What happens if I do not declare other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) 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 other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) 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 other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) allowance in Germany?

Yes — 17 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) at all, not a smaller one.

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 other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs)?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs), 11 limit it and 8 let it through. Germany is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) can I bring into Germany?

Allowed

You can bring Other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) into Germany without a special limit.

Extra conditions apply

Carried Allowed

Declaration Not required

Limit No stated quantity

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Channels: Carried with the traveler
Extra conditions apply

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 Other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) in Germany

Do I have to declare other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) at Germany customs?: No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.
What happens if I do not declare other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) 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 other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) 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 other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) allowance in Germany?: Yes — 17 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) at all, not a smaller one.
Can I take other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) out of Germany?: Germany publishes no separate rule for taking other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Germany limit for other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs) 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 other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs)?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit other alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, liqueurs), 11 limit it and 8 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 12% ABV