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Freight Guide

Pallet Delivery to Germany

LTL and FTL pallet freight to Germany — EU intra-community shipment, no customs, 1–5 day transit.

No (EU)
Customs required
1–3 days
LTL transit
1–2 days
FTL transit
CMR only
Required document

Germany is Europe's largest logistics market and the most common EU pallet destination. As an EU member state, pallet shipments require no customs declarations — just a CMR transport document. Germany's dense depot network (DB Schenker, DHL Freight, DSV all have strong domestic coverage) means reliable transit times even to secondary cities, not just Berlin, Hamburg and Munich.

LTL vs FTL to Germany

LTL (groupage) suits 1–15 pallets and typically takes 1–3 days from most EU origins, sharing trailer space via a cross-dock network. FTL (full truck, up to 33 EUR pallets) is faster at 1–2 days with no transhipment, and becomes cost-competitive above roughly 15 pallets. DB Schenker has particularly strong German domestic coverage given its German heritage; DHL Freight and DSV are also strong nationwide options.

Documents Needed

Only a CMR (road freight transport document) is required for EU-to-Germany pallet shipments — no customs declaration, no import duty, no VAT adjustment at the border. A packing list and commercial invoice/delivery note are good practice for B2B shipments but not customs requirements.

Pallet Standard

Germany uses the standard EUR 1 pallet (120×80cm, max 1,500kg static load) throughout its logistics network — no special pallet requirements beyond standard EPAL certification for intra-EU shipments.

Expert Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need customs paperwork to send a pallet to Germany?

No — Germany is an EU member state, so pallet shipments move freely with only a CMR transport document required. No customs declaration, import duty or VAT adjustment applies.

How long does pallet delivery to Germany take?

LTL (groupage) typically takes 1–3 business days from most EU origins. FTL (full truckload) is faster at 1–2 days since there's no cross-dock transhipment.

Which carrier is best for pallets to Germany?

DB Schenker has particularly strong German domestic coverage. DHL Freight and DSV are also strong nationwide options — compare rates for your specific route and volume.

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