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The equipment from Shanghai was temporarily exported to Germany, and then shipped from Germany to Turkey.
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TRACKING NO. 20260219 / GLOBAL Zhongshen Trade · 23+ Years of Expert Trade Agency
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No import/export license, customs delays,
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or complex compliance issues.
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We have a batch of testing equipment in Shanghai that needs to be temporarily transported to Germany for technical inspection. After the inspection, it will be sent from Germany to the project site in Turkey. How should we handle this process involving three countries? Will the customs treat it as general trade and impose taxes? Will there be additional tax fees during the transit in Germany? How can we sign agreements with the German inspection party and Turkish clients to avoid risks?
Evelyn LiYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Cross-border Compliance SupervisorStart a Chat
Your case involves a typical "temporary export + re-export" model，where the core risk lies in customs determining that the goods have actually left China and constitute a general trade export. The preferred solution is to obtain an ATA Carnet，but the equipment must be repatriated to China within six months，otherwise it will trigger additional taxes and penalties. If the equipment is not returned，it must be declared as a general trade export at the time of export and subject to VAT and tariff payments. The HS code must be accurate，misreporting may be deemed tax evasion. During transit in Germany，it is essential to use bonded warehouses or free trade zones to avoid triggering German import VAT. Exporting from Germany to Turkey constitutes a new trade transaction，requiring a German entity to act as the consignor. You must provide complete certificates of origin and transaction chain documents. Turkish import procedures may involve additional certifications (e.g。CE certification)，which must be confirmed in advance. It is strictly prohibited to sell or transfer the equipment during the temporary export period，as Chinese customs reserves the right to recover the security deposit and list the company on the trust-breaking list.
Eric ZhouYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Manager of Foreign Exchange & Tax RebatesStart a Chat
The optimal solution is segmented transportation + bonded transit in Germany. For the Shanghai to Germany route, it is recommended to use FCA terms, with you responsible for domestic customs clearance and the freight forwarder handling international transport. Sea freight takes approximately 30 days, while air freight takes 5-7 days. After the equipment arrives in Germany, it must enter a bonded warehouse and undergo Temporary Admission procedures, without needing to pay VAT or customs duties, but requiring a customs guarantee (around 30% of the goods' value). After inspection, the goods are directly exported from the German warehouse to Turkey. This shipment is unrelated to Chinese exports, so export declaration (Ausfuhr) must be handled by the German party. It is recommended to use DAP terms for the Turkey leg, providing door-to-site services to avoid customs clearance hassles for clients. Full-coverage all-risks insurance must be purchased, with a special clause stating "temporary export and transit". The entire cycle should be controlled within three months, otherwise German bonded storage fees will be high. Find a freight forwarder capable of handling tri-lateral connections between China, Europe, and Turkey to ensure smoother documentation coordination and avoid information gaps leading to port delays.
Cindy ChenYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Key Account ManagerStart a Chat
For this three-country chain, contract design is more important than communication scripts. You must sign two independent agreements: the first is a “Temporary Export Service Agreement” between you and the German testing party, clarifying that the equipment ownership remains unchanged, the testing party only has usage rights, and agreeing on who bears the deposit and liquidated damages for overdue detention. The second is an “Equipment Supply Contract” between you and the Turkish client, but the shipment origin is listed as Germany to prevent the Turkish side from knowing this is temporary transshipment equipment and pushing for lower prices. Suggested payment: 50% advance for German testing fees, 80% upon B/L copy for the Turkish client, and 20% balance after delivery acceptance. When communicating with the German side, say “This equipment is to be re-exported to a third party, please handle it as bonded cargo,” without being secretive. For the Turkish client, emphasize “German technical standard testing + EU territory shipping” as a selling point to divert attention from the origin. Key clause: if delays are caused by customs inspection, the buyer bears the demurrage fees, thus transferring the risk.