Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden
Important information about customs control when entering the country:
If you are arriving from a country that is a member state of the EU (with the exception of special excise tax areas), you generally do not need to complete any customs formalities.
Please note that in order to comply with national prohibitions and restrictions (e.g. narcotics, weapons) and to monitor cross-border traffic in cash and equivalent means of payment, your luggage may nevertheless be checked.
- Use the green exit for goods exempt from declaration: If you are entering from a European Union (EU) member state or are not carrying more than the permitted allowances, use the green exit at customs inspection.
- For goods subject to declaration, use the red exit: If you are carrying more than the permitted free quantities or goods intended for trade or commercial use (regardless of their value), you must always declare them. This also applies to goods that are prohibited and subject to restrictions.
These include, for example, narcotics, weapons, ammunition, animals and plants protected by law, as well as parts thereof or goods made from them. More information on importing goods (external link).
If you are traveling with any of the following goods, please note the special Carnet ATA procedure of the German customs:
- Trade fair and exhibition goods
- Professional equipment
- Sample goods
- Goods for scientific and cultural purposes
- Goods for sporting events
More information can be found on the homepage of the German customs (external link).
These countries are members of the European Union
Cash controls
Cash controls are carried out at borders with EU member states and at the external borders of the European Union to ensure that money from dishonest transactions or criminal acts cannot be imported unhindered.
More Information on the obligation to declare cash and equivalent means of payment when traveling within the European Union can be found here (external link)
Information about the obligation to declare cash when traveling to non-EU member states you can find here (external link)
Information on legal allowances
It is allowed to import travel souvenirs duty-free, but only for personal use or consumption, for the household or as a gift. Certain quantities and values may not be exceeded. In addition, there are other rules that even experienced travelers should be aware of. You can find more information here (external link)
Pharmaceuticals
The amount corresponding to the personal needs of the traveler.
Three EU special cases (Canary Islands, French Overseas Departments, British Channel Islands)
Goods from these territories fall under a special regulation. This territory belongs to the customs territory of the European Union (EU), but not to the tax territory with regard to excise duty and value added tax. You may only import goods from these territories duty-free within the specified quantity and value limits.
This also applies to goods from duty-free stores in the EU or to goods acquired on board an aircraft operating within the EU without paying tax or with relief from tax.
Property tip
If you are taking a high-quality device with you on your trip, you can ensure a smooth entry even before departure. Customs will issue a free export confirmation for this purpose, which proves on the return journey that this device was not purchased abroad and therefore does not have to be cleared through customs. Contact the customs counter at the airport before your departure.
Species & Plant Protection
The protection of species and plants regulates which endangered animals and plants may not be carried.
Species protection
Ensuring the survival of many animals threatened with extinction requires strict, worldwide regulations. The Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora therefore stipulates exactly which endangered and therefore species-protected animals may not be brought into the country. As a rule, importation is completely prohibited or only possible under certain conditions. Violations are strictly prosecuted, usually with severe penalties. For more information, click here (external link)
Plant protection
It is also prohibited to import certain plants, plant products from non-EU countries into the EU. The reason for the restrictions is that a wide variety of harmful organisms or diseases can be introduced with this material. Certain organisms can cause enormous damage to the flora in the country to which they have been introduced. For more information, click here (external link) or watch this video (external link).
Product Piracy & Plagiarism
If your souvenir is an imitation or counterfeit product that you are importing into Germany in your personal luggage and purely for your own use, the customs authorities will not intervene in accordance with the provisions of industrial property law.
However, if the goods are used for the company's own or another's business purpose, the customs authority intervenes with the provisions of industrial property law, irrespective of the import duty exemption (quantity and value limits).
The only exception is luggage sent by mail or courier service, which is subject to the regulations for postal consignments.
For more information, please visit the Customs homepage (external link).