Holiday souvenirs: How to avoid problems at customs

Medicines and narcotics

The boundaries between so-called medicinal products on the one hand and narcotics on the other are also defined by customs.

• For medicines, you only have to comply with the rules of the country of travel when leaving the country. When returning to Germany, you are allowed to have a maximum of three months’ supply of each medicine with you.
• Food supplements, high-dose vitamin preparations or purely herbal natural remedies can also fall under this maximum limit.
• Counterfeit medicines, particularly dangerous substances and those frequently used in doping, as well as preparations that are subject to species protection (e.g. because endangered animal species are processed for them) are prohibited.
• Stricter rules apply to narcotics, which, in addition to drugs, can also include medicines containing morphine, for example. With a doctor’s prescription, you are allowed to take them with you in reasonable quantities for your own use. You can find out which form of certificate you need and which rules apply to which countries in the EU from customs at the link above.

Cash money

If you are approached by customs officials, you must let them know if you are carrying amounts of more than 10,000 euros.

In addition to cash, this also includes so-called equivalent means of payment. For example, savings books, electronic money, some precious metals and precious stones. Jewellery, however, does not.

Exception: territories that belong to the EU but not to its customs area.

It sounds strange at first, but not every territory that is part of the EU also falls under its customs rules. Some islands, such as Helgoland in the North Sea, Aruba and the Canary Islands, have a special status.

For such territories, the complete customs rules of the EU do not apply, so there are sometimes different upper limits for the tax.

Exception: travel via a non-EU country such as Switzerland

Sometimes, for example, the journey leads from the EU country Italy through Switzerland. Of course, different rules may apply there as to what you are allowed to bring through the country.

If you enter Germany via a non-EU country, luxury foodstuffs remain tax-free if you can prove that the goods originate from free movement within the EU (e.g. with invoices/cash register receipts).

Travelling outside the EU

What you are allowed to take out of Germany and bring back from your holiday is basically the same as for travel within the EU. Some exceptions: Travel souvenirs may only be for the personal use or consumption of the traveller, for members of the traveller’s household or as a gift. The upper limits up to which you do not have to pay taxes have been summarised in detail by customs.

Food products

The EU has quite strict rules against the import of animal products for private use. You can find them in detail at the German customs. One of the reasons for this is the danger of epidemics.

• Strict rules apply above all to meat, milk and products made from it, such as cheese or sausages, which enter the EU privately. You must have such goods checked by veterinarians at special entry points. You also need health certificates and a valid accompanying document.
• The measures are so onerous that you probably won’t want to bring such items.

Other goods purchased abroad

You discover an MP3 player on holiday, have bought a new camera or find a nice watch? You often have to declare such goods and pay duties when you return home. Purchases up to a total value of 700 euros are free.

The type and value of the goods are decisive for the amount of duty. You should therefore keep the purchase receipt of your travel souvenirs and present it at the check-in.

If you no longer have a receipt, the customs office will determine the value of the goods. This is done either on the basis of prices from comparable imports or – if not known – by estimating the value of your travel goods.

If the value of the dutiable goods per traveller does not exceed €700, the duties will be calculated using a flat rate of duty or set in detail according to the provisions of the relevant regulations.

Cash money

If you bring amounts of more than 10,000 euros out of or into the EU, you must declare this in writing to customs beforehand.

Savings bonds, cheques and shares are also covered by the regulation. Precious metals and precious stones, on the other hand, are treated as goods.

Protected animals and plants

Whether alive, stuffed or processed into goods: You are not allowed to bring species-protected animals and plants across the EU border.

This can apply, for example, to skin creams, medicines used in Asian medicine, animal souvenirs (e.g. skins) and exotic clothing (e.g. fur coats, leather belts and shoes). Cacti, orchids, corals, shells of mussels and snails may also be prohibited at customs.

• “Export certificates”, which traders often offer, do not count. Only competent authorities of the holiday country may issue official permits.
• Customs confiscates corresponding animals, plants and objects and can also impose a fine.
• There is a separate website that provides information on protected species sorted by holiday country.

Valuable items in your luggage

Customs classify luggage as travel items (e.g. sports equipment, photographic equipment or clothing), goods for personal consumption (e.g. hair shampoo, cream) and gifts. You may take these items with you for private use and bring them back to Germany.

• However, particularly high-value items can first make customs suspicious on the return journey. If you bring expensive photographic equipment, jewellery or sports equipment back to Germany, you will have to prove that you did not buy it outside the EU (e.g. with proof of purchase).
• You can avoid misunderstandings by taking care of this before you travel. You can have the so-called “information sheet INF 3” issued by customs before your journey. Bring the goods with you to the customs office. Photos of jewellery or the serial number of technical equipment are also helpful.
• If you are travelling by air, do this before you check in your luggage.
• You should also find out about the import and export regulations of your holiday destination before you start your journey. You can obtain information from the customs authorities of the respective holiday country or the representations of the holiday country in Germany (embassy or consulate).

Fake brands and clothing

You may only bring counterfeit and pirated products across the border for your private use.

• If customs suspects, for example because of the quantity, that you will resell them, there may be problems.
• But the owners of trademark rights can also ask to intercept counterfeit goods in general. Then you can get rid of a single T-shirt at the border.

Relaxed parking and start your holiday

We will take care of parking your car in the car park reserved for you and take you to the airport with our shuttle bus. Your car will be parked safely and securely in one of our car parks during your journey. You can conveniently book the right parking space for your next flight from BER Airport at www.dein-stellplatz.de.

We wish you a relaxing holiday!

Our recommendation:

With our all-round protection package, you are optimally covered for just €4.90, including a free extension for up to 24 hours if your return flight is delayed. You can also cancel free of charge up to the last minute. With a MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE!

You can find all the advantages here!