American sweets and snacks are popular everywhere. Their combinations are unique and provide the consumer with unmatched taste; it’s obvious everyone around the world wants to try them.
Unfortunately, shipping food internationally can be pretty tricky. There are important regulations you have to follow when you send parcel to Germany containing US-made produce, otherwise your parcel might be returned or even confiscated. Here’s what you can and can’t ship, the documentation you have to provide, and essential packing tips.
What You Can Ship
All European countries have certain regulations when it comes to food imports. When sending with Meest-America, you will have clear guidelines on what you can and can’t put in your package. In general, unopened, factory-packaged, and shelf-stable foods are safe to ship to Germany. This includes:
- packaged chips, cookies, and crackers;
- chocolate;
- hard candy and lollipops;
- coffee and tea;
- sealed sauces and nut butters;
- non-perishable canned food.
Although these are the safest bet for the sender, some of them can still be banned from entering the country.
Avoid Shipping These Foods
Then, there are foods that Meest-America does not recommend sending at all. In most cases, these will be confiscated at the border or returned to the sender:
- fresh produce like fruits and vegetables;
- meat;
- homemade foods;
- dairy ;
- perishable items, even if packaged correctly.
Foods and snacks that contain even the smallest amount of dairy or meat are still banned by the EU animal product import rules. So, items like cookies, jerky, and others will be confiscated by customs at the German border.
Customs Declaration and Other Documentation
To ensure that your parcel sent with Meest-America can safely enter the country, you should provide customs with proper documentation. Write precise and honest descriptions of the foods you have inside, such as “sealed bag of crackers” or “dairy-free cookies”. Avoid using general terms like “personal items” or “food” — these will require an additional evaluation by the customs officers. Declare the value accurately, even if the parcel contains personal gifts.
In case your shipment is commercial, you will have to include an invoice. This document will detail each food item, its value, and the purpose of the shipment. State the country of origin, even if the food item was produced in the US.
Packaging Your Parcel
Even a bag of chips has to be packaged correctly when shipping from the US to Germany. So, use airtight containers or vacuum seal your items if possible. This will guarantee freshness. Use cushioning in case your foods can be easily crushed in transit. Good packaging doesn’t guarantee an easy import, however, so always check rules and regulations before sending the items.
Ship a Taste of the US to Germany Smoothly
Transporting food from the US to Germany can be a little complicated. Yet, if you work with a trusted courier service like Meest-America and follow German import rules and regulations, your products will arrive safely, and the recipient will be happily tasting American-produced snacks.
