What happens if I do not declare registered antiquities and cultural property 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 registered antiquities and cultural property 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.

Does the Germany limit for registered antiquities and cultural property 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 Kulturgut UNESCO Vertragsstaaten. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Geschützte Kulturgüter aus einem Vertragsstaat gemäß § 2 Abs. 1 Nr. 19 Kulturgutschutzgesetz (KGSG) dürfen nur eingeführt werden, wenn die Ausfuhr aus dem Vertragsstaat erlaubt ist.”

How does Germany compare with other countries on registered antiquities and cultural property?

Of the 19 countries covered here, 0 prohibit registered antiquities and cultural property, 15 limit it and 4 let it through. Germany is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Registered antiquities and cultural property can I bring into Germany?

Restricted

You can bring Registered antiquities and cultural property 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

Kulturgut UNESCO Vertragsstaaten German Customs (Zoll online)

Questions about Registered antiquities and cultural property in Germany

Do I have to declare registered antiquities and cultural property at Germany customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to Germany customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare registered antiquities and cultural property 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 registered antiquities and cultural property 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 registered antiquities and cultural property out of Germany?: Germany publishes no separate rule for taking registered antiquities and cultural property out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Germany limit for registered antiquities and cultural property 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 Kulturgut UNESCO Vertragsstaaten. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Geschützte Kulturgüter aus einem Vertragsstaat gemäß § 2 Abs. 1 Nr. 19 Kulturgutschutzgesetz (KGSG) dürfen nur eingeführt werden, wenn die Ausfuhr aus dem Vertragsstaat erlaubt ist.”
How does Germany compare with other countries on registered antiquities and cultural property?: Of the 19 countries covered here, 0 prohibit registered antiquities and cultural property, 15 limit it and 4 let it through. Germany is among the ones that set a limit.

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