Frequently Asked Questions

Import VAT in Germany (Einfuhrumsatzsteuer, EUSt) is levied in accordance with § 1(1) No. 4 and § 12 of the German Value Added Tax Act (UStG).

• The standard rate is 19%
• A reduced rate of 7% applies to certain product categories, such as food, books, magazines, medicines, and selected cultural goods.

These categories are listed in § 12 UStG. Additional information is available on the official website of the German customs authority.

For goods valued over €150, the customs calculation includes:

1. 1
   Customs duties (according to the EU Customs Tariff);
2. 2
   Import VAT (19% or 7%, depending on the product category).

For further details, we recommend reviewing Regulation (EU) No. 952/2013, the German VAT Act, and the EU Common Customs Tariff.

Thank you for choosing our company for your deliveries!

1. 1
   Prepare the items
2. 2
   Make sure the content of the parcel is allowed for shipment
3. 3
   Prepare the information about the sender and the recipient. To do that, provide the following in Latin characters:

   • last name
   • first name
   • email
   • phone number
   • sender's residential address
   • branch number, parcel locker number or full address of the recipient in Ukraine
4. 4
   Go to the nearest Nova Post branch
5. 5
   Register your parcel with the help of an operator
6. 6
   Pay for the shipment and selected additional services: e.g., if you want the Packing service. The fee does not include the customs duties.

The delivery cost depends on the parcel weight and the delivery method. Please check available rates on this page.

• At the nearest branch
• By ordering courier pick-up: at the recipient's address. You can check the list of settlements where courier delivery is available and the delivery terms here.
• At a parcel locker

To receive your shipment, you need to have:

• express consignment note number
• original passport of a citizen of Ukraine or international passport
• phone with the number indicated in the ECN.

You shall hand your parcel open over to an operator at the branch.

According to the requirements for international shipment, Nova Post operators need to check its content for prohibited goods.

If the parcel is packed, an operator shall be entitled to open it. The only exception is factory packaging.

A parcel may be refused shipment if its content violates the shipment rules.

1. 1
   The parcel contains items from the list of prohibited categories.
2. 2
   Weight or dimensions exceed the maximum.

Restrictions on the type of shipments:

• Document: Length up to 35 cm, width up to 25 cm, thickness up to 2 cm, actual weight up to 1 kg.
• Parcels: Actual and volumetric weight up to 30 kg, longest side up to 120 cm.
• Cargoes: Actual and volumetric weight up to 1 000 kg, length up to 300 cm, width or height up to 170 cm.

Restrictions on the place of shipment:

• From the Nova Post branch: Length up to 120 cm, width and height up to 70 cm, weight up to 100 kg
• From certain locations in Berlin: Length up to 120 cm, width and height up to 70 cm, weight up to 100 kg
• From certain locations in Germany except Berlin: Weight not exceeding 31,5 kg, longest side not exceeding 175 cm, box dimensions (2 x height + 2 width + length) not exceeding 300 cm.

Restrictions on business shipments

• The parcel is a commercial batch: more than 3 identical items. Examples of a commercial batch: 4 phones, 5 wristwatches, etc.

The value you indicate to the operator shall be equal to the market value of the parcel. This value impacts the amount of customs payments that can be imposed after the parcel crosses the border.

If a customs officer finds that the declared value of the parcel differs from the actual one, it may cause:

• a delay of the parcel at the border
• revaluation of the parcel content
• recalculation of the customs payment amount for the actual value of the shipment.

At the border, the customs officers conduct a detailed examination of each freight. If they find prohibited goods in a shipment, the parcel will be disposed of or sent back at the sender's expense.

If the declared value of a shipment destined for Ukraine exceeds €150, it is subject to import duty and VAT:

• import duty: 10% of the excess of €150
• VAT: 20% of the shipment value (value + import duty)

If the declared value of a shipment destined for Germany exceeds €45, it is subject to

• VAT: 19% of the declared value
• customs duties: from 0 to 25%: the rates are assigned by customs officers depending on the type of goods.

The recipient in Ukraine pays additional customs payments for their parcels. You can find examples of calculating the customs payment amount in our rate payment section. You can also contact our operator if you have any questions.

The recipient makes the customs payments during the receipt of the parcel: at a branch or at their address.

For this purpose, a Nova Post representative contacts the recipient via the phone number indicated in the declaration or email.

The recipient needs to sign a power of attorney for a Nova Post customs broker and provide their identification number for customs clearance.

You can track the parcel using Nova Post tracking with the number of the international express consignment note. When the parcel crosses the border, it will be assigned a new number.

You can also track the transportation within Ukraine via the mobile app.

When the parcel arrives at a branch or parcel locker, the recipient will be sent a message via Viber, SMS or the mobile app. With delivery at their address, the recipient will be contacted by the courier.

You can receive compensation for damaged, partially or completely lost shipments.

To do this, you need to file a complaint with the branch operator orally or in writing.

You can also file a complaint electronically:

1. 1
   Go to the shipment tracking
2. 2
   Find the express waybill and go to its information
3. 3
   Click the button in the information about the international EW: "Fill a complaint"
4. 4
   Fill out the pop-up online form

The company's specialists will send a response to your complaint to the specified e-mail within 5 business days.