How I used a freight forwarder to get the Matte Sand Aarke Carbonator Pro to Germany

Why the Matte Sand Aarke is my 2026 obsession

I have always appreciated minimalist kitchen design, and as we approach the peak of the 2026 home hosting season, I noticed a specific trend blowing up. While many of my friends in Dubai are picking up the Aarke Carbonator Pro in Matte Sand for their Ramadan home preparations, I realized this specific colorway is actually a US exclusive. The sandy, earthy tone is a perfect match for the neutral palettes that are so popular right now.

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I decided I had to have one for my apartment in Berlin. Since I couldn't find it at any local retailers, I started looking at us trends to see where it was in stock. The Matte Sand finish isn't just about looks; the Carbonator Pro itself is a workhorse that uses a glass bottle system, which I prefer over plastic. Because it isn't available in Europe, I knew I would need a reliable freight forwarder to bridge the gap.

The process of buying from US stores from Germany

When I first tried to order the Aarke directly, the US retailer wouldn't ship to Germany. This is a common hurdle I face when I want specific colorways or limited editions. My workaround was to use a tax-free US address. By shipping the item to a warehouse in a state like Oregon, I avoided US sales tax entirely, which helped keep my initial costs down.

If you find that a US store doesn't accept your German credit card, you can always look into proxy shopping services. I've found that using a "buy for me" service can simplify the checkout process when retailers are being picky about international billing addresses. After my order was confirmed, I just waited for it to arrive at my suite so I could manage the international shipping to my door.

Shipping estimates and what to expect

Before I committed to the purchase, I used a shipping calculator to get a rough idea of the total cost. Since the Aarke Carbonator Pro is a sturdy piece of machinery, it isn't exactly light. Here is the breakdown of the logistics I encountered for this specific item:

One thing I learned from the FAQ is that most international carriers cannot ship the CO2 gas cylinders. I made sure to buy my CO2 cylinders locally in Germany, as they use the same standard threading. I only shipped the machine and the glass bottle from the USA.

Handling import tax and VAT in Germany

Bringing goods from outside the EU means we have to consider the import tax. In Germany, you'll generally be looking at a 19% Einfuhrumsatzsteuer (Import VAT) plus potential customs duties if the value exceeds 150 EUR. Because the Aarke Carbonator Pro is a premium item, it will almost certainly exceed that threshold.

I found it much easier to use a shipping method that allows for DHL international shipping or FedEx international shipping, as these carriers usually handle the customs clearance for you and send you an invoice or collect payment at the door. You might also like to check our guide on how to calculate these fees beforehand so there are no surprises when the delivery truck arrives.

Is the US-exclusive Aarke worth the effort?

After setting it up in my kitchen, the Matte Sand finish looks even better in person than it did in the photos. The way it catches the light during my morning routine makes the extra steps of using a freight forwarder feel completely justified. It’s a conversation starter, and I haven't seen another one like it in any of my friends' homes here in Berlin.

If you are looking to upgrade your home setup for the 2026 holiday season or just want that specific US-exclusive aesthetic, the process is straightforward once you have your US address ready. Just keep an eye on those dimensions and remember that you'll need to source your gas canisters locally!