Licenses and permits to open a warehouse or 3PL in Berlin

A warehouse adds occupancy and fire rules for storage, and customs filings when it handles imports. Here are the 5 filings, in the order they're made.

Updated October 15, 20265 filingsSources: the agencies' own sites

Commercial register entry (GmbH)

Local court (Registergericht), through a notaryGermany, national

The articles are notarized and the notary files the registration electronically.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed in person

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Transparency register (beneficial owners)

Bundesanzeiger Verlag, Transparency RegisterGermany, national

Companies record their beneficial owners online.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed online

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Trade registration

Bezirksamt Berlin, OrdnungsamtBerlin

Every shop, restaurant and trading business registers its trade with Berlin before starting. The city passes it on to the tax office and the food inspectors.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed online

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Tax registration questionnaire

Finanzamt (through ELSTER)Germany, national

Filed online through ELSTER within a month of starting; the tax office then issues the tax number and VAT ID.

Fee
Free
Filed
Filed online

File on the agency's site How to fill it
EORI number for importing

German customs (Zoll)Germany, national

Requested from German customs before the first import.

Fee
Free
Filed
Filed online

File on the agency's site How to fill it

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<div class="placetta-checklist"><p><strong>Licenses and permits to open a warehouse or 3PL in Berlin</strong></p><ol><li>Commercial register entry (GmbH) (Local court (Registergericht), through a notary)</li><li>Transparency register (beneficial owners) (Bundesanzeiger Verlag, Transparency Register)</li><li>Trade registration (Bezirksamt Berlin, Ordnungsamt)</li><li>Tax registration questionnaire (Finanzamt (through ELSTER))</li><li>EORI number for importing (German customs (Zoll))</li></ol><p>Source: <a href="https://placetta.com/guides/berlin/warehouse-3pl.html">Placetta license guide</a></p></div>

Other businesses in Berlin

Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.

Get the plan for your warehouse or 3PL in Berlin

This guide covers the city. Your exact address decides the county, the health district and the zoning. Placetta maps every filing for it, fills the official forms from your details, adds the deadlines and puts them up for your approval.

The full list for your address, in filing order
The official forms, filled line by line
Renewal and inspection reminders

Commercial register entry (GmbH)

Transparency register (beneficial owners)

Trade registration

Tax registration questionnaire

EORI number for importing

More on opening in Berlin

Other businesses in Berlin

Get the plan for your warehouse or 3PL in Berlin