FAQ English - ezShip Global

Which products may I NOT send to avoid rejection by German Customs and return of shipment?
Products that include dairy powder, Beef Jerky or similar meat products, Melatonin, or similar over-the-counter products. Lithium batteries, weapons, animals.
In addition, please review in the FAQs, “Are there any product restrictions when shipping outside the US?”

Do I have to register and/or pay membership fees to use ezShip?
No. We don't have sign-up fees or monthly fees. You only pay for the logistics/express services you actually use.

Is my personal information treated as confidential information?
YES. From personal experience, we know and understand how important the handling of personal information is. We as ezShip will never pass your data to any third party. We will not allow any third party to see your data. (Exceptions: Data required by FedEx for the respective shipment OR if we are required by court order in connection with a potential crime)

Do I have to submit my credit card details? How are payments processed?
NO! Payments are done via the Zelle App (preferred) and the CashApp
https://www.zellepay.com/

Which phone number should I use?
Your US cell phone number. The payment requests are also sent to you via this.

What is the maximum value I - as a private individual - can send to Germany to avoid “Einfuhrumsatzsteuer”?
At this time, it is limited to Euro 45.00 (about US$ 52.00). The German "Zoll" (Customs) calls these "Geschenksendungen" (gift shipments).
Shipments with a value of Euro 40.01 up to and including Euro 700.00 are usually processed with a flat-rate tax. Currently, at 17.5%.
Find more here: https://www.zoll.de/EN/Private-individuals/Postal_consignments_internet_order/Shipments-from-a-non-EU-country/Duties-and-taxes/Gifts/gifts.html

Could I avoid customs by having the supplier declare the goods as a gift?
No! You would be committing a criminal offense with serious consequences for everyone involved. Customers who commit, or try to commit, customs, or tax offenses will be banned immediately. We also reserve the right to take legal action and file a complaint.

Are there any product restrictions when shipping outside the US?
YES! At this point, we would like to list just a few products:
Alcohol, coffee, animals, flammable liquids, perishable food, dangerous goods, perfumes, and aftershave, cans under pressure, weapons or their components, pornographic goods, prescription, and non-prescription medicines, cash, or other monetary means.
Further details can be found at:
 

Is there a fuel surcharge as well?
Unfortunately, yes. The courier-express service providers introduced the fuel surcharge many years ago. This serves to compensate for the rising/fluctuating fuel costs. This value is variable and is usually set for a quarter. We pass on the calculated rate at 1:1.

What is the fuel surcharge?
A percentage that adds a surcharge to the shipment price. It serves to balance the fluctuating fuel costs.

How do I pay for my transport costs to ezShip?
After creating the waybill, customs documents, and the proforma invoice for German customs, you will receive a payment request on your mobile phone. This is fulfilled either via the Zelle app (preferred!) or the cash app.

In which currency am I charged for the ezShip services?
Billing is in US$. Only the import taxes/customs duties in your home country will be settled directly with you by the courier service providers on-site in the respective local currency.

BTW - What is the CSV number?
The CSV number is a three-digit number on the back of your credit card (exception: American Express on the front right - four-digit number). The CSV number is used by the credit card company during billing as additional protection that you really are the cardholder.

How are duties and/or taxes settled?
The courier-express service providers pay your taxes and duties for you in advance. After a few days, you will receive an invoice, which must be paid immediately. Some service providers (depending on the country of delivery) require payment of the amounts disbursed upon delivery.

What are the exemption limits for importing goods?
They differ from country to country. We recommend going to the customs website of your home country and viewing the currently valid values ​​there.

What does volume weight mean?
There is actual weight and dimensional weight. In the Express Courier area, the higher value is always used. The volume weight is calculated as follows:
for "inches" V-weight = L * W * H / 139
for "cm" V-weight = L * W * H / 5000
When we accept your shipments, we record the weight and external dimensions, and you can then immediately see whether outer packaging is worthwhile!

How can I get a quote (transport costs)?
In the top-right corner, you can click on the Request Quote Button. Fill in the details and you will receive a quote, usually within 15–30 minutes.
(Office hours PCT 08:30 AM - 05:00 PM)

How long will it take to receive my shipment?
The duration varies from country to country. On average, the shipments are delivered after three / four working days - depending on how long it takes for customs clearance in your home country.

Can I track my shipment online?
Yes. When your shipments are loaded, you will receive an email with the tracking number. This allows them to independently track the shipment.

How many delivery addresses can I save?
We could store up to 100 different delivery addresses. However, we strongly recommend avoiding this due to the confusion.
The best thing to do is to send the packages to the recipient's company. Deliveries to a private address are often charged with a US$ 8.00 surcharge by the courier express service providers.

Does it make more sense to send the shipment to a company address?
Yes. Cost savings for you and "safe" delivery. Not all ezShip customers are always at home.

How many lbs are a kg and vice versa?
1 kg equals 2,20463 pounds. 1 pound equals to 0.453592 kg.
ezShip bills in (US) pounds.

What can I do if my goods are delivered damaged?
Please contact us immediately so that we can find a solution and not miss any deadlines.

What is the maximum package size that can be sent to me?
As a rule of thumb, one person must be able to carry the package.
The dimensions that are displayed by the courier service providers are, in our opinion, a major challenge for their employees.
Officially, it is max. 68 kg or 119 inches in length or 165 inches in girth (circumference plus length).
This means that when you buy large goods, you get in touch with the seller so that he/she will send your goods in appropriate outer packaging.

Which express courier service providers do you use?
Based on our 20+ years of experience with integrators, we deliberately utilize DHL and FedEx services.

What is the maximum shipment value that ezShip sends?
For reasons of export law, we allow courier express shipments up to a maximum of US$ 2,499.00. This is due to the complicated and extensive regulations and export declarations to the US authorities. These would make good prices unnecessarily and significantly more expensive for ezShip customers. There would be an additional charge of US$ 50 for the shipment PLUS US$ 15 per item. This is not justified. On such occasions, we always recommend splitting the shipment.

What currency are the prices subject to?
All prices are in US$ (the national currency of the United States of America)

Can I change my delivery address?
Only if the consignment documents have not yet been compiled and submitted. Once it is in the system, we can no longer initiate a redirection. Generally, a shipment can be cancelled and new waybills and corresponding customs documents issued (cost US$ 10,00).