 Germany : Formalities
It is only necessary to complete immigration procedures when arriving in or departing from Germany. This has to be done at a community port where there is a Bundespolizri Office. In small ports there may not be an office (call the Head Office in Hamburg on +49 40 66995050 to check if in doubt).
Passports and 2 crew lists must be produced. 1 crew list will be stamped and has to be shown when signing out of Germany at your last port.
On arrival, the Q flag must be flown, unless arriving from an EU or Scandinavian country. Yachts arriving from a non-EU country must report to customs (Zoll) at one of the ports of entry. Helgoland is not a port of entry and clearance formalities cannot be completed there.
When leaving Germany for Poland or vice versa the following is a list of places where the authorities have offices either in stations or on board their own vessels :- Rostock, Straisund, Sassnitz, Lauterbach.
The following operate only during day time :- Fairway Libben, Fairway Bock, Isle of Ruden, Fairway Oderhaff.
It is advised to check German requirements at the first port of call as in the former East Germany some skippers have been required to check in with Customs as well as Immigratrion.
No formalities required for yachts departing for or arriving from Poland
Duty-free stores must be declared to customs. Immigration must be cleared on arrival and departure.
Laboe, at the entrance of the Kiel fjord, is the customs clearance point for yachts entering or leaving Germany via Kiel.
Kiel Canal: If passing through the Kiel Canal, but not visiting Germany, the 3rd substitute pennant must be flown.
Last updated July 2008
Germany is a member of the Schengen Agreement Area. See Noonsite' Schengen page for more details on the immigration rules.
Last updated October 2008.
Firearms must be declared and will be sealed on board.
EU regulations apply concerning temporary importation. See EU VAT page for more information.
Last updated October 2008.
Yachts must carry their original registration document, insurance policy and ship's radio licence. A copy of the German ColRegs (Seeshiffahrtsstrassen-Ordnung) must also be carried even if the German is not understood. For EU boats, proof of VAT status is also required. The captains of foreign yachts may have to show a certificate of competence, although the rules stipulate that this is not compulsory if such a certificate is not required in the country where the vessel is registered. A radio operator's certificate is compulsory.
There are strict anti-pollution regulations in force throughout Germany, but particularly in the Baltic Sea. The disposal of garbage anywhere in the Baltic is forbidden. Degradable foodstuff can only be disposed of overboard more than 12 miles from shore. Special containers are provided in all ports for the disposal of garbage and used oils.
Holding Tanks. Boats are required to be equipped with waste tanks although there are exemptions for all vessels which are less and 10.5m long or less than 2.8m wide or built before 1980. Other exemptions may exist including foreign vessesl whose normal home port is outside Germany so long as they are only visiting Germany for a season.
Navigation: When motorsailing, a black cone with its apex pointing downwards must be displayed - failure to do so can result in instant fines. Yachts must carry on board the German collision regulations (Seeschiffahrtsstrasse-nordnung) and the Kiel Canal Rules. The latter can be obtained at the Canal.
Regulations state that any vessel over 15 tons is considered a merchant ship and must carry a pilot through most state waterways unless one has a Master's Certificate, though it appears that in practice this is not applied to yachts.
Children under 15 years may not steer a vessel under way in German waters and in certain rivers this minimum age is 21 or 23. Motor boats and sometimes sailing yachts require special permission to use some inland waterways.
PET REGULATIONS - Germany accepts animals coming under the Pet Travel Scheme(PETS) with a Passport, a current Health Certificate and current Rabies Vaccination and have been microchipped and blood tested by recognised Veterinarian prior to entry.
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