I imported my Google Pixel 9a from the US to Germany and saved money despite the import taxes

Why I ignored the German Google Store this year

It is March 2026 and the Google Pixel 9a has finally arrived. For the last few years, I have always just walked into a local electronics store here in Berlin or ordered directly from the German Google Store. But this year, things felt different. The Pixel 9a is a massive upgrade with the Tensor G4 chip and a camera system that honestly makes the flagship Pro models look overpriced.

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In Germany, the retail price was announced at a significantly higher point than the US MSRP. I started reading some threads online and realized that my assumption—that importing from the US is always more expensive due to shipping—was actually wrong. We often assume that once you add up the shipping and the import fees, the savings disappear. I decided to test this theory myself and see if I could get the 2026 mid-ranger for a better price.

The price difference that changed my mind

When the Pixel 9a launched earlier this month, the US store was offering a $499 introductory price along with a $200 trade-in bonus for older models. In Germany, the trade-in values were much lower and the base price was closer to 560 Euro. Even with the current exchange rates in 2026, the gap was wide enough to make me curious.

I also realized that US retailers often bundle the phone with store credit or free Pixel Buds. I wanted those deals, but the Google Store US doesn't ship directly to Europe. That is when I started looking into a package forwarding service to bridge the gap. By using a tax-free US address, I could avoid US sales tax entirely, which already saved me about 8% to 10% depending on which state I compared it to.

How I set up my US shipping address

The process was much simpler than I expected. I signed up for an account with comGateway, which gave me a dedicated address in Oregon. Since Oregon has no sales tax, the price I saw on the US Google Store was exactly what I paid at checkout.

I did run into a small snag because my German credit card was initially flagged by the US store. To solve this, I looked into the BuyForMe service. They basically act as a proxy shopper. They buy the item on your behalf using a US-based payment method, which is a lifesaver if you don't have a US-issued card. Once the purchase went through, the phone was sent to my new Oregon address.

Logistics breakdown for the Pixel 9a

If you are planning to do this, you need to know what to expect when it comes to the box size. I used a shipping calculator to get a rough idea of the costs before I committed. Here is the breakdown of what a standard Google Pixel 9a shipment looks like in 2026:

Shipping estimates and battery rules

One thing I learned is that you need to be careful with a Volumetric Warning. While a phone box is small, if you decide to buy a huge bundle—like a laptop or a large speaker—along with it, the shipping company might charge you based on the box's volume rather than its weight. For just the Pixel 9a, this isn't an issue because it's so compact.

Also, since this phone contains a lithium-ion battery, it has to be shipped according to international dangerous goods regulations. Most major carriers handle this automatically, but it is why you cannot use some of the ultra-cheap, slower mail services. My ship to Germany request was handled via express courier, which is actually safer for electronics anyway.

Dealing with German customs and VAT

This is where most of my friends thought I would lose money. When you bring something into Germany from outside the EU, you generally have to pay the 19% Einfuhrumsatzsteuer (Import VAT). However, for smartphones, there is usually 0% additional customs duty. You are essentially just paying the VAT that you would have paid anyway if you bought it locally—except you are paying it on the lower US price.

I found that even after paying the 19% VAT and the shipping fee, I was still about 90 Euro ahead compared to buying the German retail version. Plus, I had the US-exclusive colorway that wasn't even released in Berlin. The myth that the "Zoll" (customs) makes it impossible is just not true if the initial price gap is large enough.

My final thoughts on the import process

I am really happy with how this turned out. The 2026 Pixel 9a is a beast, and knowing I got a better deal makes the experience even better. If you are sitting in Germany and eyeing a US release, don't let the fear of international shipping hold you back. As long as you use a reliable freight forwarder and calculate your VAT ahead of time, it is a very smooth process.

If you are worried about the paperwork, just remember that the forwarding service usually handles the export declarations for you. You just have to pay the import invoice when it arrives in Germany. For me, the extra week of waiting was well worth the savings and the better trade-in terms I secured at the start of the year.