Importing from China to Germany: product conformity
For Germany, settle product conformity before shipment: EU guidance says importers must ensure goods conform to EU law and cannot import them otherwise. Agree the evidence for your exact product, ship to your German port and use your own broker for entry. The China-side sourcing and checks are managed by Cambridge China Bridge.
Check product conformity before committing
The main gate is product conformity. EU guidance says that importers must ensure their goods conform to EU law; otherwise, they cannot import them. For a German buyer, the practical step is to identify the applicable product requirements before approving the factory or paying for production.
CE marking is only required for products covered by harmonised EU rules that specifically mandate it. Ask a product compliance specialist to confirm the scope for your exact model, materials and intended use. Agree the test evidence, declaration, label artwork and German instructions to review before shipment. Treat a supplier's certificate as something to verify against the goods you are buying.
Agree a quote to your German port
We can source through our UK company while the goods travel from China directly to your German port. Send the specification, quantities, intended use and named destination port. Ask the quote to identify the delivery term, freight, insurance, destination charges and where responsibility passes to you.
Ask for German clearance, duties, import VAT and onward delivery to be shown separately from the port quote. Buying from China outside the UK explains overseas arrangements; the Ireland guide provides a related direct-import example. Our buy-through-UK-company service explains the working arrangement. For Switzerland, see our importing from China to Switzerland guide.
Brief your own customs broker before shipping
EU guidance says economic operators must communicate their EORI number to EU customs authorities for customs operations. Ask your German broker to check your customs identification details before dispatch and agree who will be named as importer on the entry.
Appoint your own broker to prepare and lodge the arrival declaration, review the commodity classification, origin and customs value, confirm duties and import VAT, and coordinate clearance queries. Give them the product description and draft documents before loading. Your own customs broker confirms the final entry, including any product-specific permits or additional evidence.
Build a document pack that matches the shipment
The Chinese factory supplies product descriptions, packing details and the available test reports. We coordinate the commercial invoice with the agreed seller and assemble the packing list, shipping documents and inspection report for your broker. Arrange a certificate of origin where your broker requests it; agree its issuer and wording before dispatch rather than treating it as a universal requirement.
Check that invoice quantities, carton counts, weights and product descriptions agree across the pack. Match test reports to the actual model, materials and factory, and request the relevant conformity declaration and supporting technical evidence. Send draft labels and instructions to your compliance adviser for approval. Keep missing documents and unresolved findings on the shipment release list.
Verify the factory and inspect the finished order
Our own staff in China check supplier identity, the manufacturing site and the line proposed for your order. Agree an approved sample and written acceptance criteria. Before shipment, inspect the finished goods against those criteria, including workmanship, function, packaging and approved labels; record defects and ask the buyer to decide whether corrections are sufficient for release.
Keep supplier capability, batch inspection and laboratory evidence separate. Factory audit versus inspection reports explains what each report proves. For our pricing, factory audits and inspections are usually included in the quote; complex checks that need a third party are charged separately and agreed in advance.
Frequently asked questions
Do all products imported into Germany need CE marking?
No. CE marking is only required for products covered by harmonised EU rules that specifically mandate it. Confirm the scope for your exact product before ordering.
Can I buy through a UK sourcing company and ship to Germany?
Yes. We can manage sourcing and checks in China and quote to your German port. Agree the seller, importer, delivery term and document responsibilities before ordering.
Who clears my shipment when it arrives in Germany?
Your appointed customs broker handles the arrival declaration and clearance queries. They confirm the final entry, duties, import VAT and any product-specific requirements.
Which documents should I request from the Chinese factory?
Request packing details and test reports matched to your goods. We coordinate the commercial invoice and packing list, and arrange a certificate of origin where your broker requests it.