Do I have to declare CITES-protected species and products at Germany customs?

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

What happens if I do not declare CITES-protected species and products 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 CITES-protected species and products 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 CITES-protected species and products out of Germany?

Germany publishes no separate rule for taking CITES-protected species and products out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the Germany limit for CITES-protected species and products 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 Cites - Ein- und Ausfuhrregelungen nach EU-Recht. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Diese dürfen nur nach vorheriger Erteilung einer Einfuhrgenehmigung durch die zuständige Vollzugsbehörde in die EU importiert werden.”

How does Germany compare with other countries on CITES-protected species and products?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit CITES-protected species and products, 19 limit it and 0 let it through. Germany is among the ones that set a limit.

How much CITES-protected species and products can I bring into Germany?

Restricted

You can bring CITES-protected species and products 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
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

Cites - Ein- und Ausfuhrregelungen nach EU-Recht Bundesamt für Naturschutz
Zollabfertigung Bundesamt für Naturschutz

Questions about CITES-protected species and products in Germany

Do I have to declare CITES-protected species and products at Germany customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to Germany customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare CITES-protected species and products 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 CITES-protected species and products 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 CITES-protected species and products out of Germany?: Germany publishes no separate rule for taking CITES-protected species and products out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Germany limit for CITES-protected species and products 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 Cites - Ein- und Ausfuhrregelungen nach EU-Recht. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Diese dürfen nur nach vorheriger Erteilung einer Einfuhrgenehmigung durch die zuständige Vollzugsbehörde in die EU importiert werden.”
How does Germany compare with other countries on CITES-protected species and products?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit CITES-protected species and products, 19 limit it and 0 let it through. Germany is among the ones that set a limit.

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