Do I have to declare knives at Germany customs?

No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.

What happens if I do not declare knives 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 knives 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 knives out of Germany?

Germany publishes no separate rule for taking knives out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the Germany limit for knives 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 2026-09-19.

How does Germany compare with other countries on knives?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 4 prohibit knives, 14 limit it and 2 let it through. Germany is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Knives can I bring into Germany?

Allowed

You can bring Knives into Germany without a special limit.

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

Declaration Not required

Limit 430 EUR

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Value cap: 430 EUR
Channels: Carried with the traveler

On the plane

Airline differences

Airline	Difference from the baseline
Air France	Stricter than the standard rule

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Zoll online - Reisefreimengen Generalzolldirektion

Questions about Knives in Germany

How much knives can I bring into Germany?: Germany publishes no quantity limit for knives carried by a traveller. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare knives at Germany customs?: No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.
What happens if I do not declare knives 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 knives 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 knives out of Germany?: Germany publishes no separate rule for taking knives out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Germany limit for knives 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 2026-09-19.
How does Germany compare with other countries on knives?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 4 prohibit knives, 14 limit it and 2 let it through. Germany is among the ones that set a limit.

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