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Import regulations Germany

Table of Contents | import regulations

Which import regulations apply to Germany?

On the bazaars or in the streets of the tourist centers romp the many sellers who want to bring souvenirs, traditional craftsmanship and much more among the tourists. But not only here, actually in every corner of the travel country you will find things that you would like to buy and take to Germany.

The fact that certain things are to be acquired legally in the holiday country does not automatically mean that the German import regulations allow the import of these goods. For example, special care should be taken with products made from animals or plants. These can be subject to the law on the protection of species and not only cause trouble with the customs when entering Germany.

The following goods are subject to special restrictions:

  • Fireworks
  • Torture
  • Dangerous dogs
  • Youth-endangering media and writings
  • Unconstitutional writings
  • rough diamonds
  • drugs
  • foods
  • feed
  • animals
  • animal products
  • plants
  • plant products
  • weapons
  • ammunition

If one considers the acquisition of the enumerated goods or if the goods can be assigned to one of these categories, one should inquire in advance at the German customs about the import regulations. Are there any restrictions or is there a strict ban on imports? Information on this can be found directly on the website of Customs. The link is provided below.

Tax Free – tax free shopping

What many do not know when they go on holiday in a non-EU country is the fact that the taxes paid on their purchase can be refunded. At the entrance of many shops you will find a sign on the “Tax Free” stands. Here it is possible to get back taxes on departure at the tax return counters via the tax-free form.

First, however, the full purchase price must be paid. On demand in the shop you get the tax-free form.

Some shops fill out the forms only when a minimum amount has been purchased from their store. In case of uncertainties you should ask at the cash register. For simplicity’s sake, the procedure for getting back the taxes on departure is briefly listed below:

  • Ask at checkout for Tax Free and get the form
  • Do not remove goods from labels, as this may have to be presented at the tax return desk
  • Fill in the tax return form
  • Should the purchased things with the suitcase be abandoned? In this case, the tax return button must be visited BEFORE the check-in
  • Are the purchased items transported in your hand luggage, The tax return counter can also be found after check in. This is located in the Duty Free area
  • After the presentation of the ID, the completed form and the purchased goods, the payment is made in local currency, foreign currency or as a credit to the credit card
  • Note, however, that at the time of payment, especially if the taxes are repaid in foreign currency, a fee will be charged. In Australia or the US, for example, this fee is 30%.

Duty Free – tax free at the airport

Travelers leaving non-EU countries can shop in one of the many duty free shops.

After check-in and security checks there is still plenty of time left to look around the Duty Free Shop. Tempting offers are waiting for the departing tourists and it can quite a bargain or other make. Especially popular are cigarettes, alcohol or perfume, because these are often cheaper in the duty free shop of the travel destination than in the home country.

If you have no time left before departure, you often have the opportunity to buy Duty Free offers on the plane. The choice is of course more limited than at the airport and also in the price offers there are the one or the other deviation. But you will also get cigarettes, alcohol and perfume here. As attractive as the offers are cheap, there are some things to keep in mind so that you do not get in trouble when entering Germany and customs.

Travel allowances on entry from non-EU countries

The travel allowances for entry from a non-EU country or special tax areas such as the Canary Islands and the island of Heligoland are subject to a restriction. Within this restriction, the goods are duty-free and do not have to be registered with the German customs.

Travel allowance per person

tobacco

200 cigarettes or
100 cigarillos or
50 cigars or
250 grams of smoking tobacco

*A proportionate compilation is also possible

Alcohol and alcoholic beverages

Alcohol content of more than 22%: 1 liter
Alcohol content not exceeding 22%: 2 liters
4 liters of non-foaming wines
16 liters of beer

*A proportionate compilation is also possible

When importing tobacco and alcohol or alcoholic beverages, the traveler must be at least 17 years old. Medicines may be imported for personal use in an appropriate amount. Please note that there are restrictions for this. Detailed information can be found on the customs side.

Other goods, including, for example, souvenirs, clothes or shoes fall, a free amount of 300 Euro per person value given. Travelers of air and sea travel may import up to 430 Euro value of goods per person tax-free.

With travelers under 15 years is the Freemenge of the commodity value however only with 175 euro per person, No matter which way you enter Germany. Further helpful information on travel allowance can be found on the page of the German Customs. The link is provided below for you. For smartphone owners, the app of the German Customs is recommended. After entering the travel destination you will quickly and easily get the information on which goods may be imported duty-free up to what amount. The regular updates ensure that they are always up-to-date so that the import regulations can always be adhered to easily.

Travel allowances on entry from EU countries

In principle, when entering Germany from a country of the European Union, all goods are tax-free for personal use, regardless of the amount. However, there is a standard for tobacco, alcohol and coffee so that no commercial benefit can be assumed. The value limits for these stimulants per person can be taken from the following table:

Travel allowance per person

tobacco

800 cigarettes
400 cigarillos
200 cigars
1 kg of smoking tobacco

alcohol

10 liters of spirits
10 liters of alcoholic sweet drinks
20 liters of intermediate alcoholic products
60 liters of sparkling wines
110 liters of beer

coffee

Reisefreimenge exceeded – What now?

What should be done if the travel allowance has been exceeded?? The above-listed allowances are only possible per person for personal use. Everything about it, must be registered with customs. For this one does not pass the green, but the red output at the customs. At the customs officer, you report the amount that is to be imported. The official calculates the taxes payable for goods above the exemption limit.

After paying the taxes, you get a punch. This should be kept at home until arrival, because civil customs controls outside the airport, train station or on the highway are not uncommon. Anyone who, despite the knowledge that the imported goods are above the exemption limit, simply passes the green exit and comes under control, not only pays the taxes due and one penalty, but in the worst case also gets one tax proceedings attached.

Import regulations for cash

A special point of the import regulations when entering Germany is cash. It does not matter whether you are traveling from another EU country or from a non-EU country. The only factor is the amount of cash brought. Is the amount of cash, as well as equivalent means of payment over 10,000 euros, This must be displayed when entering Germany, but also when leaving Germany, at the German Customs.

On the website of the German customs one can download the form, which one needs with the entrance or exit required and in advance. If there are any points on the form that are unclear, a request directly from the authorities is helpful or you can get more information on the page of the German Customs.

Before entering or leaving Germany, ie before passing the passport control, you have to visit the Customs control unit with the completed form and hand it over there. Here a copy of the ID card is made, the form stamped and you get a copy back. This duty of disclosure exists only to prevent illegal movements of money, but does not restrict the free movement of capital in any way.

Keep the carbon copy well so that you can show it in case of a later check to prove that all funds in excess of $ 10,000 have been properly displayed. It must be pointed out to anyone who does not comply with this obligation to report, commits an administrative offense which can be punished accordingly.

In case of uncertainty about the import regulations of special goods, customs will help

Central customs information

Monday to Friday: 08:00 – 17:00

Phone: 0351 44834 510

Fax: 0351 – 44834 590

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