Do I need to register if I only occasionally ship electronics to Germany?

Yes, as soon as you actively sell electronics in Germany — whether occasionally or regularly — you count as a 'manufacturer' under the ElektroG and need a WEEE registration number. There is no exemption threshold for occasional sales. The ElektroG makes no distinction between 'sometimes' and 'regularly'. If a compliance inspection finds you are unregistered, you face a fine. Some sellers think they are automatically protected through Amazon or eBay — this is not the case. You need a separate registration with the Stiftung EAR, even if you sell only through marketplaces.