Do I have to declare plants and plant products at Germany customs?

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

What happens if I do not declare plants and plant products 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 plants and plant products 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 plants and plant products out of Germany?

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

Does the Germany limit for plants and plant products 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 Trade in plants & plant products from non-EU countries - Food Safety. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “It is prohibited to introduce into the EU territory plants, plant products and other objects in passengers’ personal luggage, unless accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate.”

How does Germany compare with other countries on plants and plant products?

Of the 21 countries covered here, 0 prohibit plants and plant products, 21 limit it and 0 let it through. Germany is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Plants and plant products can I bring into Germany?

Restricted

You can bring Plants and plant products 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

Trade in plants & plant products from non-EU countries - Food Safety European Commission

Questions about Plants and plant products in Germany

Do I have to declare plants and plant products at Germany customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to Germany customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare plants and plant products 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 plants and plant products 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 plants and plant products out of Germany?: Germany publishes no separate rule for taking plants and plant products out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Germany limit for plants and plant products 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 Trade in plants & plant products from non-EU countries - Food Safety. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “It is prohibited to introduce into the EU territory plants, plant products and other objects in passengers’ personal luggage, unless accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate.”
How does Germany compare with other countries on plants and plant products?: Of the 21 countries covered here, 0 prohibit plants and plant products, 21 limit it and 0 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

Agricultural/forestry/fishery/livestock products (general sub-cap) Animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products Cut flowers and wreaths Eggs Fish and other fishery products Food, plant and animal products under agency control