Do I have to declare knives and bladed weapons at Germany customs?

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

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

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

Does the Germany limit for knives and bladed weapons 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 Waffenrechtliche Regelungen in Deutschland - Waffengesetzänderungen 2024: Fragen & Antworten. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Für Messer mit einer feststehenden Klinge von über 12 cm Länge und für Einhandmesser gilt darüber hinaus weiterhin das gesetzliche Führensverbot nach § 42a WaffG.”

How does Germany compare with other countries on knives and bladed weapons?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 5 prohibit knives and bladed weapons, 15 limit it and 0 let it through. Germany is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Knives and bladed weapons can I bring into Germany?

Restricted

You can bring Knives and bladed weapons 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

Waffenrechtliche Regelungen in Deutschland - Waffengesetzänderungen 2024: Fragen & Antworten Bundesministerium des Innern und für Heimat (BMI)
Waffen und Munition German Customs (Zoll)

Questions about Knives and bladed weapons in Germany

Do I have to declare knives and bladed weapons at Germany customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to Germany customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare knives and bladed weapons 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 and bladed weapons 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 and bladed weapons out of Germany?: Germany publishes no separate rule for taking knives and bladed weapons out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Germany limit for knives and bladed weapons 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 Waffenrechtliche Regelungen in Deutschland - Waffengesetzänderungen 2024: Fragen & Antworten. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Für Messer mit einer feststehenden Klinge von über 12 cm Länge und für Einhandmesser gilt darüber hinaus weiterhin das gesetzliche Führensverbot nach § 42a WaffG.”
How does Germany compare with other countries on knives and bladed weapons?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 5 prohibit knives and bladed weapons, 15 limit it and 0 let it through. Germany is among the ones that set a limit.

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