Importing Clothing Stocklots into Germany
The direct answer: Germany is a regulated import market, and the obligations fall in three places — classification for duty and VAT, product labelling, and general product safety. A lot that is simply cheap does not get cheaper by skipping any of them.
Part of the buyer journey: Import by Country: Routes, Ports and Clearance — stage 7 of 8, with the other guides for this stage.
Customs and classification
Finished garments are classified by type and by fabric composition, and the composition you declare determines the duty treatment and the VAT base. Getting the composition wrong on the commercial invoice is the most common cause of an expensive reassessment at clearance.
Use a broker for the first shipment and give them the fabric composition from the supplier’s specification before goods are packed. A classification opinion obtained in advance costs far less than a reassessment after arrival.
Labelling
Textile labelling in the EU requires fibre content naming according to the official fibre nomenclature, a manufacturer or supplier identification, and a country of origin statement on the garment itself, not only on the packaging.
Also expect fibre composition, any care requirements and, where relevant, a manufacturer’s address in an EU language. Clothing is a regulated product, so the label is a legal requirement rather than a preference.
Product safety and beyond
General product safety obligations apply to clothing, and there are additional requirements for certain categories such as children’s garments and protective clothing. They differ by product, so confirm the requirements for the specific category before buying.
Keep the technical documentation from the supplier. It is not usually presented at the border, but it is what you would need if a market surveillance authority asked a question later.
What stocklots are available right now?
Reading is step one. Send your requirement and we will check the factory network for current options.
Buyer questions, answered
What do I need to import clothing into Germany?
A valid commercial invoice with accurate composition, correct customs classification, an importer of record, and compliant textile labelling. Many first importers use a customs agent or a freight forwarder who acts as importer of record, which is a normal arrangement.
Can I sell clothing stocklots in Germany without an importer of record?
You can use one, which is common for smaller importers and avoids some setup, but it restricts who you can sell to and adds a fee. Check whether the arrangement suits your sales model before building around it.
What is the most common mistake?
Declaring a composition that does not match the actual garment. The first is straightforward for suppliers to supply correctly, and the consequences at clearance are disproportionate to the effort of asking.