential agreements such as the EU-UK TCA that can reduce the third-country duty rate.

  3. Classify and calculate the charges

    We classify under CN/TARIC, determine the customs value and calculate duty, import VAT and any excise duty - you receive the binding breakdown of charges before filing.

  4. File in ATLAS or IZA

    We submit the declaration in ATLAS-Import or via the Internet customs declaration (IZA), depending on shipment type, and clarify any value, description or random-inspection queries directly with the customs office.

  5. Settle charges and hand over documents

    You pay customs directly or we settle via our deferment account with on-charging. We then hand over the duty notices and the documents you need for registration, accounting or later resale.

Even on a one-off clearance, you are not a case number with us. We give you the final amount before the shipment moves - no surprise waits at the customs office.

— CK Internationale Zollagentur GmbH, Emmerich am Rhein

Request private clearance Talk to us: 02828 9039920

Frequently asked questions

We calculate the charges from goods value plus shipping cost up to the EU border: duty rate by commodity code (often 0 to 17 percent) plus 19 percent import VAT (7 percent for relieved goods). Example: sneakers at USD 200 plus USD 30 shipping at an FX rate of 0.92 equal around EUR 212; duty at 16.9 percent gives roughly EUR 36, import VAT at 19 percent on EUR 248 gives roughly EUR 47 - total charges around EUR 83. From 1 July 2026 the EUR 150 de-minimis threshold also falls away for smaller consignments. You send us the invoice - we give you the final binding amount before anything is due.
You as the consignee are the declarant. We act as direct representative - in your name, for your account. You remain liable for the charges; we file the declaration and handle all communication with customs. We establish the written power of attorney with you on the first assignment.
We assess all four conditions: habitual residence of at least 12 months in the non-EU country, transfer on the occasion of relocation within 12 months, ownership and use of the items for at least 6 months, 12-month blocking period for sale, hire or transfer after import. You send us the residence certificate, inventory list and ownership evidence - we verify each condition before import and file the relief application.
You send us the sales contract, the prior owner's vehicle title, certificate of conformity (CoC) where applicable, insurance documents and the transport document. For classic cars, you also send us the expert appraisal confirming original condition - we use it to secure the 0 percent duty rate under CN code 9705. After we clear the vehicle, you receive from us the complete documents for the next steps (technical inspection HU/AU, individual vehicle approval where needed, registration) at the road traffic authority and TUV/DEKRA.
After the typical deadline (often 14 days) the shipment is returned to the sender or released for destruction; an extension is only possible with good cause. As soon as you send us the pick-up notice with invoice and transport document, we file the declaration as a rule within 1 to 2 working days.
Until now, goods consignments with an intrinsic value up to EUR 150 were free of customs duty (import VAT has been due from EUR 0 since 1 July 2021). From 1 July 2026 this relief falls away; we calculate the simplified flat-rate duty of EUR 3 per consignment and the import VAT remains unchanged. Orders under EUR 150 also become subject to duty. We file in ATLAS or IZA and keep you updated as the systems are confirmed ready for the cut-off date.
Yes, we clear private shipments from Switzerland and the UK - both are non-EU countries under customs law. Traveller goods above the allowances, online purchases, vehicle imports and removal goods are all subject to declaration. For the UK, we check preference eligibility under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement where the origin rules are met. You send us the documents - we assess each case and give you the charge total upfront.