Importing German Quality Windows to the USA – everything you need to know
You’ve heard a lot about the German quality windows and decided to purchase them. This is the pleasant part of the buying process. However, to finalize the transaction, you need to ship the goods to your country – USA, which can be difficult without professional help. Fret not, debesto got you covered.
After reading this article, you will know:
- why are German quality windows worth investing in
- why should you buy German quality windows from Poland
- what’s the cost of the import and how to save money on it
- how to arrange shipping European windows to the USA
- what does the shipping look like from the legal side
- what does the reception of windows look like
Why are German windows worth investing in?
German windows are getting more and more popular in the USA. Their major advantage over the American ones is their climate resilience. Usually, the American windows use double pane while the German ones have triple or even quadruple panes along with integrated blinds. Thanks to that, they keep heat during the winter and keep pleasant, not-too-hot temperatures during the summer.
Even if we take into consideration that some of the North American windows also use triple panes, they have smaller spaces between them compared to their European rivals. It makes American ones less resistant to the outer climate.
Overall, German windows are known for their high quality and durability. They are manufactured with precision engineering and strict quality control standards. German manufacturers use advanced materials and technologies to create windows that can withstand harsh conditions, provide excellent insulation, and have a long lifespan.
Should you purchase German quality windows from Poland?
The answer is simple – yes. Why?
Currently, Poland is the world’s largest window exporter, and it’s no secret, that its market is largely based on German technologies. In the past, Poland imported German machinery, which allowed Polish manufacturers to improve their production processes and product quality. We can take it as another proof that German windows and technologies are simply top-notch and allow businesses to grow tremendously.
Over time, Polish producers have acquired knowledge and skills straight from German counterparts, allowing them to develop their own expertise in window production. Additionally, they have been able to combine German technology with their own craftsmanship and cost-effective production methods.
In short, buying German quality windows from Poland grants you a guarantee that such profiles will be based on proven technology, created in modern machine parks, while also being cost-effective.
Where to buy German quality windows?
One of the ways to buy German quality windows is to order them straight from one of the producers. You can also ship them to the chosen port in the US with the help of the professional consultants and commodity brokers. And this is exactly what we do.
To help our customers find the best possible solutions, we take care of the whole process, starting from choosing the right windows through completing the order and taking care of the whole formalities (related to the order and shipping) and finally sending them to the chosen port in the US. You don’t have to spend hours searching for better options, we will take care of the whole procedure for you.
So, what does the cooperation with debesto look like?
We start with an interview, in which we get to know your needs. Then, we browse the market to find the best possible solutions for your business. Once we know what kind of solutions you need, we compare offers for this solution using the network of our partners and present it to you. If everything is fine, and you choose one of the presented offers, we start the purchasing process. We will take care of all the formalities.
As a broker, we cooperate with globally-known (German and other European) brands such as Aluprof, Rehau, Gealan, Veka, Schuco, Aliplast, and Kommerling. Thanks to our experience, we know which vendors stick to the deadlines and offer the best quality of their goods, so you can be sure that you won’t have to fill any complaints.
We will also give you a 30-month warranty that includes every country in the world.
Calculate prices for German windows online
Are you interested in the cost of German-quality windows? Use our online window calculator to get an estimate for your project with top brands like Veka, Rehau, Gealan, and Salamander.
Calculate your quote nowWhat’s the cost of importing German quality windows to the USA?
Let’s be honest, shipping windows from Europe to the USA across the ocean is the biggest cost of the whole import. However, there are some ways to do it as cost-effective as possible.
The first, quite obvious, is to order a full container (a 40-foot container is able to fit about 100 windows with dimensions of 6 ft 6.74 in x 6 ft 6.74 in), which will be preferable to groupage transport.
Second of all, you don’t need to choose cheaper windows to cut costs because the quality of the goods does not influence the shipping cost. If you want to order wooden windows, and even better, aluminum profiles the transport price will be similar but will affect the import cost much less.
How much does a container of windows and doors from Poland to the US cost?
The estimated price of shipping a container of windows to the USA (that measures 40 feet) is around 7,500 USD, and with “labor” and preparation of crates, etc., you have to add approximately 1,500 USD to the overall cost.
With debesto’s offer, you can save up to 4 times on shipping. Check our price list to know the current delivery prices.
How to arrange shipping of your German quality windows?
Shipping any goods abroad is always associated with certain formalities and costs. Let’s go through them briefly.
The tax rate when shipping German quality windows
When you buy goods and export them outside the European Union, you are entitled to a 0% VAT rate.
The document that justify preferential VAT rate is:
- IE 599 – issued as electronic message by ECS (Export Control System), it is a confirmation of the export of goods outside the EU. We receive them within 14 days of the goods leaving the last European Union port.
Additionally:
- IE 529 MRN – this is a confirmation of the beginning of the exportation procedure. We get this document in a Polish port, at the time of the customs clearance. The MRN number is a unique number assigned to a particular submission. It is used to identify a specific shipment in the ECS system.
Windows’ customs clearance
To organize a customs clearance, you need to prepare the following documents:
- commercial invoice (it is good to have an English version),
- packing list (list of the goods, and it’s netto/brutto weight),
- exporter company’s registration documents,
- authorization for customs agency
How does maritime transport of windows to the USA look like?
At debesto.com, ocean freight forwarding to the US is carried out according to Incoterms (International Commercial Terms), that is, International Trade Rules. These rules are widely accepted around the world and divide responsibility between buyer and seller.
We ship containers on 3 options of delivery – including Full-service delivery, where we take care of everything, including customs.
Reception of your windows
After your windows leave the port, you will be contacted by the agent on the American side (chosen by debesto or the one you found on your own), who will take care of all formalities for you. They will help you with all local payments, and taxes proper for every state. The agent will also establish a way of taking the goods after it comes to the port. You can pick up an order on your own or ask for home delivery.
Shipping goods to the port in the USA – customers’ obligations
Let’s say your windows have just arrived at the port in the USA. Now you are responsible for some important steps. What are they? It mostly depends on the chosen Incoterm.
In the case of CIF, you have to:
- pay customs duties and the cost of import clearance
- pay tax sales
- pay for port handling and fees for any holdings
- arrange and pay for transportation from the port to your destination
- arrange unloading of the cargo
In the case of DAP:
- pay customs duties, warehouse fee (if applicable), and the cost of import clearance
- pay tax sales
- arrange unloading of the cargo
It’s extremely important to remember about these steps because omitting just one of them may cost you even hundreds of dollars.
What should you keep in mind when collecting windows?
When picking up the windows imported from Europe, it’s also good to remember about the following aspects:
- On site, check whether the quantity and quality of the packages match.
- Take photos of the products in the packages and after opening them, in case of possible damage.
- Remember, whether you choose the CIF or DAP option, it is up to you to unload the goods. A forklift and manpower will probably prove essential.
It is a good idea to find out in advance the dimension of the goods to be delivered so that the right car will drive up. This one also needs to be selected in terms of the destination, so that it can get the windows to the site efficiently. In addition, you need to organize the right tools for unloading, such as a forklift, and in the case of large structures, such as frameless sliding windows, even a crane can be helpful — adds Jacek Lyczewski, a logistician at debesto.com.