Delivery to your – German neighbour’s – front door

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The view from Gailingen, Germany across the Rhine to the Swiss village of Diessenhofen. Fabian Stamm

Daniela Restle and Matthes Mitgau completed their warehouse this summer. Fabian Stamm

The couple started the business in their living room three years ago. Fabian Stamm

Every day is delivery day. Fabian Stamm

About 85% of the deliveries come from Germany, the rest from other European countries and China. Fabian Stamm

The couple employ three part-time staff and two students help out at the weekend. Fabian Stamm

Small parcels... Fabian Stamm

... and big ones. Fabian Stamm

Storage of a package costs between €2 and €7, depending on the size. Fabian Stamm

Business picks up by up to 25% in the Christmas shopping period. Fabian Stamm

Between 100 and 200 customers come to pick up their packages each day. Fabian Stamm

Fabian Stamm

Many Swiss take advantage of the trip across the border to buy their groceries at discount outlets. Fabian Stamm

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A couple living in Germany just across the Swiss border are the unsuspecting profiteers of the craving of Swiss online shoppers to get a better deal.

The unassuming German village of Gailingen am Hochrhein is home to an unusual business. Although it has few attractions to draw visitors, the place is a magnet for Swiss coming to pick up packages they’ve ordered through German websites.

The packages are stored in the warehouse of Daniela Restle and Matthes Mitgau. A few years ago, the couple came up with a scheme to offer their address to Swiss shoppers searching for goods on German websites, where prices are often cheaper. By having the products delivered within Germany, the buyer can also purchase items that the seller will not send abroad and save on high delivery surcharges.

Custom duties are also only applied on goods worth more than CHF300 ($300) if the purchased items are personally transported across the border. If a delivery service is involved, Swiss customs slaps a tax on goods valued at more than CHF68.

(Pictures and text: Fabian Stamm)