Moving Household Goods from Turkey to Germany: Customs Relief for Residence-Permit Holders and the T1 Transit Process

Germany remains the top destination for people moving from Turkey: every year tens of thousands relocate for skilled-worker visas (Fachkräfte), the Blue Card, family reunification, university and Ausbildung. You do not have to start your new life without your belongings. Anyone who obtains a residence permit in Germany and transfers their residence from Turkey can bring their used household goods in free of customs duty and import VAT. This guide explains Germany's "Übersiedlungsgut" (removal goods) relief, the documents you need, the T1 transit procedure that applies to road transport from Turkey to Germany, and delivery in cities such as Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt and Cologne.

German Customs Relief: Übersiedlungsgut

EU customs legislation (the Customs Duty Relief Regulation) and the German customs administration (Zoll) exempt from tax the personal property of people transferring their normal residence from a third country to the EU. In Germany this relief is known as Übersiedlungsgut.

Conditions for Relief

• Your normal residence has been outside the EU (in Turkey) for the last 12 months.
• The goods have been used by you for at least 6 months before the move.
• The goods will be used for the same purpose at your new residence.
• The goods are imported within 12 months of the date you transfer your residence to Germany (in one go or in several consignments).
• The imported goods are not sold, hired out or transferred for 12 months.

What Is Not Covered

Alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, commercial vehicles, machinery and equipment for professional use (except portable hand tools) and commercial quantities of goods are excluded from the relief. New, unopened items attract customs duty and 19% German import VAT (Einfuhrumsatzsteuer).

Documents You Will Need

• Passport and German residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel), visa or Blue Card
• Anmeldung (residence registration): the Meldebescheinigung issued by the local registration office (Bürgeramt). If you do not have it yet, the application can be made with your tenancy agreement and employment contract; in some cases customs accepts it being submitted later.
• Proof of residence in Turkey: a residence certificate, utility bill or work/school document covering the last 12 months
• Relief application form (Zollformular 0350): "Antrag auf Befreiung von Einfuhrabgaben für Übersiedlungsgut". We complete the form on your behalf.
• Detailed inventory (in German or English; box number, contents, quantity, approximate value)
• Power of attorney for Turkish export and German import customs formalities
• Invoices for any new items

What Is the T1 Transit Procedure?

Because Turkey is not an EU member, when a truck leaving Turkey reaches the EU border (Bulgaria – Kapıkule) its cargo has the status of "non-Union goods". So that the goods can cross Bulgaria, Serbia/Romania, Hungary and Austria without being taxed until they reach the customs office in Germany, a T1 transit declaration is opened. Under T1:

1. The Turkish export declaration is closed at Kapıkule.
2. On entry into Bulgaria (Kapitan Andreevo) the T1 transit is opened, the load is sealed and a guarantee is lodged.
3. The vehicle passes through the transit countries without inspection; the seal stays intact.
4. At the customs office of destination in Germany the T1 is discharged and the Übersiedlungsgut relief declaration is filed for the goods.
5. Customs examines the documents, carries out a physical check if necessary and releases the goods.

The Common Transit Convention applies between Turkey and the EU, so experienced carriers open the T1 in Turkey (via the NCTS system) to cut waiting time at the border. REG Transport vehicles open the T1 in Turkey and our partner customs brokers in Germany handle the arrival formalities.

The Turkey-to-Germany Moving Process

1. Survey and quotation: inventory or video survey; volume (m³) and shipping method are determined; written quotation.
2. Document preparation: relief form, inventory and power of attorney are drawn up.
3. Packing and loading: our crew packs, labels and loads at your address in Turkey.
4. Exit from Turkey and T1: exit via Kapıkule; transit declaration.
5. European transit: Bulgaria–Serbia–Hungary–Austria–Germany; 3-5 days.
6. German customs: relief formalities at the customs office of destination; usually 1-2 working days.
7. Delivery: to your address from our Frankfurt warehouse or directly from the vehicle; assembly and removal of packaging.

Total time is 5-9 days for groupage (part-load) and 4-6 days for a dedicated vehicle. We run regular weekly departures on our Germany route, and our Frankfurt warehouse offers interim storage and phased delivery.

Delivering in German Cities: Practical Notes

• Halteverbotszone: in cities such as Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne and Frankfurt, a street parking reservation for loading and unloading must be obtained from the municipality 1-2 weeks in advance; we arrange this permit on your behalf.
• Altbau buildings: the narrow, winding staircases of older buildings may require an external furniture lift (Möbellift) for large pieces.
• Delivery hours: moving on Sundays and public holidays is prohibited in most federal states; deliveries are planned for weekdays.
• Packaging waste: Germany's waste-sorting rules are strict; our crew takes the packaging materials back.

