Country Guide

Germany customs import limits

Official duty-free allowances for alcohol, tobacco, cash, medicines, and other goods when entering Germany. See what you can bring before you fly.

Tobacco allowance

These are the official duty-free tobacco limits for adult travelers entering Germany from outside the EU.

Category Tobacco
Adult travelers only (18+) Non-EU arrivals
Cigarettes 200 cigarettes per adult
Duty-free limit
Cigars 50 cigars
Duty-free limit
Cigarillos 100 cigarillos
Duty-free limit
Smoking tobacco 250 g
Duty-free limit
Proportional rule applies — combined limits if you carry more than one type

More Germany customs limits

Exact thresholds for all categories are available in the app. Download CustomsLimit to check your full trip before you fly.

Spirits (over 22% alcohol) ••• liters
Duty-free limit
Spirits & liqueurs (up to 22%) ••• liters
Duty-free limit
Still wine ••• liters
Duty-free limit
Beer ••• liters
Duty-free limit
Cash (EUR or equivalent) Declaration from ••• EUR
Declaration required
Medicines (uncontrolled / OTC) Personal use only — conditions apply
Restricted
Controlled substances / narcotics Authorization required
Restricted
Meat, dairy & animal products Non-EU arrivals — see app
Prohibited
General food items ••• kg limit (non-EU)
Duty-free limit
Live plants & plant products Phytosanitary cert. may apply
Restricted
Cultural artifacts & antiques Authorization may be required
Restricted

Exact limits, declaration thresholds, age restrictions, and combined rules for all categories are available free in the CustomsLimit app for Germany and 59 other countries.

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Know before you go

Surprising restriction for Germany

Carrying EUR 10,000 or more in cash — or the equivalent in any foreign currency — into or out of Germany without declaring it at customs can result in immediate confiscation and serious criminal penalties. This applies to banknotes, traveler's cheques, and bearer bonds combined. Many travelers are unaware this threshold includes all currencies added together, not just euros.

The CustomsLimit app shows the exact declaration threshold and what counts toward the limit for Germany before you travel.

About Germany customs (Zoll)

Germany's customs authority is the Bundeszollverwaltung (Federal Customs Administration). Travelers arriving from outside the European Union are subject to standard EU import allowances. EU residents traveling within the Schengen Area are generally not subject to duty-free limits on personal goods, though prohibited items still apply.

For authoritative and up-to-date information, refer to the official Bundeszollverwaltung website or use the CustomsLimit app, which reflects the current EU import allowance framework for Germany.

Germany customs — frequently asked questions

How many cigarettes can I bring into Germany?
Adult travelers (18+) arriving from outside the EU may bring 200 cigarettes duty-free. If you carry more than one type of tobacco product, a proportional combined rule applies — for example, 100 cigarettes plus 25 cigars counts as one full allowance. Tobacco is not permitted for travelers under 18.
What is the duty-free alcohol allowance for Germany?
Germany follows standard EU duty-free alcohol limits for non-EU arrivals. The exact amounts depend on the type of alcohol (spirits, wine, beer) and whether you combine categories. The CustomsLimit app shows the full breakdown with combined limit rules for Germany.
Do I need to declare cash when entering Germany?
Yes. EU rules require travelers arriving from outside the EU to declare cash or equivalent of 10,000 EUR or more. This includes banknotes, traveler's cheques, and certain bearer bonds. Failure to declare can result in confiscation and penalties. The CustomsLimit app shows this threshold and related declaration rules for Germany.

Check all Germany limits free in the app

CustomsLimit covers Germany and 59 other countries with exact thresholds, combined limits, age restrictions, and declaration rules. Free to download.

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