Do I have to declare meat and dairy at Germany customs?

Yes — it has to be declared to Germany customs on arrival.

What happens if I do not declare meat and dairy 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 meat and dairy 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.

Can I take meat and dairy out of Germany?

Germany publishes no separate rule for taking meat and dairy out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the Germany limit for meat and dairy 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 Einfuhr von tierischen Erzeugnissen im Reiseverkehr. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.

How does Germany compare with other countries on meat and dairy?

Of the 21 countries covered here, 12 prohibit meat and dairy, 8 limit it and 1 let it through. Germany is among the strictest.

Can I bring meat and dairy to Germany?

Official classification: Meat, meat products and dairy products

Restricted

You can bring meat and dairy into Germany only within the stated limits.

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

Limit No stated quantity

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Einfuhr von tierischen Erzeugnissen im Reiseverkehr German Customs (Zoll)

Questions about Meat, meat products and dairy products in Germany

Do I have to declare meat and dairy at Germany customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to Germany customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare meat and dairy 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 meat and dairy 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.
Can I take meat and dairy out of Germany?: Germany publishes no separate rule for taking meat and dairy out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Germany limit for meat and dairy 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 Einfuhr von tierischen Erzeugnissen im Reiseverkehr. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.
How does Germany compare with other countries on meat and dairy?: Of the 21 countries covered here, 12 prohibit meat and dairy, 8 limit it and 1 let it through. Germany is among the strictest.

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Quick facts

Jurisdiction: Germany
Travel mode: Sea

Freshness

Last verified: 2026-09-19
Next review: 2026-12-17

Destination

DE Germany

All Germany rules

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