Customs and entry at Frankfurt Airport: allowances, long-haul trips & souvenirs

For many long-haul travellers, Frankfurt is the gateway back to Germany. If you are coming from the USA, Asia, the Middle East or Africa, you often have purchases in your luggage: electronics, cosmetics, jewellery, clothing, cigarettes or spirits from duty-free. Between the baggage belt and the exit you choose between the customs green or red exit – and thereby whether you have done everything correctly. In this guide we explain the most important allowances, typical pitfalls on long-haul trips, the rules for cash and prohibited souvenirs. The current information from German customs on zoll.de is always binding.

EU or non-EU

What matters is whether you are coming from a country inside or outside the EU customs union:

• From the EU: goods for your own use without a value limit; there are guide quantities for tobacco and alcohol.
• From non-EU countries: fixed allowances. Anything above them must be declared.

Watch out for special territories such as the Canary Islands, which are not part of the EU excise territory: for tobacco and alcohol, the non-EU allowances apply from there. The same applies to Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom, which are not part of the EU.

The allowances from non-EU countries

Tobacco (aged 17 and over)

• 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 grams of smoking tobacco

Alcohol (aged 17 and over)

• 1 litre of spirits over 22 % or 2 litres up to 22 %
• plus 4 litres of still wine
• plus 16 litres of beer

Other goods

For air travel there is a value limit of 430 euros per person aged 15 and over, and 175 euros under 15. The allowances of several people may not be added together for one item. If a single item is above the limit, its entire value is subject to duty.

Typical pitfalls on long-haul trips

Electronics from the USA and Asia

Smartphones, laptops, cameras and headphones are cheaper in some countries. But a new laptop for 1,200 euros is well above the value limit. Import VAT and, depending on the goods, customs duty are then due – calculated on the entire value. Declare such purchases at the red exit and have the receipt ready. If you do not declare them and are checked, you risk criminal proceedings.

Jewellery and watches

Jewellery from Asia or the Middle East is popular – and often costs more than 430 euros. Here too: declare it. For your own jewellery and watches that you already owned before the trip, it is best to bring the purchase receipts to avoid discussions.

Clothing and bags

Several purchases quickly add up. Keep your receipts and do a quick calculation before you return.

Duty-free when changing planes

If you fly back via a hub airport in the Middle East or Asia and shop in the duty-free there, you must count the goods towards the allowances on arrival in Frankfurt. Liquids should stay in the sealed bag with the receipt until Frankfurt. More in the guide Liquids in hand luggage at Frankfurt Airport.

Green or red exit?

• Green (“Nothing to declare”): only for goods within the allowances and without prohibited or restricted goods. Spot checks still take place.
• Red (“Goods to declare”): if you exceed the allowances, carry restricted goods or are unsure.

If you are caught in the green exit with undeclared goods, you must expect tax criminal proceedings or a fine in addition to the duties. If in doubt: red.

Cash

You must declare cash of 10,000 euros or more (or the equivalent) in writing when entering from non-EU countries – this also includes certain securities and gold. Within the EU it must be declared orally on request.

Prohibited and restricted goods

• Products from protected animal and plant species (species protection)
• Counterfeit products, especially in larger quantities
• Meat, sausage and dairy products from most non-EU countries
• Weapons, ammunition, certain knives, pyrotechnics
• Medicines beyond what you need for the trip, certain active substances
• Cultural goods and antiques subject to restrictions

Passport control on entry

On non-Schengen flights, the Federal Police passport control comes before baggage reclaim. In Frankfurt, several long-haul flights often land at the same time – then it can take a while. For travellers from third countries, the EU is gradually introducing an electronic Entry/Exit System; for EU citizens nothing changes as a result.

Pets

Animal health regulations apply to animals: microchip, rabies vaccination, EU pet passport and, for some countries, also a blood test. Find out from customs and the veterinary office before you travel.

Allow time for your return

Passport control, the baggage belt and customs can take a while after long-haul trips. Let your parking provider know if it takes longer and tell them your arrival terminal. More in the guide Returning: collecting your car at Frankfurt Airport. If someone is picking you up, you will find tips in the guide Dropping off and picking up at Frankfurt Airport.

Getting your purchases home easily

With lots of luggage and shopping, the way to your own car is more convenient than the train. With valet parking at Frankfurt Airport, the car is waiting at the meeting point near the terminal. Compare offers: Find parking at Frankfurt Airport.

Common misconceptions

• “Used means duty-free” – a device bought on holiday is still an imported good.
• “We’ll add up the whole family” – not for individual expensive items.
• “Duty-free is free on entry” – it counts towards the allowances.
• “When changing planes in Frankfurt I don’t need to worry about anything” – when arriving from non-EU countries, the rules apply at your first EU airport.

Checklist

• Country of origin checked (EU, non-EU, special territories)
• Allowances for tobacco, alcohol and goods respected
• Expensive purchases declared at the red exit with receipts
• No prohibited souvenirs
• Cash of 10,000 euros or more declared

Changing planes in Frankfurt: where is customs clearance?

Many travellers arrive in Frankfurt from overseas and continue within Germany or Europe. For them: customs clearance generally takes place at the destination airport if the luggage is checked through. Hand luggage, however, is considered at the first point of entry into the EU. If your journey ends in Frankfurt, you go through customs here. If you change planes in Frankfurt and continue, for example, to Berlin, you are checked at the destination airport depending on the handling. If in doubt, ask customs where you need to declare goods – and keep receipts to hand.

Import VAT and customs duty: how much does it cost?

If an item is above the value limit, import VAT is usually due – currently mostly 19 percent of the customs value, 7 percent for certain goods. Customs duty may be added depending on the type of goods. For travellers, there is a simplified flat-rate charge for goods up to a certain value. German customs lists the current rates and limits on zoll.de. Before buying an expensive device, do a quick calculation: the price advantage abroad often shrinks considerably after tax and duty.

Gifts for family and friends

Gifts that you bring for others also count towards your allowances. If you buy several gifts, keep an eye on the total values. A list with prices and receipts makes the declaration at the red exit easier. Children under 15 have a lower value limit; an expensive gift “for the child” therefore does not help to get around the limit.

Medicines from abroad

Medicines are considerably cheaper in some countries. However, as a rule only a quantity for personal use during the trip or for a limited period afterwards is allowed. Certain active substances are prohibited in Germany or require a prescription. Find out from customs before you buy.

Conclusion: better to declare than to pay later

With the allowances in mind and an honest declaration of expensive purchases, customs at Frankfurt Airport is no problem. Especially for electronics and jewellery from long-haul trips, the red exit is often the right choice. A parking space booked in advance takes care of the journey home – all options on the page Parking at Frankfurt Airport.