The Germany market for Indian silver & fashion jewellery
REACH Annex XVII limits nickel release (entry 27), cadmium (entry 23) and lead (entry 63) in jewellery; testing per lot is standard (ASSUMPTION on entry details). India lost EU GSP preferences for 2026-2028 (Implementing Reg. (EU) 2025/1909), so MFN duty applies; the EU-India FTA concluded on 27 Jan 2026 is not yet in force.
Indian community in Germany (Ministry of External Affairs estimate): 364,013 (NRI 300,000 + PIO 64,013).
Silver & Fashion Jewellery specification for Germany orders
| Parameter | Typical export value |
|---|---|
| Silver fineness | 925 sterling (92.5% Ag), stamped; rhodium or oxidised finish (typical) |
| Stones | Natural semi-precious (amethyst, garnet, moonstone, turquoise etc.), CZ, lab-grown (typical) |
| Fashion base metals | Brass, copper, zinc alloy; nickel-free and lead-safe on request (typical) |
| Plating | Gold, rose gold, rhodium, antique; 0.5-2.5 µm (typical) |
| EU limits | Nickel release ≤ 0.5 µg/cm²/week (prolonged skin contact); Pb ≤ 0.05%; Cd ≤ 0.01% (REACH, typical buyer spec) |
Final values are agreed per contract, then confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Shipping silver & fashion jewellery to Germany
Typical sea transit Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) → Hamburg: 21-27 via Suez; 31-38 via Cape days. North Europe loop usually Rotterdam-Felixstowe-Hamburg-Antwerp order varies by service
Container loading (estimate): 20' Not applicable - air/courier shipments, 40' HC Not applicable.
Quoted on FCA, CIP, DAP, DDP; CIF Hamburg is the common choice for first orders.
Where buyers are in Germany
| City | Port / airport | Buyer sectors |
|---|---|---|
| Berlin | Hamburg (rail/canal); Rostock (Baltic) (inland) · Berlin Brandenburg (BER) | South Asian grocery wholesalers, HORECA (large restaurant scene), textile/garment importers |
| Hamburg | Port of Hamburg (Germany's largest; HHLA / Eurogate terminals) · Hamburg (HAM) | South Asian grocery importers, Spice/tea/coffee trading houses (Speicherstadt tradition), HORECA |
| Munich | Hamburg / Bremerhaven (rail); increasingly Trieste / Koper via Adriatic (inland) · Munich | South Asian grocery importers, Auto-component & engineering goods buyers, IT services buyers |
| Cologne | Rotterdam / Antwerp via Rhine (Häfen Köln - Niehl inland container port); inland · Cologne | South Asian & Turkish grocery wholesalers, Food importers via Anuga trade fair, confectionery (ISM) |
| Frankfurt am Main | Hamburg / Bremerhaven / Rotterdam (inland; Rhine-Main inland ports) · Frankfurt (FRA) - Eu | South Asian grocery wholesalers, Trade-fair buyers (Ambiente, Heimtextil |
| Stuttgart | Hamburg / Bremerhaven / Rotterdam (Neckar inland port Hafen Stuttgart); inland · Stuttgart | South Asian grocery importers, Auto-component & engineering goods buyers (castings, forgings |
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from India to Germany take?
Typically 21-27 via Suez; 31-38 via Cape days port-to-port from Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) to Hamburg, plus 5–10 days for stuffing, export clearance and destination clearance (estimates).
Does Germany have a trade agreement with India?
No bilateral FTA (EU competence). India–EU FTA concluded 27 Jan 2026, signing expected Dec 2026, not yet in force — until then MFN tariffs apply [S7][S8]; India graduated from EU GSP for 2026–2028 (Reg. (EU) 2025/1909) so MFN duties apply until the FTA enters into force (expected 2027) [06 §C.4] A preferential certificate of origin is needed to claim any reduced duty.
Which HS code applies to silver & fashion jewellery from India?
Usually HS 711311. Germany applies its own national tariff extension to the 6-digit code; confirm the full line with your broker.
Is your silver 925 sterling?
Yes. 92.5% silver, stamped 925, with XRF assay reports per lot.
Is fashion jewellery nickel-free?
On request. EU-bound fashion jewellery is made with nickel-safe plating and tested for nickel release, lead and cadmium.
Do I need hallmarking in the UK?
Silver articles over 7.78 g must carry a UK hallmark before sale. Your UK assay office can hallmark imported pieces.
Related guides
Request a quote: silver & fashion jewellery to Germany
Tell us grade, quantity and your port in Germany. We quote CIF/CFR with full export documentation.