In Germany, there are about 210,000 Chinese and about 40,000 Chinese students. Although Germany does not have traditional "Chinatowns," there are active Chinese communities in cities like Düsseldorf, Berlin, and Frankfurt. German Asian supermarkets (e.g., Go Asia, Vinh-Loi) carry some Chinese products, but the selection is limited and prices are much higher than in China. Germany's tuition-free policy attracts many Chinese students, who have a strong demand forTaobao consolidationis particularly high.
Taobao is China's largest comprehensive e-commerce platform, with over 1 billion products. From daily necessities to branded apparel, from digital accessories to specialty foods, almost anything you can think of can be found on Taobao. Taobao's "consolidation" function supports shipping products from multiple stores to the same warehouse, making it especially suitable for overseas Chinese who want to buy a variety of products at once. Additionally, Taobao's review system is comprehensive, and the "Ask Everyone" feature helps you learn about other buyers' real experiences.
How to ship from Taobao to Germany? Complete process
Shopping on Taobao and shipping to Germany only requires the following 4 steps:
- After registeringImagineShipGet Warehouse Address — Register for freeGet an exclusive warehouse address in Shenzhen (with your unique code) to use as the shipping address when placing orders on Taobao.
- Place orders on Taobao — Shop normally on Taobao and fill in the ImagineShip warehouse address as the shipping address. It is recommended to use Alipay for payment, as the exchange rate is usually better than credit cards. Some overseas bank cards can also be linked to Alipay.
- Warehouse Consolidation & Submit for Shipping — You will be notified automatically when packages arrive at the warehouse. Multiple packages can be consolidated to save shipping costs. Choose a shipping method (air/sea) and pay the shipping fee online.
- Full Tracking & Wait for Delivery — ImagineShip handles professional packaging, export customs declaration, and German customs clearance. Full logistics tracking ensures your package arrives safely in Germany.
How long does it take to ship from Taobao to Germany? Shipping routes and delivery times
There are multiple mature logistics routes from Shenzhen, China to Germany. Choose flexibly based on your needs for transit time and price:
| Shipping method | Shipping Route | Estimated Delivery Time | Suitable scenarios |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Air Freight | Shenzhen → Hong Kong/Guangzhou Airport → Frankfurt Airport → Nationwide delivery in Germany | 10-15 working days | Urgent items, lightweight packages, daily shopping |
| 🚢 Sea Freight | Shenzhen Shekou Port → Hamburg Port (Europe's third-largest port) | 30-45 Days | Large furniture, bulk items, non-urgent goods |
ImagineShip automatically recommends the optimal shipping plan based on package weight and volume. Consolidating multiple items can typically save 20%-40% on shipping costs. For detailed shipping rates, please checkShipping Rate Inquirypage.
German Customs Clearance and Tariff Policy
Packages sent to Germany need to understand local customs policies to plan shopping budgets wisely:
- Duty-Free Allowance: €150
- Duty rate: 0%-14% duty + 19% VAT (EU uniform)
As an EU member state, Germany implements the EU's unified customs policy. Since 2021, the €22 VAT exemption has been abolished, and all imported goods are subject to 19% VAT (Mehrwertsteuer). Goods valued over €150 are also subject to additional customs duties. ImagineShip offers EU dual-clearance tax-included service to handle complex EU customs procedures for you.
For more duty information, please refer toCountry-specific Tariff Policiespage.
Most popular items shipped from Taobao to Germany
According to ImagineShip user data, the most purchased item categories by Chinese in Germany on Taobao include:
- Chinese snacks and seasonings (Sichuan pepper, bean paste, Lao Gan Ma; limited variety in German Asian supermarkets)
- Chinese kitchen appliances (220V appliances work in Germany, but need a German standard round two-pin plug)
- Chinese books and stationery (essential for students' study and daily life)
- Clothing and shoes (German local brands are practical but lack fashion options)
- Tea and health products (Germans also love tea, but Chinese tea is extremely expensive in Germany)
- Phone cases and digital accessories (domestic accessories cost only 1/10 of German prices)
The most suitable categories for consolidation on Taobao include: daily necessities, clothing and footwear, home decoration, storage items, snacks, and baby products. Through ImagineShip'sconsolidation services, these items can all be safely shipped to Germany.
Delivery Methods After Package Arrives in Germany
Germany has a well-developed domestic logistics network, with last-mile delivery by DHL, DPD, or Hermes. Nationwide delivery typically takes 1-2 days. DHL has the highest coverage in Germany and also operates many Packstations (self-service parcel lockers), which are very convenient for students to set up self-pickup.
Practical tips for shipping from Taobao to Germany
- Germany uses the European standard round two-pin plug (C/F type), requiring a plug adapter
- DHL Packstation self-service parcel lockers are available nationwide; you can set them as your delivery address after registration
- German customs inspections are strict; it is recommended to declare packages truthfully. Under-declaration, if caught, will result in fines
- October's Oktoberfest and December's Christmas are peak seasons for packages; plan ahead
Why choose ImagineShip to ship Taobao packages to Germany?
- Professional Taobao consolidation experience — Familiar with Taobao platform rules and shipping processes, handling all types of packages with ease
- Self-operated Warehouse in Shenzhen — Free receiving and storage for 30 days, free inspection and photo-taking to confirm product condition.
- Germany Dedicated Logistics — Mature China-to-Germany shipping routes with stable transit times
- Dual Clearance & Tax Included Service — Full handling of export customs declaration and German customs clearance, no extra worries
- Full Chinese customer support throughout the process — Communicate anytime via WeChat or online chat, no language barriers
- End-to-end logistics tracking — Real-time tracking of your package from warehouse entry to delivery in Germany
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days does Taobao consolidated shipping to Germany usually take?
Air freight typically takes 10-15 working days, while sea freight takes 30-45 days. Specific transit times are affected by season, holidays, and local customs clearance speed. ImagineShip provides full logistics updates so you can track your package anytime.
How much does it cost to ship from Taobao to Germany?
Shipping fees are calculated based on actual weight or volumetric weight (whichever is greater), and vary by shipping method and weight range. Consolidating multiple packages can typically save 20%–40% on shipping costs. For specific fees, please use ImagineShip'sshipping calculatorto check.
Can items purchased on Taobao be shipped directly to Germany?
Some Taobao items support international direct shipping, but the cost is higher and the product range is limited. Using ImagineShip's forwarding service, almost all Taobao items can be shipped to Germany at a lower cost, with support for consolidation to save on shipping.
What items on Taobao cannot be shipped to Germany?
Internationally prohibited items such as flammable and explosive goods, knives and weapons, live animals and plants cannot be shipped. German customs have additional restrictions on specific items (e.g., food, medicine, batteries). It is recommended to checkProhibited Items Listfor details.
Ready to get started?Register for ImagineShip now, start your shopping journey from Taobao to Germany!
