Importing vegetables to Germany
Feb 5, 2014 | 10:24 am
#1
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Importing vegetables to Germany
Living in California, we have some awesome veggies that are difficult to get in Germany. Our artichokes are the size of softballs, sweet white corn grows in abundance, and so on.
Some of my family have never had these as fresh veggies, and I wanted to take a box on my next trip. We use to do this many years ago ... in fact, back in the 1970s, I remember my father hand-carrying a well-packaged turkey (and a case of corn on the cob, fresh cranberries, etc) so we could fix a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for my German family.
But that was then, and this is now. Can fresh fruits and veggies be imported for personal use? Or, are there restrictions, similar to importing food items into the US?
Some of my family have never had these as fresh veggies, and I wanted to take a box on my next trip. We use to do this many years ago ... in fact, back in the 1970s, I remember my father hand-carrying a well-packaged turkey (and a case of corn on the cob, fresh cranberries, etc) so we could fix a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for my German family.
But that was then, and this is now. Can fresh fruits and veggies be imported for personal use? Or, are there restrictions, similar to importing food items into the US?
Feb 5, 2014 | 11:08 am
#2
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I did a Research on German, the English custom site (http://www1.zoll.de/english_version/...ood/index.html) is so so. It seems, that most vegetables aren`t a Problem. Excemptions are potatoes, mushrooms and vine. You can write an E-Mail ([email protected]) to custom, perhaps they answer your question
Feb 5, 2014 | 11:29 am
#3
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Hi,
if you don't bring meat or meat based products into the EU you should be fine, when it's for private use. There are some exceptions like mushrooms (-->chernobyl), caviar, potatoes and some more.
if you don't bring meat or meat based products into the EU you should be fine, when it's for private use. There are some exceptions like mushrooms (-->chernobyl), caviar, potatoes and some more.
Feb 5, 2014 | 12:15 pm
#4
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Thanks guys! Another ^ to FT!
I will write the Zoll and post their reply -- altho, as answered above, it should be fine.
I will write the Zoll and post their reply -- altho, as answered above, it should be fine.
Feb 8, 2014 | 4:50 am
#5
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You always have the chance to declare your goods on arrival (just take the red exit marked with "something to declare. The customs agent will take a look and decide if it is safe or not. Of course there is a slight risk that your food products will be confiscated but you don't have to worry about any legal problems.
Feb 8, 2014 | 10:53 am
#6
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Reply from the German Zoll:
Go figure!
I'll be in Germany and will ask next week.
For the importation from Asian, American, African states or Australia, you will always need a phytosanitary certificate issued by the country of origin for the plants, parts of plants or plant products you bring.
You will find these information under:
http://www1.zoll.de/english_version/...ion/index.html
Since you will not be able to otain such a certificate when you buy fruits an vegetables in the markets/from farmers, it is not allowed to import them into Germany.
The same prohibition applies to meat, milk and milk products (such as cheese).
However, both the German Embassy in Washington, DC and the German Consulate in San Francisco, CA have told me there is NO RESTRICTION on the import of vegetables for personal consumption.You will find these information under:
http://www1.zoll.de/english_version/...ion/index.html
Since you will not be able to otain such a certificate when you buy fruits an vegetables in the markets/from farmers, it is not allowed to import them into Germany.
The same prohibition applies to meat, milk and milk products (such as cheese).
Go figure!
I'll be in Germany and will ask next week.
Feb 10, 2014 | 10:31 am
#7
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I guess a civil servant has to be diplomatic when correcting the Embassy and the Consulate. 
A follow-up with the Zoll regarding conflicting information:
A follow-up with the Zoll regarding conflicting information:It appears you have been given wrong advise by both the Embassy and Consulate. If you are bringing any fruits or vegetables from the Americas (and other countries, as listed on our web site), you will always need a phytosanitary certificate issued by the country of origin for the plants, parts of plants or plant products you bring to Germany. Since you will not be able to obtain such a certificates when you buy fruits and vegetables in the markets/from farmers, it is not allowed to import them into Germany.
So, there you have it!
Feb 16, 2014 | 6:10 pm
#8
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I Travel a lot to Germany and i never see any Guy from the Custom.
Only one a Time in Salzburg the Ask me where i am Coming from thats it.
http://www.br.de/themen/ratgeber/inh...?version=a132b
But beware in Germany there are many Fake Food available.
And food that is prohibited in the other Country!
Only one a Time in Salzburg the Ask me where i am Coming from thats it.
http://www.br.de/themen/ratgeber/inh...?version=a132b
But beware in Germany there are many Fake Food available.
And food that is prohibited in the other Country!
Feb 16, 2014 | 11:45 pm
#9
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Lol...my family is in Ham so often, several of the customs officials know us by sight. Last Dec, one of the guys even said "in the Fatherland, again?" So, the HAM airport, at which I arrive with my luggage, always is occupied by staff.
Besides...whether or not the officials are present...if it is illegal, I won't do it.
Besides...whether or not the officials are present...if it is illegal, I won't do it.
Feb 21, 2014 | 8:01 am
#12
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You could still get a phytosanitary certificate. It doesn't have to be issued to the grower, just any exporter. That's not to say the time and monetary costs will be worth it, but it would be possible if they *really* wanted that produce.
Feb 26, 2014 | 12:23 am
#13
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When arriving in HAM last week, I asked the official at the Zoll. I have her name, badge number, etc documented. She said if for personal consumption, all veggies are allowed without certificates or papers; she said I can exit thru the "nothing to declare" channel. Meat is not allowed.
I'll bring next time, and if they stop me, I'll at least have her info.
I'll bring next time, and if they stop me, I'll at least have her info.
Feb 26, 2014 | 5:48 am
#14
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When arriving in HAM last week, I asked the official at the Zoll. I have her name, badge number, etc documented. She said if for personal consumption, all veggies are allowed without certificates or papers; she said I can exit thru the "nothing to declare" channel. Meat is not allowed.
I'll bring next time, and if they stop me, I'll at least have her info.
I'll bring next time, and if they stop me, I'll at least have her info.
Feb 26, 2014 | 1:25 pm
#15
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'Tis true. It's good to see that the German bureaucracy -- despite it's reputation as being bureaucratic -- is just as helplessly bureaucratic as the American bureaucracy!