San Marino customs rules & duty-free allowances

Last reviewed July 2, 2026·Official source

San Marino is not in the EU but has a customs union with Italy, meaning you clear customs at your first Schengen entry point (usually an Italian airport or port). There are no border checks between Italy and San Marino, so you must declare any goods over allowances at that entry point. The biggest trap: many travellers assume they can buy duty-free in San Marino, but there are no duty-free shops at the border, and EU allowances apply.

Duty-free allowances

Alcohol
1.0 L
1 L of spirits over 22% ABV, OR 2 L of wine/beer. Must be 18+. Values: spirits over 22% ABV duty-free up to €300 (≈$330); wine/beer duty-free up to €150 (≈$165).
Tobacco
200 cigarettes
or 50 cigars / 250 g
Cash to declare
$10,000
€10,000 (≈$11,000) or equivalent. Declare to Italian customs at entry to the Schengen area using the EU cash declaration form (available at border points or online).
Goods duty-free
$800
€430 (≈$475) for air/sea travellers, €300 (≈$330) for land travellers. Above that, duty at 2.5%–17% depending on item. Personal goods only, not for resale.

Prohibited — banned from import

  • Narcotics and psychotropic substances (except with a medical prescription and permit)
  • Counterfeit goods and pirated items
  • Weapons, including knives with blades over 4 cm, firearms, and ammunition (unless with a special permit)
  • Endangered species products (CITES-listed animals/plants, ivory, tortoiseshell)
  • Pornographic material deemed obscene under Italian law
  • Radioactive materials and hazardous waste

Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration

  • Medications containing controlled substances (require a prescription and a personal declaration)
  • Plants, seeds, and soil (require a phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin)
  • Drones and radio equipment (require Italian civil aviation authority approval)
  • Cash over €10,000 (must be declared to Italian customs)
  • Cultural artifacts and antiques (require an export license from the Italian Ministry of Culture)

Arriving: red vs green channel

No customs controls at the San Marino–Italy border. Clear customs at your first Schengen entry point (e.g., Italian airport or port). Use the red channel if you have goods exceeding allowances or prohibited/restricted items; otherwise use the green channel. No arrival card required for San Marino.

Tax-free shopping & VAT refunds

San Marino does not have a VAT refund scheme for tourists. VAT is not applied; instead, a general import duty (IGR) applies. No tax-free shopping refund available.

Bringing medication

Personal medications for up to 30 days allowed without prescription. For controlled substances (e.g., narcotics, psychotropics), carry a doctor's prescription and a personal declaration. Some common medications like codeine-based painkillers require a medical certificate. Always carry original packaging.

Food, plants & animal products

No restrictions on food, plants, or animal products from within the EU. From outside the EU, most meat, dairy, and plant products are banned unless accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate. Declare all food items at Italian customs.

Rules worth knowing

No border checks with Italy

San Marino has no customs border with Italy. You must clear customs at your first Schengen entry point (e.g., an Italian airport). If you exceed allowances, you must declare there, not in San Marino.

San Marino is not in the EU

Despite using the euro and having an open border with Italy, San Marino is not an EU member. EU duty-free allowances apply because of the customs union with Italy, but VAT refunds and EU import procedures do not apply.

No duty-free shops at entry

There are no duty-free shops at the San Marino border. All duty-free purchases must be made at your Italian entry point (airport, port, or land border) before crossing into San Marino.

Tobacco and alcohol limits are per person

The allowances are per adult traveller (18+). Families cannot combine limits. If you are travelling with children, they do not get their own allowance.

Frequently asked questions

You clear customs at Rimini Airport (the first Schengen entry point). There are no customs checks between Italy and San Marino. Declare any goods exceeding allowances at the airport.
Yes, as long as you declared it at the Italian airport and it is within the EU allowances (1 L spirits or 2 L wine/beer). No additional checks at the San Marino border.
Yes, €10,000 (≈$11,000) or equivalent. You must declare it to Italian customs at your entry point into the Schengen area. There is no separate declaration for San Marino.
San Marino has no visa of its own. It follows Italian/Schengen visa rules. If you need a Schengen visa, it is valid for San Marino as well.
Yes, but you need approval from the Italian civil aviation authority (ENAC) if you plan to fly it in Italy or San Marino. Drones over 250 g must be registered. San Marino has no separate drone rules.
No restrictions on food from within the EU. You can bring any food items from Italy without declaring them. For food from outside the EU, you must declare at Italian customs.
If caught by Italian customs (e.g., at a random check), you may face seizure of goods, a fine of up to 200% of the duty owed, and possible legal action. Always declare at your Italian entry point.

Official source

San Marino Customs Agency (Agenzia delle Dogane di San Marino)

For guidance only. Customs allowances and prohibited-item lists change without notice — always confirm with San Marino Customs Agency (Agenzia delle Dogane di San Marino) before travelling.