German windows in USA – everything you need to know (+ real prices and photos)
You’ve heard a lot about German windows and are considering them for your projects. However, you may have many questions. This article provides the insights you need to make the most profitable decisions for your business.
Table of contents:
- Prices
- Photos
- German window brands – quality gap
- List of German system providers
- Are German quality windows worth investing in?
- Where to buy German windows is USA?
- How to buy German windows from Europe?
- How to arrange shipping by yourself
- Importing costs
What is the price of German windows?
Examples of German windows and doors available at debesto
See the full list of German tilt and turn windows
Please note, the prices shown here are from Polish manufacturers. To estimate the cost of similar windows purchased locally in the U.S., you should expect to pay 2 to 4 times more. The lead time is comparable, as windows need to be imported to the U.S. regardless.
Tip: German windows at half of the price – how to make it
Did you know you can buy windows from German system providers that are manufactured in Poland for a price up to 4 times lower?
Poland is the world’s largest window exporter, even surpassing China. In this small country, you’ll find around 3,000 window manufacturers offering German window systems.
At debesto, we specialize in importing these windows to the U.S.
Calculate prices for German windows online
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Get free quote nowGerman windows in USA – real project implementations by debesto’s customers
German window brands – why the quality gap?
First, when discussing German windows, it’s important to know key facts that can significantly impact your profits.
Many people mistakenly believe that when you buy a window branded as “Schüco,” it’s actually made by Schüco. However, this isn’t true.
Schuco in Europe is not manufactured by Schuco – how this fact can impact your business?
In Europe, companies like Schüco are system providers, supplying the engineering, design, and structure—the conceptual groundwork for the window. They rarely handle the assembly of the final product. Instead, manufacturers combinie profiles, glass units, and hardware to create the finished window.
When you see a German window with a German brand label – it equals system provider and the manufacturer who assembled it doesn’t need to be from Germany.
The list of German window system providers:
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.
German windows quality
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.
Where to buy German windows in USA?
There are three ways to buy German windows in the U.S.:
- 1. Buy locally from a German window importer based in the U.S.
- 2. Buy online directly from a German window manufacturer in Europe.
- 3. Buy online through a German window broker like debesto.
Buying from the U.S. vs. buying from Europe:
If you buy from a U.S.-based company, you’ll pay a much higher margin, which can make the final price up to 4 times higher than in Europe.
When using a U.S.-based broker, you pay U.S. prices and wait the same amount of time (since the windows still need to be manufactured and imported from Europe).
If you use a Europe-based broker like debesto, you pay lower European prices and wait the same amount of time as you would ordering from the U.S.
How to buy German windows from Europe
One of the most profitable ways to buy German quality windows is to order them straight from one of the producers in Europe.
If you are experienced in importing windows, you can ship them by yourself to the US. Feel free to use our educational articles to learn more about importing windows to the US.
The second option is importing German window to the USA to the chosen port in the US with the help of the professional consultants and commodity brokers. And this is exactly what we at debesto 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 process and after-sales support.
See case studies on German windows in the U.S.
We’ve helped construction companies safely and profitably import windows and patio doors to the U.S. Discover the advantages they’ve achieved with our help.
Read case studiesShould 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.
Buying German windows from Poland ensures that you get profiles made with proven technology in modern production facilities, all while staying cost-effective.
How to arrange shipping of your German windows?
If you decide to import German windows from Europe to the U.S. by yourself, feel free to use a knowledge from our logoistic department that export windows already for 10 years.
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.
What’s the cost of importing German windows to the USA?
Let’s be honest, shipping windows from Europe to the U.S. is the biggest cost in the entire import process.
For private customers ordering just a few windows, it’s neither profitable nor efficient. Construction companies, however, can make it safely and cost-effective.
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.
Key takeaways for a U.S. building companies considering implementing German windows into projects:
- Cost Savings:
German windows manufactured in Poland can be 2-4 times cheaper than buying similar products in the U.S., without compromising on quality. - Energy-efficiency:
German windows offer better insulation and resilience to harsh climates, thanks to triple or quadruple glazing. - Shipping Considerations:
Importing windows involves shipping logistics, customs duties, and careful selection of Incoterms. - Polish Expertise:
Polish manufacturers combine German technology with cost-effective production methods.
Need help with shipping German windows to USA?
We outsource German window production each year to trusted Polish manufacturers—efficiently, safely, and on time. Let’s see how we can help grow your business!
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