INTERNATIONAL REMOVALS · LONDON TO GERMANY 🇩🇪
We pack, dismantle, load, transport and unpack everything at your new home in Germany. Exclusive vehicle, no shared loads. Fixed price includes packing materials, ferry, fuel, insurance, road tolls and customs. Delivery in 3 to 4 days.
Most international removals companies rent you a van and leave you to figure out the rest. You pack, you load, you deal with customs, and if something goes wrong at the border, that is your problem.
Octagon is different. We arrive at your London home, pack every room, wrap every item, dismantle all furniture, load everything into our exclusive vehicle, handle the UK export declaration, cross the Channel, clear your goods through German customs (Zoll) via our licensed customs agent, deliver to your new home, reassemble everything, and unpack every box.
One fixed price. One person you can call at any point. No surprises on moving day or at the border.
EVERYTHING INCLUDED
We pack every room, wrap every item, label every box. You do not touch a thing unless you want to.
Taken apart at your London home, rebuilt exactly as it was at your new home.
Every item catalogued and photographed before loading. Full list provided to you and used for customs documentation.
Your belongings travel in our vehicle only. No shared loads, no waiting for a container to fill.
We handle the paperwork and work with our licensed customs agents to clear your goods correctly.
One person manages your move from first call to final delivery. Available throughout the journey.
Packing materials, ferry, fuel, insurance, road tolls and customs agent fees. Nothing added later.
If there is a gap between collection and delivery, your belongings are held in our CCTV-monitored storage facility in London.
CLARITY FROM DAY ONE
CUSTOMS & DOCUMENTS
Germany is an EU member state. Since Brexit, moving household goods from the UK to Germany crosses an international customs border. Your belongings must be declared on departure from the UK and on arrival in Germany via the Zoll (German customs authority).
Transfer of Residence relief allows you to import your used household goods into Germany without paying import duty or VAT (19%), provided you qualify: you must be genuinely relocating your main residence to Germany, you must have been resident outside the EU for at least 12 consecutive months before the move, and the goods must have been owned and used by you for at least 6 months. You must register at your local Einwohnermeldeamt (residents' registration office) to obtain your Anmeldung certificate. German customs may require documents in triplicate or a translated inventory.
Clearance time: 2 to 5 working days with correct documentation in place
If documentation is incomplete or the 12-month residency requirement cannot be demonstrated, German customs (the Zoll) will assess your household goods for import duty and VAT at 19%. On a full household this can amount to thousands of euros. German customs offices in Munich, Bremen, Bonn and Berlin each have slightly different processing requirements.
Contents of removal boxes must be described specifically - for example, 'box of books and DVDs' is accepted, but 'box of personal belongings' will be rejected. Getting the paperwork right before departure is far simpler than resolving it after your goods have arrived.
We work with licensed customs agents registered with the German Zoll (Zollverwaltung). Customs clearance locations include Munich, Bremen, Bonn, and Berlin. Your goods do not cross the border without a qualified agent managing the declaration on your behalf.
Your Route
London → Dover → Calais → Brussels → Cologne → Berlin
WHAT YOU CANNOT TAKE
Requires a Waffenbesitzkarte (weapons possession card). Cannot be shipped as household goods.
Strictly prohibited. Prescription medicine needs a doctor's letter and Schengen certificate.
EU phytosanitary regulations prohibit import of most fresh food from non-EU countries.
Require phytosanitary certificate. Most potted plants with soil are rejected.
Seized and destroyed by the Zoll.
Classified as dangerous goods. Cannot be in household removals shipments.
Do not qualify for Transfer of Residence relief - import duty and 19% VAT may apply.
Germany enforces strict limits - 200 cigarettes or 1 litre of spirits. Excess attracts duty.
WHERE WE DELIVER
Berlin-Brandenburg
Germany's capital and largest city. A major hub for tech, arts, and startups. Popular with young professionals and families drawn by relatively affordable rents and a vibrant cultural scene.
Bavaria
Germany's most prosperous city with the highest quality of life. Hub for automotive, IT and finance. Property is expensive but salaries match. Popular with families and senior professionals.
Hamburg
Germany's second-largest city and major port. Excellent opportunities in maritime, logistics, and media. A cosmopolitan atmosphere with a high quality of life.
Hesse
The financial capital of continental Europe. Primary destination for banking and finance professionals. Excellent international airport and transport connections.
North Rhine-Westphalia
A key centre for business, fashion, and telecommunications. Often lower rental costs than Munich or Berlin with a high quality of life.
Baden-Württemberg
Home to Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. A strong economy and beautiful surroundings. Popular with engineers, automotive professionals, and families.
North Rhine-Westphalia
Known for its cathedral, carnival, and media industry. A lively and tolerant city with affordable rents compared to Munich and Frankfurt.
Saxony
One of Germany's fastest-growing cities. Increasingly popular with creatives, artists, and families attracted by low living costs and a thriving cultural scene.
LIFE IN GERMANY
Germany is generally cheaper than London for day-to-day living, though Munich approaches London prices. Berlin and Leipzig offer particularly good value.
QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Door-to-door delivery from London to Germany typically takes 3–4 days. This includes packing, loading, ferry crossing, transit, customs clearance, delivery and unpacking.
You will need a valid passport, proof of UK residence for 12 months, proof of your new address in Germany, a detailed packing inventory, and a non-cession declaration. We guide you through every document.
If you qualify for Transfer of Residence relief, your used household goods can be imported duty-free. You must have lived outside the EU for at least 12 months and the goods must have been used for at least 6 months. We handle the application.
Yes. The price we quote after your survey is fixed. It includes packing materials, ferry, fuel, road tolls, insurance and customs agent fees. Nothing is added on moving day.
No. Your belongings travel in our exclusive vehicle. We do not use shared loads or groupage. Your items are the only items on the truck.
Yes. We are specialist handlers of pianos, antiques, and high-value items. Each piece is wrapped, protected, and handled by experienced movers. We have moved grand pianos, art collections, and fragile antiques across Europe.
Since Brexit, household goods crossing from the UK to EU countries like Germany require customs declarations on both sides. Our licensed customs agent handles the entire process: you do not visit any customs office.
Ideally yes, at both ends. However, you can nominate a trusted representative to be present on your behalf at either the collection or delivery address.
We recommend booking 6 to 8 weeks in advance, especially for summer moves. This allows time for customs documentation, ferry booking, and route planning. We can accommodate shorter timelines when needed.
Yes. If there is a gap between your collection and delivery dates, your belongings are stored in our CCTV-monitored, insured facility in London at no additional charge for reasonable periods.
Call us on 0208 521 8000 for a free quote within 1 hour.