Do I have to declare external-use medicine (personal use) at Germany customs?

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

What happens if I do not declare external-use medicine (personal use) 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 external-use medicine (personal use) 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 external-use medicine (personal use) out of Germany?

Germany publishes no separate rule for taking external-use medicine (personal use) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the Germany limit for external-use medicine (personal use) 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 Einfuhr von Arzneimitteln bei der Einreise nach Deutschland. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.

How does Germany compare with other countries on external-use medicine (personal use)?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit external-use medicine (personal use), 6 limit it and 14 let it through. Germany is among the more permissive.

How much External-use medicine (personal use) can I bring into Germany?

Restricted

You can bring External-use medicine (personal use) 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

Einfuhr von Arzneimitteln bei der Einreise nach Deutschland Bundesministerium für Gesundheit (BMG)

Questions about External-use medicine (personal use) in Germany

Do I have to declare external-use medicine (personal use) at Germany customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to Germany customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare external-use medicine (personal use) 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 external-use medicine (personal use) 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 external-use medicine (personal use) out of Germany?: Germany publishes no separate rule for taking external-use medicine (personal use) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Germany limit for external-use medicine (personal use) 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 Einfuhr von Arzneimitteln bei der Einreise nach Deutschland. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.
How does Germany compare with other countries on external-use medicine (personal use)?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit external-use medicine (personal use), 6 limit it and 14 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

Controlled substances for personal medical use (schedules II-V) Controlled/prescription medicine Dietary supplements and sports nutrition Medicine containing stimulant raw materials Medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances Narcotic and psychotropic medicines