21/03/2025 - Increasing reporting obligations, sanctions, and geopolitical uncertainties are unsettling export-oriented companies in Germany. This is highlighted in the DIHK Foreign Trade Report 2025. The report is based on a survey of the 79 German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (IHKs) regarding their certification services and consultancy priorities in foreign trade. "Cross-border trade is becoming increasingly complex," explains the DIHK's head of division, Melanie Vogelbach. "This is partly due to increasing geopolitical tensions and trade restrictions, but also to extensive reporting and documentation requirements for internationally operating companies, such as those concerning supply chains and sustainability. Europe's companies feel overwhelmed by the multitude of regulations."

The report reveals that the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act remained top topics within the IHK's advisory services for foreign trade in 2024. Additionally, the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine and the EU's persistent sanctions result in a significant need for counselling. "The extensive export and import bans, sanctions in the services sector, and transport restrictions pose considerable challenges for companies," says Vogelbach. "Besides the EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus, the reciprocal sanctions between the USA and China are also increasingly coming into focus. These too can have extraterritorial impacts on German businesses."

Digital procedures for export certifications on the rise 

In addition to advising companies, the issuance of certificates of origin and carnets is among the foreign trade core tasks of the IHKs. A certificate of origin is a document mandatory in some countries for the import of goods, certifying the origin of goods. Carnets enable companies and individuals to simplify customs procedures when temporarily exporting goods such as professional equipment, exhibition goods, or samples to third countries. 

In 2024, the IHKs issued approximately 1.08 million certificates of origin for export shipments in Germany. This represents a slight decline of 1.4 percent compared to the previous year. During the same period, the share of electronic certificates of origin reached a record 91 percent. 

The number of issued carnets slightly decreased to 21,634 in 2024 (2023: 22,140). However, the total value of goods temporarily delivered abroad with these carnets increased to €1.88 billion. Since 2023, carnets can be applied for electronically in Germany. Currently, 90 percent of IHKs offer this service online. Together with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the DIHK is working towards the complete digitalisation of the carnet process.