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German WEEE registration: from authorised representative to registration number

Short answer

A seller without a German establishment cannot register for WEEE alone. You first appoint a German authorised representative, who files the application with stiftung ear; until the registration notice arrives, you may not sell these devices in Germany. stiftung ear: WEEE-Nummer als ausländisches Unternehmen; stiftung ear: WEEE-Registrierung beantragen, Schritt 1

The key facts at a glance

Who registers
A business established outside Germany that offers electrical equipment directly to German end users by distance means counts as the "manufacturer". ElektroG § 3 Nr. 9 Buchst. d
Representative
One only; in writing, in German; effective for at least 3 months. ElektroG § 8 Abs. 1
One registration =
one brand plus one device type; several brands or device types need separate applications. stiftung ear: WEEE-Registrierung beantragen, Schritt 4
Review time
Usually 2 to 4 weeks for a complete application. stiftung ear: WEEE-Registrierung beantragen, FAQ
Statutory fees
EUR 9.50 per registration, plus EUR 32.80 per registration number per calendar quarter. ElektroGBattDGGebV Anlage Nr. 1.1; ElektroGBattDGGebV Anlage Nr. 1.2
Fine cap
No or late registration: up to EUR 100,000. ElektroG § 45 Abs. 1 Nr. 1; ElektroG § 45 Abs. 2
The 8 steps of WEEE registration1Confirm you are the"manufacturer"Overseas businesses selling to Germanyat a distance count2Choose a German representativeIn writing, in German, 3 months ormore, only one3Sign the mandate; representativefiles itstiftung ear confirms the mandatefirst4Apply per brand and device typeA company name works without atrademark5Provide the financial security(household devices)For example a bank surety (Bürgschaft)6Submit and wait for reviewReviewed in order of arrival; no queuejumping7Receive the notice and numberWEEE-Reg.-Nr. DE, listed in the publicregister8State the number on offers andinvoicesOnly then sell
Figure 1. The 8 steps of WEEE registration

Step 1: decide whether you are the "manufacturer"

ElektroG § 3 no. 9 (d): a business established in another EU Member State or a third country that offers equipment directly to end users in Germany by distance means is a "manufacturer" under the Act. ElektroG § 3 Nr. 9 Buchst. d

stiftung ear states that the registration is required for equipment used in private households (B2C) as well as commercially (B2B). stiftung ear: WEEE-Registrierung beantragen

An Amazon.de listing is distance selling. If your shop ships to German consumers, follow the steps below.

Steps 2 and 3: appoint a German authorised representative

A foreign business cannot register itself; it needs an authorised representative based in Germany to take over the manufacturer's legal duties. stiftung ear: WEEE-Nummer als ausländisches Unternehmen

A German subsidiary is not your company's establishment in Germany; recognising an establishment also requires a German tax number. stiftung ear: WEEE-Nummer als ausländisches Unternehmen

Representative fees and scope differ by provider and this guide found no public price it could verify, so it gives no figure. When comparing, align the scope first: WEEE only, or batteries and packaging as well.

Steps 4 to 6: application, financial security, submission

Each brand and each device type is a separate registration. stiftung ear: WEEE-Registrierung beantragen, Schritt 4

Without a registered trademark you may use the company name as the brand. stiftung ear: WEEE-Registrierung beantragen, Schritt 4

For devices used in private households the application must include a financial security that the later disposal will be paid for. stiftung ear gives a bank surety (Bürgschaft) as an example. stiftung ear: WEEE-Registrierung beantragen, Schritt 6

The statute's wording: the application must include a financial security or, for devices used outside households only, a plausibility statement and a take-back concept. ElektroG § 6 Abs. 1 Satz 3

Chargers, headphones and lamps are devices ordinary consumers use, so prepare the financial security for household use.

