What happens if I do not declare commercial goods, repair items and company samples 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 commercial goods, repair items and company samples 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.

Where does this rule come from?

Generalzolldirektion (German Customs Administration) states it in Formen der Zollanmeldung. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Waren zu kommerziellen Zwecken mit einem Wert bis 1.000 Euro, die im persönlichen Gepäck von Reisenden mitgeführt werden”

How does Germany compare with other countries on commercial goods, repair items and company samples?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit commercial goods, repair items and company samples, 18 limit it and 2 let it through. Germany is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Commercial goods, repair items and company samples can I bring into Germany?

Declare

You can bring Commercial goods, repair items and company samples into Germany, but you must declare it.

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

Declaration Required

Limit 1,000 EUR

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Value cap: 1,000 EUR
Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Formen der Zollanmeldung German Customs (Zoll)

Questions about Commercial goods, repair items and company samples in Germany

How much commercial goods, repair items and company samples can I bring into Germany?: Germany allows commercial goods, repair items and company samples to be brought in, but it has to be declared once it reaches 1,000 EUR. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare commercial goods, repair items and company samples at Germany customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to Germany customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare commercial goods, repair items and company samples 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 commercial goods, repair items and company samples 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 commercial goods, repair items and company samples out of Germany?: Germany publishes no separate rule for taking commercial goods, repair items and company samples out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Germany limit for commercial goods, repair items and company samples 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 Formen der Zollanmeldung. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Waren zu kommerziellen Zwecken mit einem Wert bis 1.000 Euro, die im persönlichen Gepäck von Reisenden mitgeführt werden”
How does Germany compare with other countries on commercial goods, repair items and company samples?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit commercial goods, repair items and company samples, 18 limit it and 2 let it through. Germany is among the ones that set a limit.

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