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US → Germany: estimate profit before you buy
Estimate resale profit selling in Germany: 15% marketplace fee, forwarder from $11, duty ~12%. Worked example + NYtoRU calculator.
NYtoRU presets (same as calculator)
Planning estimates only. Not legal or tax advice. Always verify duties, VAT/GST and marketplace rules before buying stock.
Example estimate
Demo: electronics📱 Wireless earbuds
Buy (US): $49.99 · Weight: 0.25 kg · qty 5 · Category surcharge: ×1
Watch battery rules (lithium), marketplace return rates, and serial/region locks.
How we calculate
- Ship USD = max(forwarder min, weight × $/kg) × category surcharge.
- Landed local = buy + shipping + duty estimate + marketplace logistics.
- Sell price is set so that after marketplace fee you hit the target margin (~30% in the example).
Local market notes
Customs / import: EU customs union. US import: TARIC duty + import VAT (Einfuhrumsatzsteuer). Low-value relief is limited.
Tax: MwSt 19%; OSS/IOSS for EU distance sales; Kleinunternehmerregelung up to €22k.
Marketplaces: Amazon DE, eBay DE. Strict seller metrics; slow returns are normal.
Shipping: DHL Paket dominates; customs may hold electronics without CE documents.
Compliance: CE, VerpackG, LUCID, WEEE, BattG. Not EAC/RF.
Planning estimates only. Not legal or tax advice. Always verify duties, VAT/GST and marketplace rules before buying stock.
Pre-buy checklist
- Re-run with your real weight and buy price — presets do not replace your invoice.
- Check comparable listings on the marketplace, not only your target margin.
- Factor returns, certifications, and lithium/liquid restrictions.
- USD FX moves — leave a buffer on exchange rate.
Categories for this market
Watch battery rules (lithium), marketplace return rates, and serial/region locks.
Weight + size adds forwarder cost; authenticity checks matter on local marketplaces.
Heavy SKUs: min forwarder fee often loses to per-kg. Check fitment for local market.
Air-cargo restrictions and liquid surcharges can erase thin margins.
Lithium rules raise shipping cost; some corridors ban or delay these items.