Do I have to declare pets carried in the cabin at Germany customs?

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

What happens if I do not declare pets carried in the cabin 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 pets carried in the cabin 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 pets carried in the cabin out of Germany?

Germany publishes no separate rule for taking pets carried in the cabin out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the Germany limit for pets carried in the cabin 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 Einreiseorte. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Bei der Einreise müssen Sie die zuständigen Behörden vor Ort kontaktieren, die die Dokumente und die Identität Ihres Heimtieres überprüfen.”

How does Germany compare with other countries on pets carried in the cabin?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit pets carried in the cabin, 19 limit it and 1 let it through. Germany is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Pets carried in the cabin can I bring into Germany?

Declare

You can bring Pets carried in the cabin into Germany, but you must declare it.

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

Declaration 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

Einreiseorte Bundesministerium für Landwirtschaft, Ernährung und Heimat (BMLEH)

Questions about Pets carried in the cabin in Germany

Do I have to declare pets carried in the cabin at Germany customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to Germany customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare pets carried in the cabin 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 pets carried in the cabin 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 pets carried in the cabin out of Germany?: Germany publishes no separate rule for taking pets carried in the cabin out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Germany limit for pets carried in the cabin 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 Einreiseorte. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Bei der Einreise müssen Sie die zuständigen Behörden vor Ort kontaktieren, die die Dokumente und die Identität Ihres Heimtieres überprüfen.”
How does Germany compare with other countries on pets carried in the cabin?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit pets carried in the cabin, 19 limit it and 1 let it through. Germany is among the ones that set a limit.

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