Importing pet products to the EU
The EU applies one customs tariff but import VAT is set by each member state. Duty is assessed on a value that includes freight and insurance. Consumer products must meet general product safety rules, including an EU-based responsible person, and chemical rules apply to articles.
How duty is calculated
The EU applies a common customs tariff. Duty is a percentage of the customs value, which includes the price of the goods plus freight and insurance to the EU border. The rate depends on the tariff code, and similar products can have different codes. The EU does not publish its tariff through a simple open interface that we can read automatically, so our EU duty data is maintained by hand and shown with its date; when it is missing, the calculator says so.
Import VAT by country
Import VAT is set by each member state and is charged on the customs value plus duty. Standard rates were last checked on 2026-10-24: Germany 19 percent, France 20 percent, the Netherlands 21 percent, Spain 21 percent and Italy 22 percent. VAT-registered businesses can usually recover it, but it affects cash flow.
Registration numbers
To make customs declarations in the EU you generally need an economic operator registration number. A forwarder or broker may declare on your behalf, but be clear about who is importer of record.
General product safety
Consumer products sold in the EU generally have to be safe and traceable, and need an EU-based responsible economic operator, product identification and technical documentation. Ask the manufacturer for the safety documentation for the model, and decide who in the EU will act as the responsible person for your sales channel.
Chemicals in articles
EU chemicals rules can restrict some substances in finished articles and can require information about substances of very high concern. Ask for test evidence suited to the materials in your product, and make sure it covers the production version.
Electrical products
If a product is powered, such as a heated mat, electrical safety, electromagnetic compatibility and restricted-substance rules usually apply, with CE marking commonly requested. Confirm with an accredited lab. See our compliance checklist.
Food-contact items
Bowls and feeders hold food or water, so ask for food-contact evidence for the EU market, matched to the exact material and color.
Next steps
Use the landed cost calculator for an estimate, then send a sourcing request and we will include the landed cost in your brief.
Frequently asked questions
Is the duty the same in every EU country?
The customs tariff is common across the EU. VAT is not: each member state sets its own rate, so the same shipment costs a different amount of tax in Germany than in Spain.
What is the responsible person for product safety?
Consumer products placed on the EU market generally need an economic operator in the EU who can be contacted about safety and holds the documentation. Check what applies to your sales route.
Does CE marking apply to pet products?
Not to every product. Electrical items such as heated mats usually need it. Ask a testing lab which rules apply to your product before you order.
Related reading
- Landed cost from China to the US, UK and EU
What makes up the landed cost of pet products imported from China into the US, UK and EU: duty, fees, VAT, freight, and what a calculator cannot know. - Safety claims and test reports
How to read supplier test reports and decide which safety claims you can make about pet carriers, strollers, car restraints, bowls and mats. - How to vet a supplier remotely
A practical way to check a Chinese manufacturer before paying: documents to request, video audits, samples, third-party inspection and warning signs. - Pet travel bowls and feeders
Sourcing collapsible silicone, stainless steel and plastic pet travel bowls from China: materials, food-contact evidence, sizing, branding and packaging.
General information for planning. Not legal, customs or compliance advice. Requirements depend on your exact product and market.