Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners) - Clearing customs/immigration in transit

It has been a LOOONG time since I transitted DE airports on my way to EU destinations - hence I am asking this question. I ask it here simply because this ticket is on LH.

My friend is joining me for a trip in Europe and will fly SFO-MUC-BCN with luggage checked all the way through. Will he need to clear customs in MUC or BCN? As I remember it, German airport transfers are "sterile" and you would therefore go through a passport check then board your connecting flight. Later you clear customs at the EU destination airport.

I looked at the FRA, DUS and MUC airport websites but did not find this details.

You clear customs at BCN.

... and immigration in MUC.

Correct and correct!

Also, in theory, your hand baggage is supposed to be customs cleared, just after immigration, in MUC. But I've always seen the customs desk deserted there!

This is exactly what I thought and is consistent with most EU airports.

Thanks!

Correct and correct!

Also, in theory, your hand baggage is supposed to be customs cleared, just after immigration, in MUC. But I've always seen the customs desk deserted there!

Since Bird Flu is in town, these counters are manned again in FRA and MUC.

Since Bird Flu is in town, these counters are manned again in FRA and MUC.
Ahhh okay. Last I experienced them was at Sunday afternoon at MUC. Not a soul in sight!

Last Friday I got checked while leaving B in FRA. The customs guys took away half the hand luggage of a turkish lady which seemed to consist entirely of food. Also one guy had a telephone book sized packet of tobacco leaves in his handluggage which must have weighed a kilo. ;)

Also one guy had a telephone book sized packet of tobacco leaves in his handluggage which must have weighed a kilo. ;)

Ouch. Can you imagine the customs duties on that? :eek:

Ouch. Can you imagine the customs duties on that? :eek:

I once got caught with 200 cigs over the limit and had to pay 52€ (double the regular duty). So that guy must have parted with a bundle...