Do I have to declare gifts and personal goods at Germany customs?

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

What happens if I do not declare gifts and personal goods 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 gifts and personal goods 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 gifts and personal goods out of Germany?

Germany publishes no separate rule for taking gifts and personal goods out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the Germany limit for gifts and personal goods 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 - Reisefreimengen. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-17. The sentence it rests on reads: “bei Reisenden unter 15 Jahren bis zu einem Warenwert von insgesamt 175 Euro”

How does Germany compare with other countries on gifts and personal goods?

Of the 21 countries covered here, 0 prohibit gifts and personal goods, 14 limit it and 7 let it through. Germany is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Gifts and personal goods can I bring into Germany?

Restricted

You can bring Gifts and personal goods into Germany only within the stated limits.

Extra conditions apply

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

Limit 175 EUR

Arrival duty-free allowed

Post or courier prohibited

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Value cap: 175 EUR
Channels: Arrival duty-free, Carried with the traveler, Post or courier
Extra conditions apply

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-17

Zoll online - Reisefreimengen Generalzolldirektion

Questions about Gifts and personal goods in Germany

How much gifts and personal goods can I bring into Germany?: Germany allows 175 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 gifts and personal goods at Germany customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to Germany customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare gifts and personal goods 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 gifts and personal goods 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 gifts and personal goods out of Germany?: Germany publishes no separate rule for taking gifts and personal goods out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Germany limit for gifts and personal goods 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 - Reisefreimengen. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-17. The sentence it rests on reads: “bei Reisenden unter 15 Jahren bis zu einem Warenwert von insgesamt 175 Euro”
How does Germany compare with other countries on gifts and personal goods?: Of the 21 countries covered here, 0 prohibit gifts and personal goods, 14 limit it and 7 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

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