The Treasurer’s Guide to Trade Finance

Germany

Principal exports

Machinery, vehicles, chemicals, electrical and

electronic equipment, metals and manufactures,

pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, and textiles.

Import/Export documentation

Within the EU: no documentation

requirements, but a commercial invoice is

typically included.

Outside the EU: commercial invoice, customs

declaration, bill of lading, packing list and,

sometimes, a certificate of origin.

Licences

Imports

ƒ Import licences with quotas: various textiles

and steel imports from outside the EU.

Exports

ƒ Goods/items that are subject to international

controls.

ƒ Military equipment and dual-use items.

Tariffs/Taxes

Imports

ƒ Tariffs on imports from outside the EU are

set according to the EU’s common customs

code, with higher rates for agricultural

imports.

Exports

ƒ None.

Financing requirements for imports/

exports

ƒ None.

Prohibited items

ƒ Imports that are prohibited in accordance

with EU regulations and UN Security Council

resolutions, such as items deemed a threat

to fauna and flora and national security.

ƒ Exports that are prohibited in accordance

with EU regulations and UN Security Council

resolutions.

Germany imports exports

Trade information

Key trading partners

Imports by origin

EU 54.8%

China 8.9%

USA 5.5%

Switzerland 4.2%

Russian

Federation 3.3%

Other 19.5%

Source: WTO, September 2012

Exports by destination

EU 58.2%

USA 7.0%

China 6.1%

Swizterland 4.5%

Russian

Federation 3.3%

Other 20.9%