Your Trusted International Moving Company
Relocating from San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland or elsewhere in the Bay Area to Munich, Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg or another German city means shipping your home about 5,700 miles and clearing EU customs on arrival. NOR-CAL Moving Services is a Bay Area international moving company that manages the move from packing at your door to delivery in Germany. We’ve moved Bay Area households to Berlin, Fellbach near Stuttgart and other German destinations.
Moving to Germany usually comes with a deadline: a job start date, a university term or a visa appointment. We plan your move backward from that date, so your furniture, electronics and personal belongings arrive when you need them. As a full-service international mover, NOR-CAL handles the packing, export paperwork, shipping and delivery. We are a direct mover, not a broker, and we are licensed and insured.
Why People Trust NOR-CAL Moving Services for Bay Area to Germany Moves?
Experienced Bay Area to Germany Movers
Export-Grade Packing and Crating
EU Customs Paperwork Support
Short and Long-Term Storage
Licensed and Insured Movers
We Make Your Move from the Bay Area to Germany Simple
- Free estimate. We survey your home in person or by video and recommend ocean or air freight.
- Packing and loading. Our crews pack, label and inventory every item at your Bay Area home.
- Export and shipping. We handle US export documents and book your shipment.
- German customs and delivery. Your goods clear customs in Germany and are delivered to your address.
- Unpacking. We can unpack, set up furniture and take away the packing materials.
Track your shipment at every stage with our international shipment tracking.
Bay Area to Germany at a Glance
- Distance (San Francisco to Frankfurt): About 5,700 miles
- Typical shipping method: Ocean freight (full or shared container) or air freight
- Typical ocean transit, door to door: About 6 to 10 weeks
- Customs relief for movers: EU relief for moving your residence ("Umzugsgut")
- Electricity: US 120V / 60Hz; Germany 230V / 50Hz with Type C/F plugs
- Driving side: Right in both countries
An International Moving Company You Can Count On
We are based in the Bay Area, and our international moves run through the Allied International network of carriers and agents. You meet a local team before the move, and a partner team in Germany receives and delivers your shipment. Our international moving resources walk you through each stage. Moving elsewhere in Europe? See our Bay Area to France page.
What Makes the Bay Area to Germany Route Unique?
EU relief for people moving their residence. The EU generally allows personal belongings to be imported without customs duty or import VAT when you are moving your normal place of residence from outside the EU. It typically requires that you have lived outside the EU for at least 12 months and that you have owned and used the goods for a minimum period before the move. Confirm your eligibility with German customs (Zoll). We prepare the inventory and shipping documents that go with your declaration.
Registration after you arrive. In Germany you must register your new address (Anmeldung) at the local registration office, usually within two weeks of moving in. Your registration is separate from the shipment, but it is worth having the date in mind when scheduling delivery.
Unfurnished rentals. Many German rentals, especially in cities, come without a fitted kitchen or lighting. That affects what you ship, so tell us about your destination home early and we can help you plan what to bring.
Older buildings and access. Many city apartments are in older buildings with narrow stairwells and no lift. Give us your delivery address and floor and we will plan the crew and equipment around them.
Different electricity. Germany runs on 230V / 50Hz with Type C and F plugs. Most laptops and chargers work with an adapter, but large US appliances usually don’t, and replacing them in Germany is often cheaper than shipping them.
Professional Packing and Unpacking for Your Germany Move
Your shipment will be loaded, stowed and unloaded several times on its way across the Atlantic. We use export-grade materials, crate fragile and high-value items and record every carton on a detailed inventory, which also supports your customs declaration. Our packing services include unpacking and debris removal at your German home.
Storage and Flexibility When You Need It
Visa timing and rental start dates don’t always match your Bay Area move-out date. We can keep your belongings in household storage until the shipment is ready to go, or hold it at the destination until your German home is ready for delivery.
Ready to Move from the Bay Area to Germany?
Tell us where you’re moving from and where in Germany you’re headed, and we’ll send a free quote. Get your free quote or call us at (510) 949-8954.
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Question & Answer
How long does it take to ship household goods from the Bay Area to Germany?
By ocean, expect roughly 6 to 10 weeks door to door, including pickup, export clearance, the sailing, German customs and delivery. Air freight is faster and is often used for essentials. Timing depends on the shipping method, the destination city and whether customs inspects your shipment.
How much does it cost to move from the Bay Area to Germany?
Cost depends on the volume you’re shipping, ocean or air, full or shared container, packing, access at both ends, insurance and the delivery location in Germany. We provide a free written quote after reviewing your move, so you know the price before you commit.
Will I pay German import duty or VAT on my belongings?
People moving their residence to Germany from outside the EU can generally import personal belongings free of customs duty and import VAT, provided conditions are met, such as a minimum period of living outside the EU and prior ownership and use of the goods. Check your eligibility with German customs. This is general information, not tax advice. We prepare the documents that support your declaration.
Do I need to register my address when I arrive?
Yes. Germany requires you to register your address (Anmeldung) at the local registration office after moving in, usually within two weeks. The registration is your responsibility rather than part of the shipment, but we can help you schedule delivery around it.
Will my US appliances work in Germany?
Usually not without changes. Germany uses 230V / 50Hz power and Type C and F plugs, while the US uses 120V / 60Hz. Chargers and many electronics are dual-voltage and need only a plug adapter, but appliances with motors or heating elements often don’t work safely. Check the label on each one, or plan to replace it after you arrive.
Can I ship my car to Germany?
It’s possible, but the car must meet German and EU registration and technical requirements, which can be costly for US-market cars. In many cases selling the car and buying one in Germany is simpler. Ask us and we’ll explain what to check before you decide. You can also read our FAQs.
Call us today!
(510) 949-8954