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FIDI FAIMPLUS

Top Performer · 100% compliance audit

4.1★ Google

120+ reviews

Germany-Wide Delivery

Berlin, Munich, Hamburg & beyond

Est. 1892

More than 130 years of moving experience

Dedicated Consultant

Sydney to Germany coordination

Sydney to Germany Route Overview

Your final German destination affects the onward transport and delivery stage. A shipment for Hamburg can require a different destination plan from one continuing to Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Stuttgart or another regional address.

NUSS plans the international and destination stages around your actual final address.

Sydney to Germany at a Glance

Full Container Load (FCL)
Approximately 12-14 weeks door to door

Less than Container Load (LCL)
Approximately 14-16 weeks door to door

Air Freight
Available for smaller or time-sensitive shipments

Destination Coverage
Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart and destinations throughout Germany

Customs
Qualifying household belongings may be eligible for transfer-of-residence relief where the applicable German and EU customs conditions are met

These are approximate door-to-door timeframes rather than guaranteed delivery dates. Freight schedules, customs clearance, inland transport and final property access can affect the actual timing.

Moving to Hamburg and Northern Germany

Hamburg is an important German destination in its own right and can also form part of the broader logistics route for household shipments into northern Germany.

Your final address still needs to be considered separately from the international freight stage.

Whether you are moving into a detached home or an apartment, parking, carrying distance, stairs and building access can influence the final delivery arrangements.

Moving to Berlin

Berlin includes everything from modern apartment developments to older multi-storey residential buildings.

Depending on the property, useful information to confirm includes:

  • floor number
  • lift availability and dimensions
  • stair access
  • distance from legal vehicle access to the entrance
  • courtyard access
  • building-management requirements

Providing these details early allows the German destination team to plan around the actual property.

Moving to Munich, Stuttgart and Southern Germany

Southern German destinations involve a different onward journey from northern Germany.

The final city or postcode therefore matters when your transport plan and expected delivery window are prepared.

The same applies to regional destinations outside the major cities, where additional inland transport may be required.

Moving to Frankfurt, Düsseldorf and Western Germany

Moves to Frankfurt, Düsseldorf and surrounding areas should also be planned around the final postcode rather than being treated simply as a generic Germany shipment.

Freight routing, onward transport and access at the new property all form part of the door-to-door move.

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Get a Sydney to Germany Quote

German Customs and Transfer-of-Residence Goods

Germany refers to qualifying belongings brought into the country when transferring your normal residence as Übersiedlungsgut, or transfer-of-residence goods.

Under the applicable customs framework, eligible personal property brought by someone transferring their normal residence from outside the EU customs territory may be admitted free of import duties where the relevant conditions are satisfied.

The 12-Month Residence Requirement

As a general rule, transfer-of-residence relief applies where your normal place of residence has been outside the EU customs territory for a continuous period of at least 12 months.

Exceptions may apply in particular circumstances, but they should not be assumed when planning the move. 

The Six-Month Ownership and Use Requirement

Qualifying non-consumable personal belongings generally need to have been in your possession and used at your former normal residence for at least six months before you stop living there.

They should also continue to be used for the same general purpose after the move. 

This is why recently purchased furniture, appliances or other household goods should be identified separately rather than automatically treated as qualifying transfer-of-residence goods.

What Can Qualify as Personal Property?

Depending on the circumstances and relevant customs requirements, personal property can include:

  • #
    household effects
  • #
    clothing and personal belongings
  • #
    furniture and household items
  • #
    bicycles and motorcycles
  • #
    private motor vehicles and trailers
  • #
    household pets
  • #
    certain portable professional instruments

The relevant conditions still need to be satisfied, and the nature or quantity of the goods must be consistent with a personal relocation rather than a commercial import. 

What Is Excluded from the Standard Relief?

  • #
    alcoholic and tobacco products
  • #
    commercial means of transport
  • #
    professional or trade equipment other than qualifying portable instruments

These belongings should be identified before packing rather than assumed to receive the same treatment as normal household furniture. 

Evidence of Your Change of Residence

German customs may require evidence showing that you are genuinely leaving your former residence and establishing your new residence in Germany. Depending on your circumstances, supporting documents may include:

  • #
    Australian and German lease termination
  • #
    property-sale documentation
  • #
    employer transfer or employment documents
  • #
    German employment correspondence
  • #
    residence-registration information

Keep important originals and personal documentation with you rather than packing them into the household shipment.

What NUSS and the German Destination Partner Coordinate

  • #
    detailed international packing inventories
  • #
    freight and shipping documentation
  • #
    communication with the German destination agent
  • #
    transfer-of-residence documentation guidance
  • #
    customs-clearance arrangements
  • #
    onward transport within Germany
  • #
    final residential delivery

The German destination partner provides the relevant forms and guidance, while you complete the personal declarations and information required for your circumstances. 

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What's Included in Your Sydney to Germany Move

Your international quotation is prepared around your shipment volume, German destination, freight method and the services required at both ends.

Following your home or video survey, NUSS prepares a written quotation outlining the agreed packing, freight and destination services.

