If you're an expat in Germany, chances are friends or family back home have asked you to send German baby formula. The most practical tip: use a tax-included shipping line (奶粉包税专线) to avoid customs delays and extra fees. Here's everything you need to know, from buying to packing to choosing a courier.
1. Where to Buy Formula
Physical stores like DM and Rossmann limit purchases to 3 cans per person. Buy online instead:
- DM online shop
- Rossmann online shop
- Windeln (official Aptamil partner, German-language site, delivers only within Germany)
Avoid Chinese-language sites ending in .cn that claim to ship directly to China — they're often unreliable. German formula is subsidized by the government, so bulk exports at low prices are suspicious.
2. Which Formula to Choose
Two popular brands:
- Aptamil Profutura (白金版): Around €19.99 per box (≈160 RMB), globally recognized.
- Hipp: Around €10 per box, preferred by many German families. A pediatrician relative recommended it for my son.
3. Packing Your Formula
Original packaging is too thin for international shipping. You'll need:
- A sturdy cardboard box (at least 3 layers thick)
- Air cushions or bubble wrap to protect each can
- A printer for shipping labels, adhesive labels, and wide tape
I buy packing materials from this Chinese shop (about €1 per box). You can also find them on Amazon.
4. Choosing a Courier
Always use a tax-included shipping line (奶粉包税专线) to avoid customs seizure or extra taxes. Delivery usually takes 2–4 weeks.
Courier Updates (as of 2021–2024)
E速达 (Esuda): Reliable, stable. Use my referral code C0820C.
驿杨速递 (Yiyang Express): Allows up to 12 cans per shipment, only one label needed. Good during the pandemic.
速递中国 (Send2China): Fast customs clearance (≈10 days from warehouse to China). €25 for 6 cans. Recommended.
西邮寄 (Xipost): More expensive (€32 for 6 cans), BC line discontinued. CC line limits: max 6 cans of 600g, and Hipp 1+ only 4 cans. Customer service is responsive.
DB商城 (DB Station): Used to allow 12 cans, but service became poor. They suspended BC line without notice, forced you to pay extra for another line, and deducted return shipping even for their own fault. Not recommended.
Final Tips
Expect some heavy lifting — you may need to carry 7kg of formula from the post office to your home and back. But with the right courier and packing, your formula will arrive safely.
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