Services
More than just sales:
The all-round carefree package from Carstensen
Providing quality products meeting to the individual need of the customer with perfect logistics service is the core of our trading business. Carstensen customers benefit from a professional all-inclusive service portfolio that caters to all needs:
Product development
Our many years of experience, in-depth market knowledge and international trend monitoring guarantee you the best possible product range.
Sourcing
We know the right manufacturers for each product. Our long-standing supplier relationships open up a worldwide range of products for your product portfolio.
Design
Carstensen has its own creative product and packaging design teams in Germany and abroad. This means that you do not need external agencies and save production time and costs.
Finance
We offer European payment terms. Carstensen customers do not incur additional costs for customs clearance, transport and foreign currency handling.
Safety & Compliance
We carry out regular checks to ensure compliance with European and country-specific regulations (e.g. EN71, REACH, EUTR, RoHs), meet customer-specific requirements and check for violations of intellectual property rights and copyrights as standard.
Ethical values
We also maintain high standards when it comes to the ethical aspects of the value and supply chains: We do not tolerate corruption, child labour, discrimination and violations of labour protection laws in accordance with internationally recognised conventions, guidelines and recommendations (ILO, OECD, UN).
Brand distribution
Thanks to our network, handling expertise and good reputation with major trading partners, many well-known brands have granted us exclusive distribution rights for the mass retail market.
Start-Up consulting
Our AXXS division acts as a consultant to young start-ups. The team knows exactly what young companies need and offers individually tailored services.
Products
We don’t do “can’t do”:
We provide you with the best possible product
Whether you need help sourcing products, are looking for unusual promotional items or want to create a complete product range – our experts will get your project to the finish line. Thanks to our wide pool of suppliers and our extensive market experience, we can supply you with products from many different sectors, including direct imports and custom-made products:
Stationery
Our traditional range – everything for desk, school and office as well as arts and crafts supplies
Toys
From the dummy chain to the magic kit to the racetrack – we offer a huge selection of toys for babies, kids and teens
Leisure & Hobby
Scooters, bicycles, inline skates, tents, climbing equipment – we have everything you need to keep fit and have fun
Textiles
From innovative functional clothing to trendy fashion items from the latest collections – many of our textiles are made from sustainable and certified materials
Luggage
High-quality suitcases, travel bags and travel accessories from selected partners, made of first-grade materials, perfectly finished and always top quality
Pet supplies
High quality non-food pet products – for travel and home, for pet care and pet safety, for playing and pampering
Interiors
Accessories for the nursery, children’s desks from the renowned KETTLER brand and infrared heaters from marmony – for ergonomic working and a pleasant indoor climate
Garden
A large selection of decorative items and accessories – from planters and watering cans to garden gnomes and birdhouses to solar lamps and pond fountains
Promotional items
Impactful customer gifts and give-aways for home, office and leisure – so that you are remembered in the best possible light
Certifications
The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes (PEFC) is an institution that ensures and markets sustainable forest management using an independent certification system. Wood and wood products with the PEFC logo originate from ecologically, economically and socially sustainable forestry management
FSC® means “Forest Stewardship Council®”. It is an international certification system for more sustainable forest management. Wood with the FSC logo comes from forests that are managed more responsibly. FSC-certified forests and plantations comply with stricter environmental and social standards
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is a global standard for the processing of textiles made from organically produced natural fibres, making it an important textile seal. It specifies environmental requirements along the entire textile production chain as well as social criteria. Independent certification of the entire textile supply chain ensures quality assurance.
The Global Recycled Standard label identifies products which contain at least 20% recycled materials. The GRS is an international, voluntary and fully fledged product standard. Companies that label their products with the GRS logo must comply with certain social requirements and environmental management guidelines.
STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® is one of the world’s best-known labels for textiles tested for harmful substances. All components of an item awarded the label have been tested for harmful substances, which means the item is not harmful to health.
Our sister companies STYLEX and FELIDAE have already been offering climate-neutral products and entire product ranges for some time in cooperation with ClimatePartner. This means that we are very familiar with the necessary processes and procedures and are able to offer climate-neutral private label products.
The Green Button is a government-run certification label for sustainably manufactured textiles. lt sets out mandatory requirements to protect people and the environment in the textile production process. A total of 46 stringent social and environmental standards must be met. Independent auditors review compliance with the criteria.
The company
From the product idea to your warehouse:
Full product and import service for non-food products
As an importer and distributor, we have been supplying our customers with top quality non-food items for 30 years. We know the suppliers, the markets and the trends and can offer tailored solutions for maximum sales success.
Our medium-sized company was founded in 1991 by Sönke Carstensen, who still runs it today together with our managing directors Martin Pancke and Marco Wöbke. A wide range of products, reliable quality, responsible manufacturing and efficient logistics have made us the partner of choice of the brand and retail industry for many years.
Our affiliation with the international Eurasia-Statinvest group of companies creates valuable additional synergies in the market. Our customers benefit from the trustworthiness and flexibility of an owner-managed company with Hanseatic roots combined with the clout of a global player:
You benefit from a huge product selection, highly competitive prices, top delivery reliability and professional service.
The Carstensen guarantee for your success
Innovative quality products
We offer high quality goods from sustainable production. We continuously monitor the market. This allows us to spot trends early and develop high-turnover products that delight your customers – for your permanent range as well as your sales promotions.
Comprehensive services
You benefit from full-service solutions tailored to your procurement and logistics needs: from product development and packaging design through production and quality control to on-time delivery to your doorstep.
Established partners
We work with a wide pool of trusted suppliers. We source materials from across the globe, with production primarily taking place in Europe and Asia. Long-standing relationships based on fairness and respect means our customers benefit from continuity of service and delivery reliability.
A motivated team
We have around 200 employees around the world who are experts in their fields and know the industry. They provide your company with competent advice and are committed to meeting your product needs with reliability and flexibility.
Sönke Carstensen
Founder
Martin Pancke
Managing Director
Marco Wöbke
Managing Director
Locations
From Hamburg to the Far East:
Our teams work for you around the globe
We are present at key points in the production and import chain. Our head office is located in Ellerau near Hamburg, and we have additional partner offices in Shanghai, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Jakarta, as well as in Sydney.
We have an efficient worldwide network with our own employees that guarantees efficient order management, quality assurance in line with European standards and compliance with delivery deadlines.
CSR
Climate protection and social justice: We take social responsibility seriously
Fair and sustainable consumption is increasingly important to people. And it is an integral part of Carstensen’s corporate culture: We are guided in our daily work by the careful use of natural resources, the reduction of the CO2 footprint of our company and each individual employee, fair working conditions and social responsibility.
In our Code of Conduct, we define the values and principles that Carstensen Import-Export Handelsgesellschaft mbH, its business partners and their supply chains are committed to implementing.
Our commitment to respecting human rights in our supply chain is also reflected in the Eurasia Policy Statement and grievance mechanism, which is applicable for the whole group.
Career
Training & Career: A great team looking for great people!
Do you believe you can add value to our company? We welcome unsolicited applications. Impress us with your skills! Send your application to bewerbung(at)carstensen.de.