Customs Clearance Flowers & Plants for Germany
Our customs team manages the complete customs clearance for Flowers & Plants to and from Germany. AEO-F certified, experienced with the specific permits, certificates, and origin documents for this combination.
For Flowers & Plants between NL and Germany require attention on multiple fronts. On one side, product-specific rules apply for Flowers & Plants (HS codes, certificates, possibly DGR). On the other side, the trade regime between the EU and Germany (EU) determines which import duties and origin documents apply.
On this page you will find the combination: what specifically applies to Flowers & Plants, plus what applies specifically to Germany, plus how Aircargo.nl handles this combination daily.
Germany is EU-lidstaat. Voor Flowers & Plants binnen het EU-grondgebied geldt vrij verkeer — geen formele douaneaangifte vereist. Wel: een correcte handelsfactuur met BTW-nummer (VIES-validatie) voor 0% BTW intracommunautaire levering, plus eventuele productspecifieke regels (zoals fytosanitair voor planten, veterinair voor vlees/vis).
Specific Rules for Flowers & Plants
Flowers and plants are phytosanitary sensitive. For every shipment from a third country, Dutch Customs plus the NVWA require a valid phytosanitary certificate. For CITES species (orchids, certain cycas varieties) a CITES permit is additionally required. Inspections are consistently more stringent than for ordinary goods due to strict visual inspection protocols.
HS Code Examples:
Cut flowers — chapter 06: 0603.11 roses, 0603.12 carnations, 0603.19 other fresh cut flowers. Live plants: 0602.90 other live plants. Bulbs and tubers: 0601.10. For export use 8-digit CN codes, for import 10-digit TARIC codes.
Specific Rules for Germany
EU member state, so no customs declaration required for goods freely moving within the EU. Relevant for air freight routes via Schiphol: for exports outside the EU from the Netherlands, Germany is often a transit country or last-mile destination. The VAT reverse charge scheme between the Netherlands and Germany supports cash flow for B2B transactions.
Typical Documents:
No customs documents required for intra-EU traffic. However: commercial invoice with VAT number and VIES validation of the buyer is needed for 0% VAT intra-community supply.
Import Duties and Charges for Flowers & Plants Germany
Import duties on cut flowers from non-EU countries generally range from 5-12% depending on type and season. Under free trade agreements (Kenya under EBA, Israel, Morocco) duties are often 0%. On top of import duties there is 9% VAT for fresh flowers in the Netherlands.
Under which regime: Germany falls under “EU.” Origin document for preferential tariff: geen. We calculate exactly what you owe in advance and prepare the correct origin document.
Our ACE license (Authorized Consignor) allows flower shipments to come directly from Schiphol to our facility in Aalsmeer — crucial due to the short shelf life. With our DPO license (Deferred Payment), we invoice import duties grouped instead of per shipment.
Key Figures Flowers & Plants Germany
Frequently Asked Questions about Flowers & Plants Germany
How long does customs clearance take for Flowers & Plants from Germany?
With correct documentation, clearance typically occurs within a few hours at Schiphol. For Germany shipments, we use Immediate — no customs declaration as a benchmark. For Flowers & Plants, additional inspections (phytosanitary, veterinary, NVWA) may require extra time — we notify you in advance to minimize waiting times.
What documents do I need for Flowers & Plants Germany?
For Flowers & Plants: see the product-specific certificates above. For Germany: see typical documents above. The combination means we gather both sets and coordinate them. You provide commercial invoice, packing list, and any certificates — we validate and prepare the declaration.
Can I pay import duties for this flow in a grouped manner?
Yes. Under our DPO permit (Deferred Payment Option), you can pay import duties and VAT for Flowers & Plants from Germany collectively — monthly instead of per shipment.
Which origin document do I use for preferential tariff?
geen. We prepare this document under our authorization as customs agents, provided the origin rules (including product-specific rules for Flowers & Plants) are met.
How does your service work in practice?
We handle the entire process: pre-declaration (Pre-Lodgement), import declaration (DMS), any NVWA notifications for Flowers & Plants, and payment processing under DPO if desired. You get a single point of contact for the whole clearance.
Ready for customs clearance of Flowers & Plants Germany?
Send us your shipment details for customs clearance of Flowers & Plants to Germany. We respond within 4 hours with a fixed price.