Customs duties

When importing goods into the EU customs union, it is generally necessary to check whether they are subject to customs regulations. The EU customs union covers the entire territory of the EU with a few exceptions. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom, for example, are not included.

Temporary import of medical aids to Germany

Personal medical aids (e.g. wheelchairs and crutches) can usually be imported into the EU temporarily without customs formalities when crossing the border, for example if the aids are being taken along by travellers for personal use.
Other medical aids, such as items intended for professional use, may need to be declared verbally to customs at the border.
Please note that the person using the medical aid must cross the border (as part of tourist traffic) alongside the aid. Further information can be found at this link.
If German customs require a written customs declaration for the self-transport of particularly expensive aids or for transporting two or more wheelchairs, the relevant form must be completed. This can be done directly at the border customs office.

If the informal customs declaration described above is not possible—for example if third parties are transporting the goods or the shipments are more extensive, the ATA Carnet should be used instead. This is a type of customs document that allows the temporary import of exhibition items, professional equipment etc. without incurring import duties. It is issued by the Chambers of Commerce and Industry in countries that support the procedure. Information about the ATA Carnet process can be found here.

In any case, it is possible and advisable to obtain information relevant to your specific plans from German customs before travelling. This can be done by phone or email; the contact details can be found here. 
 

Temporary import of medical aids abroad

Medical aids can usually be taken abroad without any special customs formalities. However, for larger shipments (e.g. several wheelchairs or aids for professional use) or shipments involving third parties, it may be necessary to use an ATA Carnet. The ATA Carnet is a type of customs document that allows the temporary import of exhibition items, professional equipment etc. without incurring import duties. In Germany, these documents are issued by the local chambers of commerce and industry for transport of such items to countries that support the procedure. Further information can be found here.

In general, the destination country's national regulations apply to temporary imports. You should enquire about these in advance.
Information on national import regulations can be obtained from

  • the customs authorities in the destination country. Local cooperation partners may be able to assist you with this.
  • GTAI Germany Trade & Invest > go to website (in German)
  • the German Chamber of Commerce Abroad (Deutsche Auslandshandelskammer; AHK) in the destination country: see the website of the German Chambers of Commerce Abroad or the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) in your place of residence. AHKs/IHKs offer comprehensive advice to members, but non-members can also take advantage of initial consultations or access general information on import regulations, for example.
     

Entry with animals

To ensure that entry or re-entry goes smoothly, every pet must:

  • be identified by a tattoo or microchip (for animals newly registered since 3 July 2011),
  • have a valid rabies vaccination when travelling from a non-EU country,
  • have an EU pet passport (for animals from the EU) or an official veterinary certificate (for animals from a non-EU country), in which the microchip number or tattoo is recorded,
  • be accompanied by vaccination documents and, if applicable, the results of a rabies antibody test.

Further information can be found on the German customs website.

Stricter requirements apply to antiparasitic treatments, especially for tapeworms, in the member states of Ireland, Malta and Finland:

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