Austria customs rules & duty-free allowances
Austria's biggest customs trap is the cash declaration threshold: €10,000 (not $10,000 USD). Also, if arriving by land from a non-EU country like Switzerland, your duty-free goods allowance drops to €300. Always use the red channel if unsure.
Duty-free allowances
Prohibited — banned from import
- Narcotics and psychotropic substances (including cannabis, even for medical use without a permit)
- Counterfeit goods (fake designer items, pirated software)
- Weapons (firearms, knives over 12cm blade, pepper spray) without a permit
- Endangered species products (ivory, rhino horn, certain furs) without CITES permit
- Pornographic material depicting minors
- Meat and dairy products from non-EU countries (except small amounts for personal use from certain countries)
Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration
- Medications containing controlled substances (e.g., codeine, morphine, amphetamines) — require a prescription and a medical certificate
- Firearms and ammunition — require a permit from the Austrian Ministry of Interior
- Plants, seeds, and soil — require a phytosanitary certificate
- Cash or equivalent over €10,000 — must be declared
- Drones over 250g — require registration and insurance in Austria
Arriving: red vs green channel
After collecting luggage, follow the green channel if you have nothing to declare (goods within allowance, no prohibited/restricted items). Use the red channel if you have goods to declare, cash over €10,000, or restricted items. No arrival card—just walk through. Customs officers may conduct random checks.
Tax-free shopping & VAT refunds
Yes, for non-EU residents. Minimum purchase per receipt is €75.01 (approx. $82 USD). Look for the 'Tax Free' logo, get the form stamped at the Zollamt (customs office) at the airport before check-in, then claim refund at a counter like Global Blue or Planet Payment.
Bringing medication
Personal medications allowed for up to 30 days' supply without prescription. Controlled substances (e.g., codeine, morphine, amphetamines) require a doctor's prescription and a medical certificate in German or English. Codeine-based painkillers are controlled—carry a prescription.
Food, plants & animal products
No meat, dairy, or animal products from outside the EU. Fruits, vegetables, plants, and seeds banned unless you have a phytosanitary certificate. Small quantities of baby food or special dietary food allowed if declared.
Rules worth knowing
EU vs non-EU rules
If arriving from another EU country, you can bring unlimited alcohol and tobacco for personal use (no duty-free limits). If arriving from outside the EU, the strict limits above apply.
Land arrivals from non-EU have lower goods allowance
If entering Austria by car or train from a non-EU country (e.g., Switzerland), your goods allowance is €300 (approx. $327 USD), not €430.
Tobacco mixing rule
You cannot bring 200 cigarettes AND 50 cigars—choose one or mix proportionally. For example, 100 cigarettes + 25 cigars is allowed (half of each limit).