getting in and getting out

entry requirements and going through customs

Entry Requirements:

Americans, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders, Irish Nationals:
A passport is required for travel to Germany. If the stay is less than 90 days per six months, a visa is not required. Visas for extended stays can be obtained either before or after arrival.

UK Nationals:
A passport is required for travel to Germany. If the passport is endorsed British Citizen, European Union, or has front cover of the Government of Bermuda endorsed British Overseas Territories Citizen, a visa is not required for stays of less than 90 days per six moths. Visas for extended stays can be obtained either before or after arrival. If the passport is not endorsed, a visa is required for entry.

South Africans:
A passport as well as a Schengen visa are required.

U.S. Customs Information:

U.S. Customs & Border Patrol: http://www.cbp.gov

Avoid paying unnecessary duty:
To avoid having to pay duty on recently purchased items such as laptops, cameras, and expensive jewelry, make sure you bring receipts, insurance paperwork or appraisals to prove they were purchased prior to your trip abroad. You can also register them at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection office.

What you must declare:
You must declare items you have purchased, received as a gift, inherited, or had repairs made on. You must declare all of these items, regardless of what you will be doing with them (i.e. gifts, resale, souvenirs).

Duty Free Exemption (personal exemption):
This is the total value of goods you are allowed to bring back before you are required to pay duty. The duty free exemption for Europe is $800. This means that you are allowed to bring back $800 worth of goods, but it must accompany you. This exemption does not apply to items you ship separately.

This amount is individual, and so is valid for every member of the family. Family members may also choose to combine exemptions and make a joint declaration.

Prohibited or Restricted:
The following is a list of items which either are prohibited or have restrictions. Please check the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol website for detailed information. www.cbp.gov
      
Absinthe (Alcohol), Automobiles, Biologicals, Ceramic Tableware, Cultural Artifacts and Cultural Property (Art/Artifacts), Dog and Cat Fur, Drug Paraphernalia, Firearms, Fish and Wildlife, Food Products (Prepared), Fruits and Vegetables, Game and Hunting Trophies, Gold, Meats, Livestock, and Poultry, Medication, Merchandise from Embargoed Countries, Pets, Plants and Seeds, Soil, Textiles and Clothing, Trademarked and Copyrighted Articles

Please note: As requirements can change at short notice, please check with your local embassy or consulate to verify these requirements.