Do I have to declare duty-free liquids at Germany customs?

No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.

What happens if I do not declare duty-free liquids 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 duty-free liquids 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 duty-free liquids out of Germany?

Germany publishes no separate rule for taking duty-free liquids out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the Germany limit for duty-free liquids 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 Was darf ich mitnehmen?. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.

How does Germany compare with other countries on duty-free liquids?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit duty-free liquids, 4 limit it and 16 let it through. Germany is among the more permissive.

Can I bring duty-free liquids to Germany?

Official classification: Duty-free liquids in a sealed security bag

Allowed

You can bring duty-free liquids into Germany without a special limit.

Carried Allowed

Declaration Not required

Limit No stated quantity

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Channels: Carried with the traveler

On the plane

Airline differences

Airline	Difference from the baseline
AJet	Stricter than the standard rule
Singapore Airlines	Stricter than the standard rule

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Was darf ich mitnehmen? Bundespolizei

Questions about Duty-free liquids in Germany

Do I have to declare duty-free liquids at Germany customs?: No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.
What happens if I do not declare duty-free liquids 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 duty-free liquids 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 duty-free liquids out of Germany?: Germany publishes no separate rule for taking duty-free liquids out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Germany limit for duty-free liquids 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 Was darf ich mitnehmen?. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.
How does Germany compare with other countries on duty-free liquids?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit duty-free liquids, 4 limit it and 16 let it through. Germany is among the more permissive.

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

Cargo liquids in checked baggage (Zamzam water, edible oil, liquid food) Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) Medicine and baby food/milk liquids exempted from the LAG limit Perfume and toilet water Skincare and make-up products