An EPR registration number is required
EPR stands for “Extended Producer Responsibility” and is mandatory for all sellers who use cardboard packaging. Amazon describes it as an “environmental policy,” because it makes the seller responsible for the entire lifecycle of the products sold, including waste disposal. In Germany, EPR registrations are tracked in the LUCID packaging register of the Zentrale Stelle Verpackungsregister (ZSVR). The registration requirement initially applies only to producers who use cardboard packaging under the VerpackG. This covers both primary and secondary packaging (shipping packaging). You can findmore information about this legislation here.
The law also applies to your German online store and other marketplaces
If you market packaging in Germany, there are further obligations in addition to EPR registration. The German ZSVR office launched the LUCID packaging register in January 2019. Since then, all companies selling products to German consumers have been required to register and declare their annual packaging weights. That means you have to report the amount of packaging you put on the German market per year to this register. This proof must be made by May 15 of each year for the previous calendar year in the form of a report.
Don't worry, it'll be taken care of in no time
Request the registration instructions through us. In addition, we have negotiateda discountfor our customers with one of the dual systems. By completing the registration process using the instructions in our email, you will automatically receive this discount.
Starting in Germany?
Launch your webshop with the shop launch!
Are you planning to start a German webshop? The German e-commerce market is enormously interesting for international growth strategy because of its proximity and size. However, a larger market also means more competitors and on top of that, German consumers are very critical. They prefer to buy from German webshops and place great value on legal documents and seals of approval. It is therefore important that your webshop has a German look and feel.
To best address this, we have developed the all-in service, dexport Shop Launch. This includes a translation of your shop, adapted to the German market, including hosting of legal documents and a German return address for a local appearance. Extensions such as a German phone number and seal of approval are possible. In some cases, a customized approach is most effective. We advise you to make the right choices.
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.de domain name
We take care of hosting your .de domain through a German provider. Should you already have .de hosting or choose to place your German website on a .com/the subdomain, you can of course do so.
There are several advantages to using both a .com and a .de domain for German consumers:
- International recognition: A .com domain is recognized worldwide and can contribute to greater reach and a more international appeal.
- Local recognition: A .de domain is considered local and trusted by German consumers. It shows that you specifically target the German market and understand local needs, which can lead to higher engagement and conversion.
- Search engine optimization (SEO): A .de domain name can help improve local SEO. Search engines such as Google often prioritize local domains when showing search results to users in Germany. This can lead to higher visibility of and more organic traffic to your website.
- International recognition: A .com domain is recognized worldwide and can contribute to greater reach and a more international appeal.
German AI clone of your website
The AI-clone feature translates your website in a smart and efficient way. After cloning your online store, you retain the flexibility to customize each page and add SEO-optimized content, further optimizing your visibility and performance in the German market.
If you prefer a custom-built German online store, our consulting team is here to help. We support you with detailed checklists and expert advice to create a website that is perfectly tailored to the German e-commerce market.
German postal address
Reliability is the greatest asset for German consumers (also business target group) when making purchases. Listing a German mailing address gives German consumers the feeling of having landed on a reliable and secure German website. Renting a German address is for the appearance of the German look and feel on your website, the German address, along with a German phone number is a cost-effective way to show that your business is fully geared to the German market.
You can establish a presence in Germany by renting a mailing address through us. This gives you access to a German virtual office (a German mailing or return address, with a phone number if desired). In practice, it is also often possible to open a German bank account using a German mailing address. You can list the German address on your website.
EPR and/or WEEE registration
In Germany, you have to comply with EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) registration when you put packaging on the market. This means you have to register your packaging through the LUCID platform. You also need WEEE registration if you sell electronics. Through us you can request an instructional email with all the necessary information. In addition, you will receive a discount on joining a Dual System, allowing you to comply with German packaging legislation efficiently and economically.
Legal Certainty Website
It is important that your business complies with all tax and legal requirements. This will help you avoid legal notices (claims) and make a trustworthy impression on German consumers. Thanks to our service and the Dexport partner network, your online store will always be legally up to date! In addition to the German terms and conditions and privacy policy, you must also include an Impressum (a type of legal notice) and a Widerrufsbelehrung (return policy) on your site.
With our legal services, you’re on solid legal ground, even when selling on German marketplaces. We ensure that your website and related documents comply with strict German consumer protection laws. Plus, for a modest monthly fee, we host your legal documents and keep them up to date at all times.
