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

No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.

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

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

Does the Germany limit for personal-use medicine 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 Zoll am Flughafen Hamburg verhindert Medikamentenschmuggel. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Als üblicher persönlicher Bedarf ist dabei ein Bedarf für maximal drei Monate je Arzneimittel, unter Berücksichtigung der Dosierungsempfehlungen, anzusehen.”

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

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit personal-use medicine, 10 limit it and 10 let it through. Germany is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Personal-use medicine can I bring into Germany?

Allowed

You can bring Personal-use medicine 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

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Zoll am Flughafen Hamburg verhindert Medikamentenschmuggel German Customs (Zoll)

Questions about Personal-use medicine in Germany

Do I have to declare personal-use medicine at Germany customs?: No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.
What happens if I do not declare personal-use medicine 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 personal-use medicine 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 personal-use medicine out of Germany?: Germany publishes no separate rule for taking personal-use medicine out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Germany limit for personal-use medicine 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 Zoll am Flughafen Hamburg verhindert Medikamentenschmuggel. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Als üblicher persönlicher Bedarf ist dabei ein Bedarf für maximal drei Monate je Arzneimittel, unter Berücksichtigung der Dosierungsempfehlungen, anzusehen.”
How does Germany compare with other countries on personal-use medicine?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit personal-use medicine, 10 limit it and 10 let it through. Germany is among the ones that set a limit.

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 External-use medicine (personal use) Medicine containing stimulant raw materials Medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances