Compliance checklist: what must be clarified before importing from China to Germany
The purchase price is only one part of the decision. German retailers also need product safety, labelling, registrations and documents. This checklist shows the key blocks before you order.
Resource · For importers, marketplace sellers and private labels
The quick pre-check
Before each order, it must be clear whether the product can legally be placed on the German market. The answer depends on category, audience, material, electrical/battery content, food contact, child relevance and labelling. If one is unclear, production should not start.
- Define product category and target audience clearly
- Check mandatory rules: CE, GPSR, REACH, RoHS, LFGB, toys, textiles
- Labelling: manufacturer/importer, warnings, language, symbols, batches
- Registrations: packaging/LUCID, WEEE, battery law, EPR by category
- Documents: test report, declaration, material data, manual
The three most dangerous gaps
First: reports that do not match the actual model. Second: labels without German responsible party or warnings. Third: platform requirements that appear only after listing. These gaps may not always stop import, but they stop sales and payouts.
How we structure the document package
For each project we create a product file: specification, supplier evidence, test reports, label photos, packaging data, import documents and release decisions. That gives you a clear answer for Amazon, Otto, customs, insurance or authorities instead of chat screenshots.
Common import compliance questions
Does this checklist replace legal advice?
No. It is a practical purchasing and document check. For legally critical products we recommend specialist advice or lab clarification.
Can a Chinese CE report be enough?
Sometimes, if lab, standard version, model reference and scope match. Often reports are old, incomplete or for another model.
Which products are especially risky?
Electronics, toys, baby products, food contact, cosmetics, jewellery, PPE, medical products and anything with battery or radio module.
Related topics
Check your product compliance before ordering
Send product link or datasheet — we check the key obligations and tell you which evidence is missing before order.