Do I have to declare Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV at Germany customs?

No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.

What happens if I do not declare Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV in Germany?

If you declare the excess yourself, a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess. The normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under Abgabenordnung, § 375 Absatz 2 Satz 1, if the goods are found without being declared: the goods are confiscated.

Can I post or ship Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV to Germany instead of carrying it?

Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you is outside this allowance.

Is there a minimum age for the Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV allowance in Germany?

Yes — 17 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV at all, not a smaller one.

Can I take Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV out of Germany?

Germany publishes no separate rule for taking Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the Germany limit for Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV apply per person or per family?

Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.

Where does this rule come from?

Generalzolldirektion (German Customs Administration) states it in Travellers’ allowances. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.

How does Germany compare with other countries on Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV, 16 limit it and 3 let it through. Germany is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV can I bring into Germany?

Allowed

You can bring Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV into Germany without a special limit.

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

Declaration Not required

Limit No stated quantity

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Channels: Carried with the traveler

On the plane

Airline differences

Airline	Difference from the baseline
Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA)	Stricter than the standard rule

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Travellers’ allowances German Customs (Zoll)

Questions about Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV in Germany

Do I have to declare Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV at Germany customs?: No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.
What happens if I do not declare Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV in Germany?: If you declare the excess yourself, a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess. The normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under Abgabenordnung, § 375 Absatz 2 Satz 1, if the goods are found without being declared: the goods are confiscated.
Can I post or ship Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV to Germany instead of carrying it?: Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you is outside this allowance.
Is there a minimum age for the Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV allowance in Germany?: Yes — 17 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV at all, not a smaller one.
Can I take Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV out of Germany?: Germany publishes no separate rule for taking Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Germany limit for Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV apply per person or per family?: Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
Where does this rule come from?: Generalzolldirektion (German Customs Administration) states it in Travellers’ allowances. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.
How does Germany compare with other countries on Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV, 16 limit it and 3 let it through. Germany is among the ones that set a limit.

Related items

Accompanied cash Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) Agricultural/forestry/fishery/livestock products (general sub-cap) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over)

Related countries

Australia Canada China France

Other items in this group

Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages up to and including 22% vol Alcoholic beverages (all types) Alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) Alcoholic beverages (standard 760 ml bottle) Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV