Do I have to declare medicines at Germany customs?

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

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

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

Does the Germany limit for medicines 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 Travellers’ allowances. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “The goods are intended exclusively for your personal use or consumption, for members of your household, or as a gift.”

How does Germany compare with other countries on medicines?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit medicines, 16 limit it and 4 let it through. Germany is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Medicines can I bring into Germany?

Restricted

You can bring Medicines 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
Value cap: 430 EUR
Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Zoll am Flughafen Hamburg verhindert Medikamentenschmuggel German Customs (Zoll)
Travellers’ allowances German Customs (Zoll)

Questions about Medicines in Germany

How much medicines can I bring into Germany?: Germany allows 430 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 medicines at Germany customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to Germany customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare medicines 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 medicines 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 medicines out of Germany?: Germany publishes no separate rule for taking medicines out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Germany limit for medicines 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 Travellers’ allowances. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “The goods are intended exclusively for your personal use or consumption, for members of your household, or as a gift.”
How does Germany compare with other countries on medicines?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit medicines, 16 limit it and 4 let it through. Germany is among the ones that set a limit.

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