Can I send alcohol or tobacco to Germany?
No.
Don't pack them. Couriers generally refuse them, excise is due whatever the value, tobacco needs a German tax stamp, and neither qualifies for moving relief.
For every Onvoyo box: Onvoyo and most express couriers don't carry alcohol, tobacco or vaping products in personal boxes, whatever the destination allows.
More rules for Germany
Allowed with conditions
- Alcohol, tobacco, and coffee
- Excise duty is due whatever the box's value. Tobacco and e-cigarette liquids must also carry a valid German tax stamp. A gift worth €45 or less may include small amounts free (see allowances). None of them qualify for moving relief.
Quantity limits
- Tobacco in a gift
- Within the €45: 50 cigarettes, or 25 cigarillos, or 10 cigars, or 50 g of smoking tobacco (including heated and water-pipe tobacco), or a mix of these.
- Alcohol in a gift
- Within the €45: 1 liter of spirits over 22%, or 1 liter of drinks up to 22% such as sparkling or fortified wine, plus 2 liters of still wine.
Before you ship to Germany
- Tax-free limit
- From another EU country, there is no customs clearance and nothing to pay on arrival. From outside the EU (including the UK), there is no tax-free threshold. Import VAT has applied from the first euro since the old €22 exemption ended on July 1, 2021, and the €150 customs duty exemption ended on July 1, 2026. Gifts sent by one private person to another, worth up to €45 (about $53) per box, remain free of duty and import VAT.
- Receiver ID
- No national ID or tax number is needed for a private shipment. Private individuals also don't need an EORI customs number unless they make customs declarations regularly (10 or more a year). The courier may ask for a phone number and email to arrange payment.
- Transit
- 1-3 business days within the EU; 2-5 from the UK or North America; 3-7 from Asia
Questions
Can I send alcohol or tobacco to Germany?
No. Don't pack them. Couriers generally refuse them, excise is due whatever the value, tobacco needs a German tax stamp, and neither qualifies for moving relief.
Ask about a specific item
Official sources
- 1.
Generalzolldirektion (Zoll)
Internetbestellungen (opens in a new tab) - 2.
Generalzolldirektion (Zoll)
Geschenksendungen (opens in a new tab) - 3.
Generalzolldirektion (Zoll)
Arzneimittel (Sendungen aus einem Nicht-EU-Staat) (opens in a new tab) - 4.
Generalzolldirektion (Zoll)
Einfuhr von tierischen Erzeugnissen in Kleinsendungen (opens in a new tab) - 5.
Generalzolldirektion (Zoll)
Private Einfuhr von Lebens- und Futtermitteln (opens in a new tab) - 6.
Generalzolldirektion (Zoll)
Transferring residence (opens in a new tab) - 7.
Generalzolldirektion (Zoll)
Schulmaterial, Ausstattung und Haushaltsgegenstände von Schülern und Studenten (opens in a new tab) - 8.
Generalzolldirektion (Zoll)
Fragen und Antworten zu Sendungen aus einem Nicht-EU-Staat (opens in a new tab)
General guidance, not legal advice. Customs in Germany makes the final decision on every box.