If you might pass through a customs check at the border, it’s better to know the rules than be caught unaware. Ignorance does not protect protect you from punishment if you are caught violating customs rules.
If you are caught with goods that exceed the tax-free value limits in place, then you could be slapped with a hefty duty, or excise tax. If you are caught with goods that you are not allowed to bring into Germany, then harsher punishments could apply.
The tax-free limits in effect may feel a bit arbitrary to travellers. Also there are different limits to what you can bring into Germany from another EU country versus what you can bring into Germany from outside of the EU.
So, for anyone thinking about buying an expensive handbag on their holiday abroad, or wondering exactly how many bottles of Scottish Whisky you can bring in your luggage, here are the limits you should know.
What limits apply within the EU?
Generally goods can be brought freely between EU member states.
Even for stimulants, such as tobacco products and alcohol, which are partially restricted, there are no limits to how much you can bring with you, as long as it's for personal use (not to be sold) and had duty and tax paid in the EU country where you bought it.
However, customs officials may require proof of those taxes paid, if you’re bringing more than the following limits:
- 800 cigarettes
- 1 kilogram of smoking tobacco for hookahs
- 1 litre of liquids for e-cigarettes
- 10 litres of spirits
- 20 litres of alcoholic drinks less than 22 percent alcohol abv, such as sherry and port wine
- 90 litres of wine (including a maximum of 60 litres can be sparkling wine)
- 110 litres of beer
- 10 kilograms of coffee
Note that travellers must be at least 17 years old to carry any amount of tobacco or alcohol over the German border.
Medication for personal use is one exception that is generally always allowed. More information on carrying medications can be found here.
What applies when coming from outside the EU?
If you’re coming from outside the EU, the tax free allowances for the above substances are lower.
There are also limits to the value of other goods that you can bring from outside the EU. These limits also apply if you come from the Canary Islands, the Channel Islands, Gibraltar or other territories where EU rules on VAT do not apply.
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The tax-free limits for tobacco and alcohol from outside the EU are as follows:
- 200 cigarettes
- 100 cigarillos
- 50 cigars
- 250 grams of smoking tobacco
- 1 litre of spirits
- 2 litres of fortified or sparkling wine
- 4 litres of still wine
- 16 litres of beer
For both tobacco and alcohol products, if you bring a mix of the above products the basic limit is adjusted to be proportional. So you could bring two litres of standard wine and eight litres of beer, for example. But not four litres of wine and 16 litres of beer.
Are there limits on souvenirs?
There is also a limit to the value of personal items you can bring tax-free into Germany from beyond the EU, and it differs depending on how you travel to the country.
Travellers coming by air or sea are permitted to bring personal items worth up to €430. Overland travellers are permitted to bring personal items worth up to €300. Lastly, travellers under 15 years of age can bring personal items worth up to €200.
These limits apply per person – they cannot be combined within a group. So a couple cannot bring one €800 handbag together, but they could both fly into the country with a €400 handbag.
What about plant and animal products?
Meat, milk and other dairy products for personal consumption are allowed from EU countries. These products are also allowed from Andorra, Canary Islands, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, as well as Croatia, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Iceland with some exceptions.
Generally meat and milk products are not allowed from other non-EU countries.
There are also strict limits on some plant products – including potatoes, grapevines, citrus plants and grasses – as well as animal furs.
Furry pets are subject to a mandatory health inspection at the first point of entry to the EU, and will need to meet certain requirements regarding microchips and vaccinations. You can find more information here.
What about cash?
Within the EU there are no restrictions on how much currency you can bring with you.
For anyone coming from outside the EU, cash worth more than €10,000 must be declared to the customs authorities.
This monetary limit also applies not only to coins and notes, but also to checks as well as precious items like gold, silver, diamonds, rubies and emeralds.
READ ALSO: 'I store cash at home' - Why Americans in Germany struggle to save for retirement
What’s strictly prohibited?
The following items are not allowed to be brought into Germany in any circumstances:
- Publications or media with content that incites violence, criminality or racial hatred
- Counterfeit or pirated products
- Torture instruments
- The following breeds of dogs: Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Pit Bull Terriers, and Bull Terriers.
- Potatoes, vines, wine leaves, and soil or plant substrate from a non-EU country
- Certain medications such as counterfeit medication and doping substances
What happens if I bring more?
If you exceed the above allowances, you’ll have to pay import duties.
To do this, you need to report to the customs office when entering the country, and the import duties will be calculated there.
Anyone returning to Germany by car or train, for example, can also contact the Federal Police to do so.
The decisive factor for the amount of duties owed is the type and value of the goods, so it’s important to keep receipts for the purchase of valuable travel souvenirs and present it at the customs office.
You can find official information here.
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