Do I have to declare goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty at Germany customs?

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

What happens if I do not declare goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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 goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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 goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty out of Germany?

Germany publishes no separate rule for taking goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the Germany limit for goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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 online - Überschreiten der Reisefreimengen. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Die Einfuhrabgaben werden anhand eines pauschalierten Abgabensatzes berechnet, wenn der Wert der abgabenpflichtigen Waren je Reisender den Betrag von 700 Euro nicht übersteigt.”

How does Germany compare with other countries on goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty, 7 limit it and 13 let it through. Germany is among the more permissive.

How much Goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty can I bring into Germany?

Restricted

You can bring Goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty into Germany only within the stated limits.

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

Declaration Above allowance

Limit 700 EUR

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Value cap: 700 EUR
Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Zoll online - Überschreiten der Reisefreimengen German Customs (Zoll)

Questions about Goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty in Germany

How much goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty can I bring into Germany?: Germany allows 700 EUR per traveller. Above that the goods are treated as an import and duty becomes payable. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty at Germany customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to Germany customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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 goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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 goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty out of Germany?: Germany publishes no separate rule for taking goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Germany limit for goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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 online - Überschreiten der Reisefreimengen. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Die Einfuhrabgaben werden anhand eines pauschalierten Abgabensatzes berechnet, wenn der Wert der abgabenpflichtigen Waren je Reisender den Betrag von 700 Euro nicht übersteigt.”
How does Germany compare with other countries on goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty, 7 limit it and 13 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

Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) Audio and video recorder/player Driver and crew border-shop bundle GPS device Game console Gifts and personal goods