Luxembourg customs rules & duty-free allowances
Luxembourg is in the EU customs union, so duty-free allowances only apply when entering from outside the EU. The biggest trap in 2026 is the mandatory cash declaration: €10,000 or more must be declared, with seizure and fines up to €500,000 for non-compliance. Land travellers from non-EU countries (e.g., Switzerland) face a lower goods allowance of €300.
Duty-free allowances
Prohibited — banned from import
- Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (including cannabis, even for medical use without a permit)
- Counterfeit goods (fake branded items, pirated software)
- Endangered species products (ivory, tortoiseshell, caviar without CITES permit)
- Firearms, ammunition, and explosives without a Luxembourg police permit
- Obscene or pornographic material (including child sexual abuse material)
- Certain plants and seeds from outside the EU without a phytosanitary certificate
Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration
- Cash and monetary instruments over €10,000 (must declare)
- Medications containing controlled substances (require prior permit from Ministry of Health)
- Pets (dogs, cats, ferrets) – require EU pet passport, rabies vaccination, and microchip
- Cultural goods (antiques, artworks) – may need an export license from the Luxembourg Ministry of Culture
- Drones over 250g – must be registered with the Luxembourg Civil Aviation Authority and follow EU drone rules
Arriving: red vs green channel
After collecting luggage, follow signs: green channel if you have nothing to declare (goods under allowance, no restricted items, no cash to declare); red channel if you have goods to declare, cash over €10,000, or restricted items. No arrival card; just walk through the appropriate channel. Customs officers may stop you for checks regardless.
Tax-free shopping & VAT refunds
Yes, Luxembourg offers VAT refunds for non-EU residents. Minimum purchase per invoice is €74. The scheme is 'Tax Free Shopping' (operated by Global Blue or Planet). At Luxembourg Airport, go to the customs desk before check-in to get forms stamped, then claim at the refund counter or mail the forms.
Bringing medication
Personal medications for up to 3 months allowed without prescription, but carry a doctor's prescription or medical certificate. Controlled substances (e.g., strong painkillers, ADHD meds) require a prior import permit from the Luxembourg Ministry of Health. Codeine-based painkillers are controlled here.
Food, plants & animal products
From non-EU countries, most meat, dairy, and plant products are banned unless accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate. Small quantities of fruit, vegetables, and processed foods for personal use (up to 2 kg total) allowed if declared. No raw meat or honey from outside the EU.
Rules worth knowing
EU vs non-EU rules are completely different
If you arrive from another EU country, there are no duty-free limits — you can bring any amount of alcohol, tobacco, or goods for personal use. The allowances above only apply when entering from outside the EU.
Cash declaration is mandatory and strict
Any person entering or leaving Luxembourg with €10,000 or more in cash (or equivalent in other currencies, cheques, money orders) must declare it using the EU cash declaration form. This includes travellers in transit who pass through customs. Failure to declare can lead to seizure of the cash and a fine of up to €500,000.
Lower goods allowance for land travellers from non-EU
If you enter Luxembourg by car or train from a non-EU country (e.g., Switzerland), the duty-free goods allowance is €300 (approx. $325 USD), not €430.
Tobacco allowance is per person, not per family
The 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco allowance is per individual traveller. You cannot pool allowances within a family group. Each adult must carry their own allowance.