Do I have to declare accompanied cash at Germany customs?

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

What happens if I do not declare accompanied cash in Germany?

If the goods are found without being declared, an administrative fine of 1,000,000 EUR is imposed; the case is referred to the responsible authority. If it is treated as smuggling, it is prosecuted as a criminal offence.

Can I post or ship accompanied cash 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 accompanied cash out of Germany?

Yes. Germany publishes no limit on taking accompanied cash out.

Does the Germany limit for accompanied cash 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 Barmittel. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Mitführende, die mit Barmitteln im Gesamtwert von 10.000 Euro oder mehr nach Deutschland einreisen, müssen diesen Betrag beim Zoll anmelden.”

How does Germany compare with other countries on accompanied cash?

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

How much accompanied cash can I bring into Germany?

Official classification: Accompanied cash

Restricted

You can bring accompanied cash into Germany only within the stated limits.

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

Limit 10,000 EUR

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Value cap: 10,000 EUR
Channels: Carried with the traveler
No stated quantity
Value cap: 10,000 EUR
Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

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

If you do not declare

Step 1: Administrative fine, Reported to authority
Step 2: Criminal prosecution

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Barmittel Generalzolldirektion (Zoll)
Zollverwaltungsgesetz (ZollVG) Bundesministerium der Justiz / gesetze-im-internet.de
Zoll online - Barmittelverkehr (Fachthemen) Generalzolldirektion

Questions about Accompanied cash in Germany

How much accompanied cash can I bring into Germany?: Germany allows accompanied cash to be brought in, but it has to be declared once it reaches 10,000 EUR. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare accompanied cash at Germany customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to Germany customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare accompanied cash in Germany?: If the goods are found without being declared, an administrative fine of 1,000,000 EUR is imposed; the case is referred to the responsible authority. If it is treated as smuggling, it is prosecuted as a criminal offence.
Can I post or ship accompanied cash 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 accompanied cash out of Germany?: Yes. Germany publishes no limit on taking accompanied cash out.
Does the Germany limit for accompanied cash 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 Barmittel. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Mitführende, die mit Barmitteln im Gesamtwert von 10.000 Euro oder mehr nach Deutschland einreisen, müssen diesen Betrag beim Zoll anmelden.”
How does Germany compare with other countries on accompanied cash?: Of the 21 countries covered here, 0 prohibit accompanied cash, 21 limit it and 0 let it through. Germany is among the ones that set a limit.

Related items

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) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages up to and including 22% vol

Related countries

Australia Canada China France

Other items in this group

Cash and bearer negotiable instruments (all currencies) Cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments Cross-border movement of monetary instruments (cash and bearer negotiable instruments) Currency and monetary instruments (CAN$10,000 reporting) Currency and monetary instruments over $10,000 Foreign currency cash