Moving from Germany to United States is a container sea-freight corridor with a typical door-to-door transit of 4–7 weeks. A two-bedroom household of roughly 18–22 m³ usually lands between $9,200 and $11,500 on a full-service basis, based on published corridor benchmarks we track for this route.
On arrival, United States applies Duty-free entry of personal effects (CBP Form 3299) under US federal customs framework (jurisdiction-specific). Import VAT in United States is 0%, and relief is what keeps your household goods out of that charge. Shipments normally arrive through New York / New Jersey or Savannah.
This page covers what actually changes on the Germany → United States route: what you will pay, how long the shipment is at sea, the paperwork United States customs expects from a departure in Germany, and what to do about pets, a vehicle and somewhere to live when you land.
Departures from Germany normally load at Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam (road feeder). Exports from Germany to countries outside the EU need an ATLAS export declaration; moves to other EU states are free circulation with no customs entry. German removal firms survey in person and issue itemised volume estimates in m³, which map directly to the volumes used below. The corridor covers roughly 7,034 nautical miles.
| Home size | Estimated volume | Typical method | Door-to-door range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Few Items | 3–5 m³ | LCL groupage (shared container) | $3,400–$4,300 |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | 8–12 m³ | LCL groupage (shared container) | $5,300–$6,700 |
| 2-Bedroom Home | 18–22 m³ | 20-foot container (sole-use FCL) | $9,200–$11,500 |
| 3-Bedroom Home | 28–32 m³ | 20-foot container (sole-use FCL) | $9,800–$12,500 |
| 4+ Bedroom Home | 45–60 m³ | 40-foot high-cube container (FCL) | $13,000–$16,500 |
Ranges are anchored to published benchmark pricing we track on this corridor. This is an estimated relocation cost for planning purposes, not a binding quote. Final pricing is confirmed by a vetted international moving partner after a survey.
Booking & packing lead time
3–5 weeks in summer, 2 weeks off-peak
Port-to-port sailing
4–7 weeks
Clearance & delivery
3–5 weeks typical clearance window in United States
Shipments from Germany are treated as an import from outside United States's customs territory. The requirements below apply, and the supporting evidence customs will ask for — proof of address, residence history, ownership records — must be documents issued in Germany.
Duty-free entry of personal effects (CBP Form 3299) — US federal customs framework (jurisdiction-specific)
The US has no federal import VAT. Household goods and personal effects you have owned and used abroad for at least 12 months are generally admitted duty-free; CBP Form 3299 is the declaration used for unaccompanied shipments.
Conditions
Documents from Germany
Rules vary by destination and may also depend on your country of origin, immigration status and circumstances. This guide is educational and is not legal, tax or customs advice.
Open the full customs guideThe US admits used household goods duty-free when you have owned and used them for at least a year, declared on CBP Form 3299. There is no federal import VAT — but agriculture screening of food, plants and soil is among the strictest anywhere.
Find furnished temporary housing through our AltoVita partnership.
MyExpatGo helps connect you with temporary housing options. Availability is subject to AltoVita and provider inventory — MyExpatGo does not guarantee or book accommodation.
Requirements vary by species and vaccination history — see our pet relocation guides.
Imported vehicles must meet EPA emissions and DOT safety standards; cars 25 years or older are exempt from both. Conforming a modern foreign-spec car is expensive, so most movers sell before shipping and buy stateside. A vehicle registered in Germany may need conformity, lighting or emissions work before it can be road-legal in United States.
Vehicle import guide
Nobel Relocation
Family-run, FAIM-certified US mover with East Coast hubs in Miami, Atlanta and Maryland.
Asian Tigers
Asia's leading relocation group with 14 country offices across the region's primary commercial centres.
ELL Worldwide Movers
UAE-based international removals specialist serving the GCC and worldwide destinations.
Elite Shipping India
India-based global relocation specialist offering fine art and pet relocation services.
Globe Moving
India's longest-established international mover, with a door-to-door network spanning 180+ countries.
Partners do not pay to be part of the matched network. How we vet partners.
Tell us what you are shipping and we will match you with vetted movers who run this corridor. Free, no obligation, and partners never pay for placement.
