Shipping to Germany?

[sin-n-dex]

I have a buyer pestering me to ship to him in Germany.

My understanding (from a while ago) is that there are special rules the German Gov't put in place with regards to shipping and packaging, and you need to pay a fee to comply.

Is this still a thing and does the seller have to pay, or is this something eBay deals with because it's their marketplace?

Anyone know if I can add shipping to Germany to a listing of stamps and sell them to this buyer? (The only reason I wasn't wanting to ship was because I thought we weren't supposed to without paying that German Gov't fee, and the issues I have with EU customs, if the buyer is OK with dealing with customs, I'd really like to sell him the stamps).

C.

[titipeo]

Buyers are responsible for customs formalities. As for shipping to Germany, I know there are some steps involved, but not familiar. Others will come along with better idea. I also do not ship international, to much of a hassle. Good luck. 

[sin-n-dex]

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@titipeo wrote:

Buyers are responsible for customs formalities. As for shipping to Germany, I know there are some steps involved, but not familiar. Others will come along with better idea. I also do not ship international, to much of a hassle. Good luck. 

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Thanks. Hopefully someone who ships to Germany can let me know what's involved, if anything, that I have to do.

I know buyers are responsible for customs but in the EU lots leave their packages at customs unclaimed and then go to eBay for a refund which is why I stopped shipping there. I get the odd buyer who knows how to deal with their customs office and doesn't mind doing so (and says so when we negotiate shipping there), and no problems there. I just want to deter just anyone from being able to buy and then shaft me with the refund which can be a lot due to shipping costs.

I knew Germany was a special case, so I've just been telling buyers I can't ship there (because I can't, not because I don't want to). The item in question is a stamped cover from France that's listed for $187 on sale right now. He really wants to buy it, and given my cost is zilch (now that I made my money back from that collection), I'm willing to take a chance if it's allowed.

C.

[ryry-jj]

Use eBay's international shipping program, and make sure all of your packaging materials are 100% recyclable, and best case made from recycled or second generation materials.  Avoid any bubble or plastic packaging as it can't be determined visually if recyclable.  Paper dunnage is best.  Use boxes made from recycled materials.  Look on the bottom, if it says in the BMC, (that circle info that says who made the box and where) 32ect then you know it is made from recycled fibers.  If it says 200#, 175# or 275#, those are virgin fiber boxes....still recyclable, but just made from virgin material.   Germany wants all the packaging materials to be 100% recyclable within their country

[sin-n-dex]

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@ryry-jj wrote:

Use eBay's international shipping program, and make sure all of your packaging materials are 100% recyclable, and best case made from recycled or second generation materials.  Avoid any bubble or plastic packaging as it can't be determined visually if recyclable.  Paper dunnage is best.  Use boxes made from recycled materials.  Look on the bottom, if it says in the BMC, (that circle info that says who made the box and where) 32ect then you know it is made from recycled fibers.  If it says 200#, 175# or 275#, those are virgin fiber boxes....still recyclable, but just made from virgin material.   Germany wants all the packaging materials to be 100% recyclable within their country

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Good to know. I checked what he wanted, it's a stamped envelope that ships inside a poly bag (inside a paper envelope). Can I use packing tape on the envelope? These don't have glue to shut, I have to tape them closed. There will be cardboard inside the envelope to keep it stiff. The envelope he wants to buy is $187, so I want to sell it to him for certain, but don't want any problems with customs.

I might do this one with Canada Post tracked packet (if buyer agrees to ship from Canada) because it will come back to me if German Customs doesn't accept it. If I ship with my US Origin shipper, the stuff never comes back if it's not Canada/USA.

BTW the poly bag is to protect it from moisture inside the paper envelope. I generally use plastic bubble mailers, but it sounds like I can't from what you posted. I might be able to use a cardboard box to ship which is also recyclable.

C.

[ryry-jj · Accepted solution]

Tape is fine, that washes out in recycling.  Not sure about the plastic bag.  Is it part of the item at that point, or as you say, a moisture barrier?  BTW, the plastic could actually create and hold the moisture, a paper glassine bag, like what stamp collectors use might be better.  Those Jiffy padded mailers with loose macerated paper padding inside would replace the bubble/foam mailers

Shipping from Canada, you have to know Germany's new rules.  That's the beauty of EIS, they do all that for us.  Not all packages are opened. I forgot to repackage an item that went to Germany and I left the bubble wrap inside it...nothing came of it and the item was received.

Search "German Packaging Act" & "Verpack G"

https://export.ebay.com/en/regulations/extended-producer-responsibility/german-packaging-act/

[sin-n-dex]

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@ryry-jj wrote:

Tape is fine, that washes out in recycling.  Not sure about the plastic bag.  Is it part of the item at that point, or as you say, a moisture barrier?  BTW, the plastic could actually create and hold the moisture, a paper glassine bag, like what stamp collectors use might be better.  Those Jiffy padded mailers with loose macerated paper padding inside would replace the bubble/foam mailers

Shipping from Canada, you have to know Germany's new rules.  That's the beauty of EIS, they do all that for us.  Not all packages are opened. I forgot to repackage an item that went to Germany and I left the bubble wrap inside it...nothing came of it and the item was received.

Search "German Packaging Act" & "Verpack G"

https://export.ebay.com/en/regulations/extended-producer-responsibility/german-packaging-act/

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I sold the item. The poly bag is to keep moisture from getting on it while in transit, not to keep moisture from getting on it while it sits in storage. Like if it rains, and I'm using paper and cardboard, if the rain is heavy (or snow even), it might damage the item because it's paper. The buyer is happy, he really wants it, hope there's no problem. I'm not going to use a bubble mailer or bubble wrap (since it's just paper), but will use cardboard inserts to keep it stiff.

C.