23.06.2026 – 08:00
Saarbrücken (ots)
With the start of the summer holidays in Saarland and Rhineland-Palatinate, the travel season begins for many people. The Saarbrücken Customs Office recommends informing yourself about the applicable customs regulations before starting your trip. Anyone bringing souvenirs, purchases, luxury goods, or other items from abroad should be aware of the applicable duty-free allowances and import regulations. This helps to avoid unpleasant surprises when returning from vacation.
On the Customs website (www.zoll.de/reisen) as well as in the online brochure "Travel Time - Your Guide through Customs," travelers can find all the important information about which goods can be brought in from abroad without concern, which duty-free allowances apply for imports from non-EU countries, and what things holidaymakers should avoid.
Travel from non-EU countries
Travelers should be especially attentive when entering from non-EU countries (e.g. Great Britain, Egypt) as well as from special territories (e.g. Canary Islands, French overseas departments). Imported goods may only be brought into Germany duty-free for non-commercial purposes within certain quantity and value limits per person. The following regulations, for example, apply:
Alcohol and alcoholic beverages (only for persons aged 17 and older):
Tobacco products (only for persons aged 17 and older):
Medicines as well as veterinary medicines:
These may be carried in quantities corresponding to the personal needs of the traveler or the accompanying animal. Certain dietary supplements or vitamin preparations may be considered medicinal products in Germany, for example, if they are presented as remedies for the treatment of diseases. Special regulations apply to medicinal products containing narcotics. The website of the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (www.bfarm.de) also provides important information.
Fuels:
For substitutes for tobacco products (e.g. liquids for e-cigarettes - only for persons aged 17 and over) and other goods, certain value limits must be observed:
Important: Goods subject to a special quantity limit (e.g. tobacco products or alcohol) are not included in the value of goods.
For food of animal origin, there are further restrictions, particularly for animal disease control reasons. These include, for example, meat and meat products, game, milk and dairy products, as well as eggs.
To protect endangered animal and plant species, customs advises against taking souvenirs made from animals or plants while traveling. By purchasing such goods, tourists - often unknowingly - contribute to the endangerment of many species worldwide. The trade in protected animals and plants, their parts, or products made from them is strictly regulated, and violations are consistently prosecuted. In such cases, the goods will be seized, and heavy fines or penalties may be imposed. To be properly informed on this matter, the website www.artenschutz-online.de offers important information about protected animals and plants that should never be brought along.
Travel within the EU
Travel within the EU is generally not subject to any restrictions. However, there is an exception for so-called luxury goods (e.g., alcohol and alcoholic beverages, tobacco products and substitutes for tobacco products, as well as coffee) and fuels, for which national excise duties are levied EU-wide. For these goods, certain regulations and threshold quantities, which are assumed to be for personal use, must be observed even when traveling within the EU. If the goods are to be passed on to other persons (even free of charge as a gift), this does not count as personal use.
"A good travel preparation also includes being informed about the applicable customs regulations. Those who familiarize themselves with the import rules before their trip can enjoy their vacation without worries and avoid unnecessary delays or difficulties upon their return," explains Anja Ball, head of the Saarbrücken Main Customs Office.
The respective duty-free allowances or guideline quantities for goods brought from a third country, a special territory, or another member state only apply if the goods are personally carried by the travelers, i.e., transported in the same means of transport. If the goods are, however, sent ahead or afterwards, dispatched as freight, transported by mail, or by an express or courier service, different regulations apply.