Steps 7 and 8: review, number, use

Applications are reviewed in order of arrival; moving one forward is not possible. stiftung ear: WEEE-Registrierung beantragen, Schritt 7

After approval you receive the registration notice and number (WEEE-Reg.-Nr. DE) and appear in the public register. stiftung ear: WEEE-Registrierung beantragen, Schritt 8

You must state the registration number when offering devices and on invoices. ElektroG § 6 Abs. 3; stiftung ear: WEEE-Registrierung beantragen, Schritt 8

Not stating the number is itself an offence, with a fine cap of EUR 100,000. ElektroG § 45 Abs. 1 Nr. 5; ElektroG § 45 Abs. 2

What the statutory fees are

These are the figures in the fee schedule; VAT is added where the service is subject to it. ElektroGBattDGGebV § 1 Abs. 1

What this guide did not verify

Not verified here: representative service fees, the actual cost of a financial security, and which device type a given product falls into.

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What sellers also ask

Can I register with stiftung ear myself?

No. A foreign business needs a German authorised representative, who files the registration. stiftung ear: WEEE-Nummer als ausländisches Unternehmen

I only sell B2B. Do I register?

Yes. The registration is required for household and commercial equipment alike. stiftung ear: WEEE-Registrierung beantragen

Can I list before the notice arrives?

No. stiftung ear states that devices may be placed on the market only once you hold the registration notice. stiftung ear: WEEE-Registrierung beantragen, Schritt 1

If I sell unregistered, what about platforms and warehouses?

While a manufacturer is unregistered, marketplace operators may not enable offers of its devices and fulfilment service providers may not store, pack or ship them. ElektroG § 6 Abs. 2 Satz 2 Nr. 2; ElektroG § 6 Abs. 2 Satz 2 Nr. 3

Where does each statement come from?

Every source below is a legal text or an authority page; click through to compare.

  1. ElektroG § 3 Nr. 9 Buchst. d · read 2026-10-18
  2. ElektroG § 45 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 · read 2026-10-18
  3. ElektroG § 45 Abs. 1 Nr. 5 · read 2026-10-18
  4. ElektroG § 45 Abs. 2 · read 2026-10-18
  5. ElektroG § 6 Abs. 1 Satz 3 · read 2026-10-18
  6. ElektroG § 6 Abs. 2 Satz 2 Nr. 2 · read 2026-10-18
  7. ElektroG § 6 Abs. 2 Satz 2 Nr. 3 · read 2026-10-18
  8. ElektroG § 6 Abs. 3 · read 2026-10-18
  9. ElektroG § 8 Abs. 1 · read 2026-10-18
  10. ElektroG § 8 Abs. 3 · read 2026-10-18
  11. ElektroGBattDGGebV Anlage Nr. 1.1 · read 2026-10-27
  12. ElektroGBattDGGebV Anlage Nr. 1.2 · read 2026-10-27
  13. ElektroGBattDGGebV Anlage Nr. 1.4 · read 2026-10-27
  14. ElektroGBattDGGebV Anlage Nr. 1.7 · read 2026-10-27
  15. ElektroGBattDGGebV § 1 Abs. 1 · read 2026-10-18
  16. stiftung ear: WEEE-Nummer als ausländisches Unternehmen · read 2026-10-27
  17. stiftung ear: WEEE-Registrierung beantragen · read 2026-10-27
  18. stiftung ear: WEEE-Registrierung beantragen, FAQ · read 2026-10-27
  19. stiftung ear: WEEE-Registrierung beantragen, Schritt 1 · read 2026-10-27
  20. stiftung ear: WEEE-Registrierung beantragen, Schritt 4 · read 2026-10-27
  21. stiftung ear: WEEE-Registrierung beantragen, Schritt 6 · read 2026-10-27
  22. stiftung ear: WEEE-Registrierung beantragen, Schritt 7 · read 2026-10-27
  23. stiftung ear: WEEE-Registrierung beantragen, Schritt 8 · read 2026-10-27

This guide summarises public legal texts and authority pages as general information. It is not legal advice. For your case, ask a licensed German lawyer.

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