Preparation for import into Germany
Registering EORI Number - Economic Operators Registration and Identification number
In order to import and export goods into and out of the EU, individuals/enterprises of the EU are required to use the EORI number as an identification number in all customs procedures when exchanging information with the EU’s Customs administrations. Each economic operator only has an EORI number, valid throughout the EU territory. Thus, in order to import goods from Vietnam into Germany, the importer must register an EORI number and must declare the EORI number on all customs declarations.
The EORI number is assigned upon request and free of charge by the General Directorate of Customs’ Master Data Management office in Dresden (GZD - DO Dresden - Stammdatenmanagement). However, from October 1, 2019, importers can register or change recorded data via the Portal for citizens and corporate customers at www.zoll- portal.de.
For detailed information on the procedure for requesting an EORI number, see the link: https://www.zoll.de/EN/Businesses/Movement-of-goods/Import/Duties-and-taxes/EORI-number/eori -number_node.html.
Determining the import category of goods
Not all goods are allowed to be imported into Germany, and not all goods imported into Germany have the same import mechanism. In fact, for a number of reasons, Germany may impose import bans/restriction regulations on certain countries, individuals/organizations and goods.
Therefore, before importing goods into the German market, importers need to determine the import category of their goods to determine the corresponding procedures. Some goods are banned/restricted from import, or subject to special control, so Vietnamese exporters and German importers need to pay special attention.
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What goods are imported into Germany subject to import restrictions or special controls? Goods banned from import Similar to other countries, the EU/Germany also bans the import of some goods that are likely to affect national security, human life and health, environment, culture... List of goods banned from import to Germany can be found at: https://crossborder.fedex.com/us/assets/prohibited-restricted/germany/index.shtml. Goods on this list will not be allowed to be imported into the German market. Prohibited/restricted imports from certain countries or specific organizations/individuals For a number of reasons such as foreign or security policies, Germany may implement measures that prohibit or restrict the import of goods from certain countries (commonly known as embargoes), or from certain organizations/specific individuals (often called sanctions) The list of embargoed countries is detailed at: https://www.zoll.de/SharedDocs/Boxen/EN/Hintergrund/0016_list_of_embargoed_countries.html?nn=204780&faqCalledDoc=204780. Vietnam is not on this list. The list of organizations/individuals subject to sanctions is detailed at: https://www.zoll.de/SharedDocs/Boxen/EN/Hintergrund/0017_list_of_individuals_and_organisations.html?nn=205762&faqCalledDoc=205762 . Currently, there are no Vietnamese organizations/individuals on this list. Goods subject to special control (specialized inspection, import license, etc.) Goods imported into Germany, depending on different types, can be controlled in different forms, for example: - Fruits and vegetables: Need to comply with the limit level of pesticide residues, microorganisms and impurities, have the Phytosanitary certificate, comply with labeling requirements... - Seafood: Need to comply with the limit level of antibiotic residues, pesticide residues, and contaminant residues for seafood, meet labeling requirements, have Sanitary Certificate, must be caught legally... - Textiles and Garments: need to meet the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD), comply with regulations on chemicals restricted from use in the textiles, comply with labeling requirements… and some specific products (children's clothing, protective clothing...) need to comply with additional regulations. Vietnamese exporters need to carefully learn about the specific import regulations and requirements on their goods to meet and obtain relevant certificates when exporting to Germany, through which the importer can complete the relevant import procedures. |
Source: "Business Handbook: Exploiting the EVFTA to import and export goods between Vietnam and Germany" - Center for WTO and International Trade
