Germany
Verified scope · Research reviewed 2026-09-10
These procedures have recorded sources for the researched scope. This is not a guarantee that every entry requirement or later change is covered. Check the official pages before traveling.
2 published procedures; 0 recorded procedures withheld; 0 open research questions.
At a glance
Source-backed procedures
Cash and equivalent means of payment declaration (Barmittelanmeldung)
Open the official page ↗https://www.zoll.de/DE/Privatpersonen/Reisen/Rueckkehr-aus-einem-Nicht-EU-Staat/Einschraenkungen/Barmittel/barmittel_node.html- Channel
- Online
- Fee
- Not verified
- Authority
- Generalzolldirektion / Zoll (German Customs)
- Source verification date
- 2026-09-10
Online via the Zollportal service 'Barmittelanmeldeerklärung', form 040000_1; registration and login are required and submission produces a reference number. Paper forms 040000 (German) / 040001 (English) with annex sheets 040050/040051 may still be used in individual cases only — not an unconditional equivalent option.
Who it applies to, exceptions and limits (full text)
Two distinct duties per the Zoll page, not one blanket obligation. (1) Cash (Barmittel): travellers entering Germany from a non-EU member state carrying cash with a total value of 10,000 euros or more must proactively register (anmelden) the amount with customs. (2) Equal means of payment (gleichgestellte Zahlungsmittel, e.g. securities, precious metals, money instruments): these are not subject to proactive registration; they must be declared orally only upon questioning (auf Befragung) by a customs officer. The obligation also applies to passengers from a non-EU state staying in the international transit zone of an EU member state airport before flying on to another non-EU state.
Based on: de-zoll-barmittel
Declaration of goods exceeding travellers' allowances (Reisefreimengen)
Open the official page ↗https://www.zoll.de/EN/Private-individuals/Travel/Entering-Germany/Duties-and-taxes/Travellers-allowances/travellers-allowances_node.html- Channel
- Conditional
- Fee
- Not verified
- Authority
- Generalzolldirektion / Zoll (German Customs)
- Source verification date
- 2026-09-10
Use the red channel / declare to customs on arrival; the current official page is travellers-allowances_node.html (previously cited _functions.html URL is dead).
Entering Germany from a non-EU country: goods up to EUR 300 duty-free (EUR 430 for air/sea travellers, EUR 175 for travellers under 15). Alcohol (17+): 1 L spirits over 22% vol or 2 L up to 22%, plus 4 L still wine and 16 L beer. Tobacco (17+): 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 g tobacco. Fuel: tank plus up to 10 L in a portable container. Goods above the allowances must be declared and taxed on the whole item value.
Based on: de-zoll-reisefreimengen
Sources
- Anmelde- bzw. Anzeigepflicht bei der Einreise aus einem Nicht-EU-Mitgliedstaat — Zoll online
· Zoll.de (German Customs)
https://www.zoll.de/DE/Privatpersonen/Reisen/Rueckkehr-aus-einem-Nicht-EU-Staat/Einschraenkungen/Barmittel/barmittel_node.html [de-zoll-barmittel] - Travellers' allowances — Zoll online
· Zoll (zoll.de)
https://www.zoll.de/EN/Private-individuals/Travel/Entering-Germany/Duties-and-taxes/Travellers-allowances/travellers-allowances_node.html [de-zoll-reisefreimengen]