Exports of German goods were 1.7% lower in July than in June as a slowing global economy hit demand from the country's main trading partners.
Exports totalled 84.4bn euros($120bn:£67bn) and imports rose to a record 72.6bn euros, official data showed.
As a result, Germany's trade surplus shrank to 11.8bn euros in June.
Exports have traditionally been a bright spot for Germany's economy but a weak US economy is hurting demand for luxury cars and other German goods.
"These are definitely worryingly weak numbers, especially considering that exports fell very sharply, " said Stefan Schilbe, an analyst at HSBC Trinkhaus.
"It's a sign that the global slowdown is slowly but surely making itself felt in Germany."
Europe is at risk of its first recession since the single currency was introduced in 1999.
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