Germany Documentation Requirement – 6 Digit HS Codes
Carriers have announced that effective immediately, German Customs will be enforcing its requirement on HS codes for all inbound and transshipped cargo via German Ports. To enable us to comply with this requirement your shipping instructions would need to clearly state the container number and the corresponding 6-digit HS code of the commodity loaded in that container. Scarbrough is always on the forefront of compliance and will help our customers achieve this.
Incorrect declaration of the HS code without the right association with the correct container number may result in unnecessary penalties imposed by the Germany Customs authorities as well as costs for containers delayed as a result of the action of German Customs.
Examples of correct HS code submission are as follows:
| BL Number | Container Number | HS Code | Cargo Description | Piece Count |
| 123456789 | APZU789012 | HS 620342
HS 610441 |
Men’s long pants
Women’s dresses |
71 Cartons
87 Cartons |
| 765432180 | APRU234567 | HS 030613 | Frozen Shrimp | 1234 Cartons |
| 987654321 | APLU345678 | HS 940360
HS 040110 HS 843810 |
Wooden Furniture
Milk Powder Electric Oven |
60 Cartons
150 Boxes 320 Cartons |
| APLU456789 | HS 070110
HS 071340 |
Potatoes
Lentils |
1230 Bags
1450 Bags |
Examples of incorrect HS code submission are as follows:
| BL Number | Container Number | HS Code | Cargo Description | Piece Count |
| 123456789 | APZU789012 | HS 620342
HS 610441 |
Men’s long pants
Women’s dresses |
200 Cartons |
| 765432180 | APLU345678
APLU456789 |
HS 940360
HS 040110 HS 843810 HS 070110 HS 071340 |
Wooden Furniture
Milk Powder Electric Oven Potatoes Lentils |
3210 Packages |
For additional information regarding this matter, please contact your direct Client Relations Manager or your in-house Customs Service Representative.
You can also email pricing@scarbrough-intl.com with any questions.
