Bringing Fruit In To Germany from USA
Sep 24, 2016, 3:47 pm
#1
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Bringing Fruit In To Germany from USA
I am traveling to Germany next week to visit some relatives. Some friends here in the US have asked if I would take along some pineapple and mango to give to their friends in Germany. I am willing to do it but am wondering if there is some hassle or prohibition about importation of fruit from the USA. I have not found anything online so perhaps it is not a problem. Anyone have insight on this?
Sep 24, 2016, 4:07 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2015
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It seems that pineapple and mango should be ok. That said, I don't see the point of bringing in those fruits. They are sold in Germany too. Unless they are explicitly US grown fruits, there's virtually no reason to make such a fuss. Moreover, I can't imagine that a pineapple or a mango from the US would still taste very good after spending +8 hours in a bag, getting bruised.
Sep 24, 2016, 4:48 pm
#4
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At a minimum, you will be required to declare the fruit and that will likely slow you down while you explain what you have any what it is for. That is a real hassle after a long-haul flight.
As WorldLux notes, these are sold in Germany. Why not buy some locally and take them to your friend's friends?
Alternatively, how close are these friends? This sort of request sets off all kinds of alarm bells for me.
As WorldLux notes, these are sold in Germany. Why not buy some locally and take them to your friend's friends?
Alternatively, how close are these friends? This sort of request sets off all kinds of alarm bells for me.
Sep 24, 2016, 5:35 pm
#6
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I totally understand that it is stupid to even entertain the request; I am sure the fruits are available in Germany. I am just trying to accommodate the request of an elderly friend who wants to send this gift to another elderly friend. There is nothing suspicious about the motivation here, but I agree with the comments that it is rather unnecessary to import fruit to Germany. That aside, however, I am willing to consider doing it for these specific people if that's what they really want. It seems possible based on some of the replies but if there are others that want to offer an opinion I am all ears.
Sep 24, 2016, 6:03 pm
#8
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I don't know the specific importation laws, but as someone who owns a house in Florida, I can tell you that the oranges I buy from our local grove bear no resemblance to those sold in Europe, and I bring back a big bag every time!
Sep 25, 2016, 2:39 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: QUL
Posts: 7
Dont get panic.
There is no need to declare or to show fruits at customs. Only food animal origin are prohibited.
By the way, if you enter US it is prohibited to bring fruits from outside.
However, even if its available in the country there are might laws not to bring. Potatoes for example are prohibited to bring from outside EU.
At the zoll respective customs homepage in Germany there are the rules listed, even in English. No need for speculation and guessing.
Enjoy Germany
There is no need to declare or to show fruits at customs. Only food animal origin are prohibited.
By the way, if you enter US it is prohibited to bring fruits from outside.
However, even if its available in the country there are might laws not to bring. Potatoes for example are prohibited to bring from outside EU.
At the zoll respective customs homepage in Germany there are the rules listed, even in English. No need for speculation and guessing.
Enjoy Germany
Sep 25, 2016, 2:45 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: QUL
Posts: 7
It seems that pineapple and mango should be ok. That said, I don't see the point of bringing in those fruits. They are sold in Germany too. Unless they are explicitly US grown fruits, there's virtually no reason to make such a fuss. Moreover, I can't imagine that a pineapple or a mango from the US would still taste very good after spending +8 hours in a bag, getting bruised.
Some states respective countries try to protect their farmers and also to try to protect their state from infected or genetic modified food which might cause problems to their products and kill the various types and sorts of fruits etc.
Iam in the food business and familiar with the regulations and laws. Doesn't matter if it's sold there or not. Sometimes the regulations are stupid but it is as it is.
Sep 25, 2016, 9:15 am
#11
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Dont get panic.
There is no need to declare or to show fruits at customs. Only food animal origin are prohibited.
By the way, if you enter US it is prohibited to bring fruits from outside.
However, even if its available in the country there are might laws not to bring. Potatoes for example are prohibited to bring from outside EU.
At the zoll respective customs homepage in Germany there are the rules listed, even in English. No need for speculation and guessing.
Enjoy Germany
There is no need to declare or to show fruits at customs. Only food animal origin are prohibited.
By the way, if you enter US it is prohibited to bring fruits from outside.
However, even if its available in the country there are might laws not to bring. Potatoes for example are prohibited to bring from outside EU.
At the zoll respective customs homepage in Germany there are the rules listed, even in English. No need for speculation and guessing.
Enjoy Germany
This is no different than the US. The standard CBP paper declaration (as well as GE electronic declaration) simply asks about "food". Once one answers "yes", it is either off to Ag or at least a stop to answer the "what food" question.
Sep 25, 2016, 1:33 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2015
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That's not what I meant. What I meant is, that you can get mangos and pineapples in Germany too. So unless you get locally produced fruit from the US, there's pretty much no point in transporting a goddamn pineapple thousands of miles. Otherwise, what's the point in transporting a pineapple, imported from Costa Rica. You get those in Europe as well.
Sep 26, 2016, 3:32 pm
#13
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You should follow what laws are in Germany.
But at the same time, I've noticed that every time I arrive in the early morning hours from a transatlantic flight, I've found the RED customs channel to be devoid of any personnel to make a declaration to.
But at the same time, I've noticed that every time I arrive in the early morning hours from a transatlantic flight, I've found the RED customs channel to be devoid of any personnel to make a declaration to.
Sep 26, 2016, 3:39 pm
#14
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