GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026

Bremerhaven Port Free Trade Zone

An importer shipping goods from overseas but wanting to defer the customs decision first places them in a free zone.

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Last updated: 26 June 2026Published: 22 November 2025

Source: https://www.bremerhaven.de/en/invest/invest-in-bremerhaven-1/faq-and-terminals-1/freetrade-zone-bremerhaven.134195.html

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Definition & Explanation

An importer shipping goods from overseas but wanting to defer the customs decision first places them in a free zone. These designated port areas allow goods to be stored, repacked, and processed without immediate liability for customs duties or import VAT; charges only arise when goods are released into free circulation within the EU. Port-based free zones give importers and distributors greater flexibility over the timing and planning of customs clearance. Unlike a customs warehouse, a free zone is a geographically fixed area within the port perimeter governed by a specific EU regulatory framework.

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Bremerhaven Port Free Trade Zone

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