Your Germany Move Can Include

  • #
    Sydney Home Collection
  • #
    Professional Export Packing
  • #
    Detailed Packing Inventory
  • #
    International Freight
  • #
    German Customs Coordination
  • #
    Onward German Transport
  • #
    Final Home Delivery
  • #
    Dedicated NUSS International Consultant

Optional Services

  • #
    Professional Unpacking
  • #
    Transit and Storage Insurance
  • #
    Air Freight
  • #
    Temporary Storage
  • #
    Specialist Packing and Crating
  • #
    Vehicle Shipping
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The Ultimate Moving to Germany from Australia Checklist

Germany's transfer-of-residence rules mean customs preparation should begin well before your shipment reaches Europe.

Check Your Transfer-of-Residence Eligibility

Confirm whether the general former-residence and ownership/use requirements apply to your circumstances.

Gather Evidence of Your Move

Keep the documents supporting your move from Australia to Germany accessible and identify recently purchased belongings separately.

Identify Goods Outside the Standard Relief

Flag alcohol, tobacco, commercial equipment and other goods that may require different customs treatment before packing.

Confirm Your Final German Address

Your city, postcode and property access affect onward transport and final delivery planning. Provide the confirmed destination details as early as possible.**

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What Our Sydney to Germany Customers Say

4.1★ across 120+ Google reviews

Moving from Australia to Germany combines a long international freight journey with a destination customs process that depends on your personal relocation circumstances.

NUSS coordinates both stages as part of the same move.

Great service from the team at Nuss! James and Will were very professional and took a lot of care when handling our items. Came early and loaded the truck within 1.5 hours. Would recommend to anyone looking for removalists. Will definitely use their services again!

Candice Barquez

Nuss helped me move house in to a unit in the city. We had store our furniture for a month, then last minute there was an issue with moving in. Nuss stepped up took control and offered up an amazing solution. We couldn't have been happier. Highly recommend.

Corey Tai
Local Guide

From the start I was impressed by the friendly professionalism of the staff at Nuss. On the packing day, Tony and his team could not have been more helpful. In addition, they were amazingly efficient and caring of our possessions. Our household was in storage for over a month and on moving in day we were pleased to see the same friendly team arrive and efficiently unload our furniture and boxes. I would not hesitate to recommend them.

Anne Wall

We moved from a 4 bedroom home on a very elevated block with 50 steps to the front door to an apartment... after living in this home for 52 years it was quite a stressful and emotional time for us... but this team of very strong I professionals were amazing! Their pleasant manner and can do attitude made it so much easier.
After our experience today would recommend this company without hesitation.

Jasmin Vicario
Local Guide
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Why NUSS for international moves

Why Choose NUSS for Your Sydney to UAE Move

A relocation to the UAE combines international freight, customs requirements and destination-property logistics.

NUSS manages those stages as one coordinated international move.

FIDI FAIMPLUS Independently Audited Standards

NUSS is one of Sydney's only FIDI FAIMPLUS Top Performers.

Transfer-of-Residence Customs Coordination

NUSS works with the German destination partner around the applicable household-goods and customs process.

Destination Planning Across Germany

The move is planned around your actual German city and property rather than treated as a generic European delivery. 

100% FIDI compliance audit

180+ countries

100,000+ moves

Est. 1892

International Moving Resources

Prepare for your Germany move with guidance on packing, freight options, documentation and restricted belongings. Your NUSS consultant can explain the requirements for your destination and shipment.

International related blogs

Moving to Germany from Sydney: Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to move from Sydney to Germany?

The cost depends on your final German destination, shipment volume, Full Container Load or Less than Container Load service, packing requirements, air freight, insurance options, storage and destination delivery. NUSS completes a home or video survey before preparing a written quotation based on the actual requirements of your relocation.

Get a Free Germany Moving Quote

 

How long does it take to ship belongings from Sydney to Germany?

As an approximate door-to-door guide, a Full Container Load shipment may take around 12 to 14 weeks, while a Less than Container Load shipment may take around 14 to 16 weeks. These are indicative rather than guaranteed timeframes. Freight schedules, German customs clearance, inland transport and your final delivery location can affect the actual timing.

Can my household furniture enter Germany duty-free?

Qualifying household belongings may be admitted free of import duties under the transfer-of-residence rules where the applicable conditions are satisfied. Generally, this involves transferring your normal residence from outside the EU customs territory and having qualifying non-consumable belongings in your possession and use for at least six months before the move.

How long must I have lived outside the EU?

As a general rule, your normal residence needs to have been outside the EU customs territory for a continuous period of at least 12 months. Exceptions may exist in particular circumstances, so eligibility should be checked rather than assumed.

Can I ship alcohol as part of my household effects?

Alcohol may potentially be transported subject to the applicable import and transport requirements, but alcoholic products are excluded from the standard transfer-of-residence duty relief applying to qualifying household belongings. Tell your NUSS consultant about alcohol before packing begins.

Can NUSS ship my vehicle to Germany?

Yes, where the vehicle forms part of your international household relocation and the move is practical under the applicable German import requirements. Private vehicles may potentially qualify as transfer-of-residence property where the relevant conditions are met, but freight, customs treatment, registration and technical compliance need to be considered separately from your household goods.

Planning Your Move to Germany?

Whether you are relocating to Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart or elsewhere in Germany, your customs eligibility and final address should be considered before your belongings leave Australia.

A NUSS international consultant can arrange a home or video survey, assess your shipment and prepare a free, no-obligation quotation covering the services required for your German relocation.

Get a Free Quote (02) 9425 4600