Sommer Cable to Close U.S. Unit, Shift to Germany
U.S. buyers of Sommer Cable products will order directly from Germany and handle customs after the subsidiary closes.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in International Trade
Sommer Cable, based in Straubenhardt, Germany, will close its U.S. subsidiary, Sommer Cable America, at the end of 2026 and move to direct sales handled entirely from Germany. U.S. customers should note the U.S. office will keep taking orders until that date.
Why it matters
The company attributes the closure to changes in international trade and import policies, shifting its U.S. sales model from a local subsidiary to cross-border ordering. For businesses that buy cable products from German suppliers, the change moves customs and shipping responsibilities into the purchasing process.
The change takes effect at the end of 2026, with the U.S. office continuing to take orders until then. Every order will be priced in EUR under a single price list regardless of quantity, and customers receive confirmations that include shipping costs and customs duties.
The players
Sommer Cable
A German cable manufacturer based in Straubenhardt that sells its products internationally through a webshop and direct sales.
Sommer Cable America
The U.S. subsidiary of Sommer Cable that serves American customers and is set to close at the end of 2026.
The details
Customers will place orders through Sommer's European webshop or by email, and the company's team will support them through the ordering and import process, including customs clearance. Shipments will be handled directly from Germany using DSV or UPS, or customers can arrange collection through their own freight company or UPS account. A call-back service will arrange calls matching the customer's time zone.
Timeline
Now: Customers can contact the U.S. support team in Germany.
End of 2026: Sommer Cable America closes and the U.S. office stops taking orders.
Market Landscape
Sommer Cable's decision to close its U.S. subsidiary and serve American customers directly from Germany reflects a pattern in which companies reassess local operations as trade and import conditions change. The move places the burden of customs and freight coordination on cross-border ordering rather than a domestic subsidiary.
U.S. buyers of Sommer Cable products should plan for customs clearance, duties, and freight arrangements to be handled through direct ordering from Germany after the subsidiary closes. Operators should review how their procurement and import processes will change once the local U.S. office stops taking orders at the end of 2026.
The takeaway
Operators who buy from Sommer Cable should calendar the end of 2026 and begin reviewing customs, shipping, and invoicing in EUR well before the U.S. office closes. Confirm current freight and duty arrangements with the company's support team and with qualified customs or trade counsel where needed.
Further reading
For broader context on how cross-border sales and import rules shape supplier decisions, see International Trade.
Source note: This article includes information reported by FOH | Front of House Magazine.