Groupage or a Dedicated Vehicle?

For students, Ausbildung trainees and one- or two-bedroom homes, groupage is the economical choice; your goods are distributed to every city in Germany via our Frankfurt warehouse. For family moves and homes of three bedrooms or more, a dedicated (full-load) vehicle is faster. CMR insurance is included with both methods, and value insurance can be added.

What Determines the Cost?

• Volume (m³): a student or single person 5-10 m³, a two-bedroom home 18-25 m³, a three-bedroom home 25-35 m³.
• Shipping method: groupage (distribution via Frankfurt) or a dedicated vehicle (direct).
• Packing: professional packing including materials and labour, or packing yourself.
• Delivery conditions: Halteverbotszone permit, floor, need for a Möbellift.
• Customs services: export declaration, T1 guarantee, relief declaration in Germany.
• Insurance and storage.

Prohibited and Restricted Items for Germany

• Prohibited: meat and dairy products, fresh food, plants and soil, weapons, fireworks, certain types of knives.
• Restricted: alcohol and tobacco (outside the relief), prescription medicines (personal quantities, with a prescription), packaged dry food in limited quantities.
• Electrical appliances: Turkey and Germany use the same 230V/50Hz system and the plug types are compatible. Satellite receivers and some TVs may not work because of differences in broadcasting standards.

Worked Example: Moving from Ankara to Munich on a Blue Card

A couple starting work as software engineers in Munich want to take the contents of their two-bedroom home in Ankara. The relief application is prepared with the employment contract and D visa, and the Munich tenancy agreement is added to the file. A video survey puts the volume at 16 m³ and groupage is chosen. After loading, the vehicle enters Europe under T1 and reaches our Frankfurt warehouse on day four, where the couple's goods are transferred to the vehicle bound for Munich. The Anmeldung in Munich is done and the Halteverbotszone permit was obtained a week earlier. Delivery on day seven: our crew carries the goods to the third floor and assembles the bed and wardrobe. Tax paid: zero.

Why REG Transport?

• Over 12 years of hands-on experience: thousands of completed shipments for families and businesses on the Turkey–UK and Turkey–Europe routes.
• Our own fleet and warehouses: depots in Istanbul, Gaziantep, London and Frankfurt; regular weekly departures that do not depend on third-party hauliers.
• Licensed customs operation: export declarations in Turkey and import declarations in the destination country are handled by our partner customs brokers; we prepare all documents on your behalf.
• One point of contact: the same account manager from survey to delivery, with updates at loading, border crossing and delivery.
• Transparent quotation: freight, packing, customs, insurance and delivery are itemised separately in writing; no surprise costs.
• Insurance: CMR included; full-value cover on declared value available.

Common Mistakes

• Shipping goods before completing the Anmeldung — customs asks for proof of residence.
• Claiming relief after living in Turkey for less than 12 months (for example after a short return from Germany).
• Listing unopened products as used.
• Leaving the inventory in Turkish; German customs expects a list in German or English.
• Waiting until after loading to open the T1 — waiting time at the border grows.

Frequently Asked Questions

My residence permit has not been issued yet, but I have a visa. Can I ship my goods?

Yes. A national (D) visa together with a tenancy or employment contract can be sufficient for the relief application; the file is completed after the Anmeldung.

How long does shipping to Germany take?

5-9 days for groupage, 4-6 days for a dedicated vehicle.

If I take new furniture on which I paid VAT in Turkey, will I be taxed again in Germany?

Yes. New items are not covered by the relief, and customs duty plus 19% import VAT is payable in Germany. See our article on shipping furniture to Germany for details.

Will my goods be opened at customs?

There is a possibility of physical inspection; properly labelled boxes and an item-by-item inventory reduce the check to minutes.

Can I bring my car too?

Yes. A private car registered in your name for at least 6 months can be imported under the Übersiedlungsgut relief. The car travels in the same shipment as your goods or on a separate car transporter.

Let's Plan Your Move to Germany

With warehouses in Istanbul, Gaziantep and Frankfurt, our own fleet and our German customs-broker partners, we move household goods door to door from every city in Turkey to every address in Germany. Send us your inventory and receive a written quotation the same day. For the general framework of personal-effects rules, see our complete guide to moving household goods abroad, and for service details our international household removals page.