ABD/EAD | ATLAS — Declaring Customs for Parcel Shipments from Germany

If you're a Germany-based seller shipping goods to buyers outside the EU (e.g. the UK), German customs law requires you to electronically declare the export before handing the shipment to your carrier. This applies whether you're shipping parcels (e.g. DHL Express) or pallets (e.g. FedEx, DSV) — the process below isn't specific to DHL or to parcels, and applies to any carrier Qogita may use on this lane. This page explains what that declaration is, when you need it, and how to get it done without delaying your shipment.

📦 Being able to provide the EAD is also a requirement for sellers who want to ship to the UK on Qogita.

💬 Need help? Reach out to your Account Manager or <success@qogita.com>

1. What are ABD, EAD, and ATLAS?

These three terms all describe the same thing, just from different angles:

• ATLAS (Automatisiertes Tarif- und Lokales Zoll-Abwicklungssystem) — the German customs authority's electronic system used to submit export declarations. This is the system your declaration goes through.
• ABD (Ausfuhrbegleitdokument) — the German name for the export accompanying document ATLAS generates once your declaration is accepted.
• EAD (Export Accompanying Document) — the English name for the exact same document. DHL Express and other international carriers usually refer to it as the EAD; German customs paperwork calls it the ABD.

In short: you submit an export declaration through ATLAS, and once customs accepts it, you receive an ABD/EAD — a PDF carrying a unique Movement Reference Number (MRN) and barcode that proves the shipment has been cleared to leave the EU.

2. When do you need one?

An ABD/EAD is mandatory for a commercial parcel leaving Germany for a non-EU country (e.g. the UK, Switzerland, Norway) when any of the following apply:

• The total value of the shipment (goods + shipping) exceeds €1,000
• The total weight exceeds 1,000 kg
• The goods are subject to export licensing, restrictions, or embargoes — regardless of value

These thresholds apply to the whole shipment, not per line item. Below these thresholds, simplified rules may apply, but Qogita's standard commercial shipments to the UK will typically exceed the €1,000 value threshold and require an ABD/EAD.

⚠️ The threshold applies per shipment, not per individual parcel — all parcels travelling together under the same Air Waybill (AWB) count toward the €1,000 / 1,000 kg thresholds jointly. This holds for parcel carriers (e.g. DHL Express) and equally for pallet shipments (e.g. FedEx, DSV).

3. Who submits the declaration?

As the exporter, you (or someone authorised on your behalf) are legally responsible for the declaration under § 9 Abs. 1 of the German Foreign Trade and Payments Ordinance (Außenwirtschaftsverordnung, AWV).

Where Qogita does arrange brokerage for a seller, it's done through a different broker (FedEx Germany), which requires its own signed Power of Attorney with that broker — regardless of which carrier actually ships the goods. As of July 1st 2026, Qogita no longer provides brokerage for new sellers. New sellers are expected to arrange their own export declaration using one of the options below.

In practice, there are three ways to get an ABD/EAD yourself:

1. A customs agent or freight forwarder, who submits and manages declarations on your behalf for a fee (typically €25–€50).
2. In-house customs software / direct ATLAS access — if you have (or want to set up) your own connection to ATLAS. CONSULT+SYSTEM G.R.O.U.P. GmbH is an example already used by a few Qogita sellers, and is relatively cheap and efficient.
3. IAA Plus (Internet-Ausfuhranmeldung-Plus) — the free, self-service web portal from German customs, if you'd rather submit the declaration yourself.

If you're unsure which option fits your setup, your Qogita Account Manager can point you in the right direction.

4. Step-by-step process

This process applies regardless of carrier or shipment type — parcels via DHL Express, pallets via FedEx or DSV, or any other carrier Qogita may use on this lane in future.

1. Set up your declaration route: register with a customs broker/freight forwarder, get access to in-house customs software, or register for IAA Plus (see Section 3).
2. Prepare your shipment data: commercial invoice value, HS/tariff code(s), weight, and destination.
3. Submit the export data to ATLAS through your chosen route, before booking the pickup.
4. Customs reviews the declaration at the export customs office (Ausfuhrzollstelle). This can include a possible customs inspection.
5. You receive the ABD/EAD as a PDF, containing the MRN and barcode, once the declaration is accepted ("Überlassung zur Ausfuhr").
6. Attach the ABD/EAD to your shipment before handover — see Section 5.

Typical turnaround

Turnaround varies by declaration route and broker, but generally ranges from a few hours up to 24–48 hours. Factor this into your pickup scheduling — don't book a pickup before the ABD/EAD is in hand.

5. Providing the ABD/EAD to Logistics

You don't need to attach or print anything yourself. The main requirement on your end is to send the ABD/EAD to Qogita Logistics as soon as it's requested — your carrier may reach out directly for it, and Logistics needs to be able to provide it without delay.

6. What happens if it's missing or wrong

• No ABD/EAD when one is required: the parcel cannot legally leave the EU. Carriers will hold or return shipments that are missing mandatory export documentation, causing delivery delays and potential re-shipment costs.
• Incorrect declaration data (wrong value, missing HS code, mismatched invoice): can trigger a customs inspection, rejection, or delay while the declaration is corrected and resubmitted.
• Repeated non-compliance creates a real reason for customs authorities to increase scrutiny on future exports from the same declarant.

⚠️ Because ATLAS declarations are legally binding, make sure the declared value, weight, and goods description match the invoice exactly before submitting.

7. Where to get help

• Your carrier's AES/export declaration service (e.g. DHL Express's AES Service Desk) for booking the PoA and submitting declarations
• Your local Chamber of Commerce (IHK) or the relevant German customs office for questions on HS codes, thresholds, or whether your goods qualify
• Your Qogita Account Manager or <success@qogita.com> if you're unsure how this affects your UK (or other non-EU) shipments on the platform

This page is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal or customs advice. Always refer to official guidance from German Customs (Zoll) and your carrier's export documentation for the authoritative, up-to-date requirements.