Entry from non-EC countries

You are an EC resident returning to Germany from holiday in a non-EC country. What do you have to take into account?

• Within the quantity and value limits you may import travel souvenirs and gifts free of duty.
  For certain groups of individuals such as inhabitants of border regions or commuters across the border (frontier workers) divergent regulations as to quantity and value limits apply.
• For information about which goods you may import into Germany on no account, please see the advice on prohibitions and restrictions.
• A written declaration of goods accompanied is obligatory necessary at Customs if
  • the goods are subject to restrictions (e.g. obligation to submit a CITES certificate for the importation of protected animals) or if
  • specific formalities, e.g. according to external law, must be complied with (e.g. submission of import permits)

To speed up the declaration in case of journeys by air, at most German airports a specific clearance procedure was instituted. After you have collected your baggage, you may select the red or the green exit.

Which of them is the right one depends on the goods you are bringing. Information boards on the spot inform you about Customs regulations.

You may use the green exit if you exclusively have goods which are

• free of import duties,
• not subject to any prohibitions and restrictions and
• not subject to any formalities according to external law.

Otherwise, you will have to use the red exit and must declare the relevant goods to Customs.

If you carry commercial goods, you will always need to take the red exit, even if the goods are not subject to duties.

However, you must expect checks in the green exit, too.