Do I have to declare living animals and carcass at Germany customs?

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

What happens if I do not declare living animals and carcass 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 living animals and carcass 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 living animals and carcass out of Germany?

Germany publishes no separate rule for taking living animals and carcass out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the Germany limit for living animals and carcass 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 Eingang, Durch-, Ausfuhren und innergemeinschaftliche Verbringungen nach tierseuchen- und lebensmittelrechtlichen Vorschriften; Beantragung einer Genehmigung. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Wenn Sie Tiere, tierische Erzeugnisse oder Waren, die Träger von Ansteckungsstoffen sein können, einführen oder durch Deutschland transportieren möchten, müssen Sie eine Genehmigung beantragen.”

How does Germany compare with other countries on living animals and carcass?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit living animals and carcass, 19 limit it and 0 let it through. Germany is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Living animals and carcass can I bring into Germany?

Restricted

You can bring Living animals and carcass into Germany only within the stated limits.

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

Declaration Above allowance

Limit No stated quantity

What you need to know

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

Eingang, Durch-, Ausfuhren und innergemeinschaftliche Verbringungen nach tierseuchen- und lebensmittelrechtlichen Vorschriften; Beantragung einer Genehmigung Bundesportal (Bayern)

Questions about Living animals and carcass in Germany

Do I have to declare living animals and carcass at Germany customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to Germany customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare living animals and carcass 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 living animals and carcass 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 living animals and carcass out of Germany?: Germany publishes no separate rule for taking living animals and carcass out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Germany limit for living animals and carcass 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 Eingang, Durch-, Ausfuhren und innergemeinschaftliche Verbringungen nach tierseuchen- und lebensmittelrechtlichen Vorschriften; Beantragung einer Genehmigung. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Wenn Sie Tiere, tierische Erzeugnisse oder Waren, die Träger von Ansteckungsstoffen sein können, einführen oder durch Deutschland transportieren möchten, müssen Sie eine Genehmigung beantragen.”
How does Germany compare with other countries on living animals and carcass?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit living animals and carcass, 19 limit it and 0 let it through. Germany is among the ones that set a limit.

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