Can I send food to Germany?
Yes, with conditions.
Food for your own use is allowed in principle, but meat and dairy from outside the EU must meet commercial veterinary rules. Fish up to 20 kg and honey up to 2 kg are exempt. Couriers refuse perishables, and coffee pays excise.
For every Onvoyo box: Only sealed, shop-bought, shelf-stable food. Express couriers don't carry perishable food: nothing fresh, frozen, meat, dairy or produce.
More rules for Germany
Not allowed
- Meat, milk, and products made from them, such as sausage or cheese, from outside the EU, unless they pass a veterinary border check with health certificates (Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, San Marino, and Northern Ireland are exempt)
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.
- Fish, honey, and other animal products
- Up to 20 kg of fish products (or one fish, if heavier) and up to 2 kg of other exempt animal products such as honey may go to private people in small parcels. Meat and dairy must meet commercial veterinary rules. Parcels that don't comply are refused and may be destroyed on the spot.
- Plants, cut flowers, fresh fruit, and seeds
- From outside the EU they need a plant health (phytosanitary) certificate, even in small amounts. Only pineapples, coconuts, durians, bananas, and dates are exempt.
Quantity limits
- Perfume and coffee in a gift
- Within the €45: 50 g of perfume or 0.25 liters of eau de toilette, and 500 g of coffee (or 200 g of coffee extract).
- Animal products
- Per small parcel to a private person: fish products up to 20 kg (or one fish, if heavier) and other exempt animal products such as honey up to 2 kg. Meat and dairy from outside the EU must meet commercial veterinary rules, which private parcels rarely can.
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 food to Germany?
Yes, with conditions. Food for your own use is allowed in principle, but meat and dairy from outside the EU must meet commercial veterinary rules. Fish up to 20 kg and honey up to 2 kg are exempt. Couriers refuse perishables, and coffee pays excise.
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)
Kulturgüter (Reisen in einen Nicht-EU-Staat) (opens in a new tab) - 9.
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.