LitBuy shipping to Germany and the EU
Updated: 6 Oct 2026
What happens to a LitBuy parcel at the German border, what you pay on top of the shipping price, and what changed in July 2026. This is general information, not tax advice.
Do I pay import VAT in Germany?
Yes. Parcels from outside the EU are subject to import VAT (Einfuhrumsatzsteuer) from the first euro. In Germany the standard rate is 19%. It is calculated on the customs value, which includes the price of the goods plus the cost of international shipping and insurance up to the EU border, plus any customs duty. This has not changed in 2026.
Do I pay customs duty on LitBuy parcels?
Yes, since 1 July 2026. Until then, goods worth up to €150 were exempt from customs duty. The EU has abolished that exemption. As an interim measure, consignments under €150 now pay a flat duty of €3 per type of goods, counted by customs tariff heading rather than per parcel. The EU plans to replace the flat rate with a permanent system around 2028. Parcels worth more than €150 pay the normal duty rate for each product type, which you can look up in the EU tariff database.
What does a typical parcel cost in tax?
Worked examples with the German VAT rate. Duty is added before VAT is calculated.
| Parcel | Goods | Shipping | Flat duty | VAT 19% | Tax total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 hoodies (one item type) | €100.00 | €30.00 | €3.00 | €25.27 | €28.27 |
| 1 hoodie + 1 pair of sneakers (two types) | €100.00 | €30.00 | €6.00 | €25.84 | €31.84 |
VAT base = goods + shipping + duty, e.g. (€100 + €30 + €3) × 19% = €25.27. Carriers may add their own handling fee for clearing the parcel. Check current rules on zoll.de and the EU’s taxation and customs site.
Who collects the tax?
Depending on the shipping line, the tax is either collected by the carrier on delivery, together with a handling fee the carrier charges, or you have to collect the parcel from a customs office. Shipping lines that state they include duties and taxes handle this for you; read the line description in your LitBuy account before you pick one.
What should German buyers watch out for?
- Keep your order confirmation and payment receipt; customs may ask for proof of the value.
- Declare the real value. Under-declaring is not allowed and can lead to fines and seized parcels.
- Branded goods that are not genuine can be seized by customs, regardless of the price you paid.
- Several item types in one parcel each add the flat duty, so group similar items where it makes sense.
What about shipping to the USA?
US rules for low-value imports changed in 2025, and duty-free treatment that small parcels used to get no longer applies in the same way. Duties and fees now depend on the product and its origin. Check the current rules on cbp.gov and the shipping line description in your LitBuy account before you submit a parcel.
Shipping and customs questions
Is there still a €150 duty-free limit in the EU?
No. Since 1 July 2026 the €150 customs duty exemption for parcels from outside the EU no longer applies. Low-value parcels pay a flat €3 duty per item type instead.
Is the €3 charged per parcel or per item?
Per type of goods in the parcel, based on the customs tariff heading, not per parcel. Two hoodies count as one type; a hoodie and a pair of sneakers count as two.
Does a LitBuy coupon reduce import VAT?
Not directly. A coupon lowers the shipping you pay, and VAT is charged on the goods plus the shipping actually paid plus duty, so a shipping coupon can lower the VAT base slightly.
Can I avoid tax by splitting an order into several parcels?
No. Splitting consignments to stay under limits is not allowed, and with the flat duty per item type it usually makes the total more expensive.
Next step: how to order on LitBuy, or back to the LitBuy spreadsheet.