Do I have to declare cultural property export licensing at Germany customs?

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

What happens if I do not declare cultural property export licensing 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 cultural property export licensing 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 cultural property export licensing out of Germany?

Yes. Germany publishes no limit on taking cultural property export licensing out.

Does the Germany limit for cultural property export licensing 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 Schutz von Kulturgut aus Drittstaaten. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.

How does Germany compare with other countries on cultural property export licensing?

Of the 17 countries covered here, 1 prohibit cultural property export licensing, 14 limit it and 2 let it through. Germany is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Cultural property export licensing can I bring into Germany?

Restricted

You can bring Cultural property export licensing into Germany only within the stated limits.

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

Limit No stated quantity

Post or courier allowed

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Channels: Carried with the traveler, Post or courier
No stated quantity
Value cap: 18,000 EUR
Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Schutz des nationalen Kulturgutes Generalzolldirektion / Bundeszollverwaltung (Zoll online)
Schutz von Kulturgut aus Drittstaaten Generalzolldirektion / German Customs Administration (zoll.de)

Questions about Cultural property export licensing in Germany

How much cultural property export licensing can I bring into Germany?: Germany allows cultural property export licensing to be brought in, but it has to be declared once it reaches 18,000 EUR. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare cultural property export licensing at Germany customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to Germany customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare cultural property export licensing 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 cultural property export licensing 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 cultural property export licensing out of Germany?: Yes. Germany publishes no limit on taking cultural property export licensing out.
Does the Germany limit for cultural property export licensing 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 Schutz von Kulturgut aus Drittstaaten. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.
How does Germany compare with other countries on cultural property export licensing?: Of the 17 countries covered here, 1 prohibit cultural property export licensing, 14 limit it and 2 let it through. Germany is among the ones that set a limit.

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