Goods Across Borders · Customs rule card

Alcohol / Spirits → Germany

Purpose: Traveling · Verified: 2026-05-13

ALLOWED

EU standard allowances; generous from EU states

Details

Germany follows EU duty-free allowances: 1L spirits from non-EU countries; from other EU member states, personal quantities are unrestricted (guideline: 10L spirits, 90L wine). German excise rates on spirits are moderate by European standards. Beer has no practical limit within the EU.

Quantity limit

1L spirits (non-EU); unrestricted personal (intra-EU)

Legal reference

EU Directive 2007/74/EC, Branntweinsteuergesetz

IATA dangerous goods

Alcohol / Spirits is classified under Class 3 — Flammable liquids. Cabin and checked-baggage limits apply on top of customs rules.

Practical advice

Standard duty-free allowance applies (typically 1L spirits + 1-2L wine + beer). Declare any quantity above; excise + 19% VAT computed at Zollkriminalamt / Zoll (German Customs — Federal Customs Administration) Red Channel. Bring purchase receipts.

Customs authority

Zollkriminalamt / Zoll (German Customs — Federal Customs Administration) · https://www.zoll.de