Germany customs rules & duty-free allowances

Last reviewed October 1, 2026·Official source

Germany enforces EU customs rules with typical German thoroughness, and the biggest risk for travellers is the €10,000 cash declaration requirement — it applies to cash, cheques, and easily convertible assets, and customs can fine you on the spot if you fail to declare. Also, if you're connecting through another EU country before reaching Germany, your duty-free allowance is calculated on the total value of goods you're carrying, not just what you bought in Germany. The rules below apply to non-resident adults arriving from outside the EU; if you're an EU resident, different thresholds apply.

Duty-free allowances

Alcohol

1.0 L

1 litre of spirits over 22% ABV, OR 2 litres of intermediate products (e.g. port, sherry) up to 22% ABV, OR 4 litres of still wine, OR 16 litres of beer. You must be 17 or older. The €430 goods allowance can be used to cover alcohol above these limits, but only up to that value.

Tobacco

200 cigarettes

or 50 cigars / 250 g

Cash to declare

$10,000

€10,000 or more (about USD 10,800) in cash, cheques, or easily convertible assets (e.g. gold coins, bearer bonds) must be declared. Use the EU Cash Declaration Form, available at the red channel or from customs officers. If you're travelling within the EU, you must also declare if you're carrying €10,000 or more when entering or leaving the EU.

Goods duty-free

$800

The duty-free allowance for personal goods (including gifts) is €430 (about USD 465) per person. Above that, you pay a flat 17.5% duty on the value exceeding €430, up to €700. Above €700, normal duty rates apply (typically 2.5–12% plus import VAT of 19% or 7% for some goods).

Prohibited — banned from import

Narcotics and drugs (including cannabis, even if legal in your home country)
Counterfeit goods (branded items that infringe trademarks)
Meat and dairy products from non-EU countries (except limited exceptions)
Plants and seeds without a phytosanitary certificate
Endangered species and products made from them (CITES-listed items, e.g. ivory, certain corals)
Weapons and ammunition without a valid permit

Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration

Firearms and ammunition (require a permit from the German weapons authority)
Medicines containing controlled substances (need a doctor's letter and may require prior authorisation)
Drones (must be registered and insured; some areas are no-fly zones)
Satellite phones and encrypted communication devices (may require a licence)
Cultural goods (artefacts over 50 years old may need an export licence from the country of origin)

Arriving: red vs green channel

At German airports, you'll see two channels: green for nothing to declare (within allowances) and red for goods to declare or if you're unsure. There is no general customs declaration card for all passengers; you only fill out a declaration if you're selected for inspection or if you proactively go to the red channel. If you have nothing to declare, just walk through the green channel — but be aware that customs officers can and do stop people randomly.

Tax-free shopping & VAT refunds

Non-EU residents can claim a VAT refund on purchases of €50.01 or more from a single store in one day. The scheme is called 'Ausfuhr- und Abnehmervergütung' (export refund). At the airport, before checking in, go to the customs office to get your receipt stamped, then claim the refund from the refund operator (e.g. Global Blue) at a counter after security. You must show the goods, receipt, and your passport.

Bringing medication

You can bring personal medications for your own use, typically up to a 3-month supply. Prescription medicines should be accompanied by a doctor's letter or copy of the prescription. Germany has strict rules on narcotics and psychotropic substances — some common medications (e.g. certain strong painkillers, ADHD stimulants, or sedatives) may be controlled. Check with the German Federal Opium Agency (Bundesopiumstelle) if your medication contains controlled substances. Never bring more than a 30-day supply of a controlled substance without prior authorisation.

Food, plants & animal products

You cannot bring meat, milk, or dairy products from non-EU countries (with limited exceptions for certain low-risk products like powdered infant formula). Plants, seeds, and fresh fruit/vegetables are generally prohibited unless accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate. Fish and fishery products are allowed up to 20 kg per person. Honey, eggs, and other animal products are restricted. Always declare any food or plant items — failure to do so can result in fines.

Rules worth knowing

Cash declaration is not just for cash

The €10,000 threshold applies to cash, cheques, and easily convertible assets like gold coins or bearer bonds. If you're carrying a mix, add up the total value. Customs can fine you up to €1 million for non-declaration, though typically it's a percentage of the undeclared amount.

Connecting flights within the EU

If you fly into another EU country first and then take a domestic flight to Germany, you clear customs at your first EU entry point. Your duty-free allowance is based on the total value of goods you're bringing into the EU, not just what you bought in Germany. Keep receipts handy.

Gifts and personal goods: the €430 allowance

The €430 allowance is per person, not per family. If you're travelling with family, each person gets their own allowance, but you cannot pool them to cover a single expensive item. For example, a €600 handbag would exceed one person's allowance, and you'd pay duty on the excess.

Tobacco and alcohol age limits

You must be at least 17 to bring in tobacco or alcohol duty-free. If you're under 17, these allowances do not apply, and you'll pay duty on any tobacco or alcohol you bring in.

Frequently asked questions

You clear customs at your first point of entry into the EU, which is Frankfurt. After clearing customs there, your flight to Berlin is a domestic flight, so you won't go through customs again. Make sure you declare any goods at Frankfurt.

Yes, for personal use, typically up to a 3-month supply. Bring a copy of your prescription or a doctor's letter. If your medication contains controlled substances (e.g. opioids, benzodiazepines, or stimulants), you may need prior authorisation from the German Federal Opium Agency. Check before you travel.

You'll pay a flat 17.5% duty on the value between €430 and €700. Above €700, normal duty rates apply (typically 2.5–12% plus 19% import VAT). You must declare the goods at the red channel and pay the duty on the spot.

Yes, if you're carrying €10,000 or more, you must declare it. The threshold is inclusive, so exactly €10,000 triggers the requirement. Use the EU Cash Declaration Form at the red channel.

No, meat and dairy products from non-EU countries are generally prohibited. This includes cheese, sausages, and ham. There are limited exceptions for certain low-risk products like powdered infant formula, but you should declare any food items. Failure to declare can result in fines and confiscation.

You must spend at least €50.01 in a single store on one day. Ask the retailer for a VAT refund form. At the airport, before checking in, go to the customs office to get the form stamped (you may need to show the goods). Then claim your refund from the refund operator (e.g. Global Blue) at a counter after security.

The duty-free allowance is for personal use. If you're bringing alcohol as a gift, it still counts towards your allowance. If you exceed the allowance, you must declare it and pay duty. There's no separate gift allowance beyond the €430 goods allowance.

Official source

German Customs (Generalzolldirektion)