Germany FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
The U.S. Commercial Service in Germany prepares industry specific market research reports that can be found in the Market Research Library. Furthermore, the U.S. Commercial Service in Germany offers Customized Market Research to specifically fit your needs. Finally, the Country Commercial Guide offers further information on how to do business in the German market.
Check out our separate All-Europe Website for general information on the European market. Detailed market information on other European markets is prepared by the Commercial Service offices in those countries. Have a look at the complete list of our offices worldwide.
The U.S. Commercial Service in Germany uses a variety of resources, including in-country databases and local expertise, to provide you with import statistics and list of potential importers for your product. An overview of the German market can be found in our Country Commercial Guide. For more information, please contact one of our specialists.
For detailed information, please visit the Commercial Service’s Country Tariff and Tax Information website or the European Union Tariff Schedule.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Germany produces a number of publications every year, including a listing of American organizations in Germany. For further details, please visit AmCham Germany.
An International Trade Specialist at your nearest Export Assistance Center can assist you to obtain market information and provide information about the wide range of U.S. Commercial Service export promotion programs and services.
The U.S. Commercial Service in Germany offers a variety of services and tools to help U.S. exporters find partners. Please refer to our “Find Business Partners in Germany” section for a list of our services - or directly contact one of our Commercial Specialists.
Credit reports are offered as a part of our International Company Profile service.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Trade Office at the Embassy assists U.S. exporters of agricultural products. Please contact agberlin@usda.gov
Please refer to our business service providers.
We do not provide assistance for exports from Germany to the United States. Germany Trade and Invest in Cologne may be able to help you, or you can contact the American Chamber of Commerce Germany.
Many U.S. states have an economic development office somewhere in Europe. Please visit the website of the Council of American States in Europe for more information.
Please visit the U.S. Embassy’s entry and visa website or call our Visa Information Service Hotline: 03222 1093243 (from Germany) or 1-703-520-2560 (from U.S.A.)
We do not deal with customs regulations for shipments to the United States. Please see U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection for more information.
We do not deal with customs regulations for shipments to Germany. Please see the German Customs Authority for more information.
A value-added tax identification number is mandatory for companies, that sell or buy goods and services in the European Union. The Finanzamt Bonn (tax office) is responsible for U.S. Companies in Germany: VAT FAQs for U.S. companies in Germany.
An additional source of information is the Federal Central Tax Office, which is in responsible for national and international topics related to taxes. You can find a wide range of topics regarding VAT in Germany on the BZSt website. Unfortunately, the forms are currently only available in German. Their website about Advance Rulings could also be of great interest.
There are two options to submit your tax data. It can either be done via the ELSTER online portal or the BZSt online portal. Further information can be found on the homepage of the BZSt, under electronic data submission.