Unconstitutional Literature

For the protection of law and order, the introduction of literature of possibly unconstitutional content into Germany in passenger and postal traffic must be controlled strictly. This control of entries is part of the duties performed by German Customs.

The relevant restrictions result from the Strafgesetzbuch StGB (Criminal Code).

According to these provisions,

the liberal democratic fundamental order,
the idea of understanding among nations,
the Bundeswehr and public organs of security (e.g. police),
symbols of the Federal Government as well as
legislative and constitutional organs

are particularly treated as protected objects of an action /assets.

The import and introduction prohibits governed by the StGB cover (as writings) all books, journals, prints, sound and image media (e.g. film, CD, DVD, music and video cassettes) of unconstitutional content.
For example, you are not allowed to import into Germany films which would be - based on their content - suitable to act as a propaganda medium with an aggressive tendency against the liberal democratic fundamental order or against the idea of understanding among nations.
This also applies to the importation, exportation or distribution of symbols of unconstitutional (extreme right or hostile to foreigners) organisations (art. 86a StGB).
Then, in particular flags, badges or pieces of uniforms but also symbols that may be mixed up with unconstitutional ones are regarded as symbols. The introduction of literature, data media and the like the contents of which goad into racial hatred, call for violence or glorify wars, is prohibited as well. If in a control a breach of the Criminal Code is established, the literature shall be seized and forwarded to the competent prosecuting attorney for the institution of a criminal procedure.

Introduction from other Member States
For the introduction of literature from other Member States of the European Community, the provisions for entries from ‘third countries’ analogously apply. That is, the introduction of unconstitutional literature for example from Italy or Spain into Germany would be prohibited as well.

For further questions about the importation of literature of unconstitutional content, please contact:

The Bundeskriminalamt (Federal Bureau of Investigation),
the Zollkriminalamt (Customs Criminological Office),
the Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz (Federal Intelligence Office),
the central Customs Information Centre
or your locally competent customs office