Jazmin Li
Frankfurt Airport is a large airport with flights often parking on the tarmac, requiring passengers to be bussed to and from the main terminal. The airport has an automated border control system called EasyPASS, which is available to citizens from Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, and the USA, as well as ePassport holders from the EU, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland. Customs stations for baggage are located in the baggage claim hall. If you are arriving from an EU member state, you generally do not need to complete any customs formalities, and you can use the green exit for goods exempt from declaration. For goods subject to declaration, use the red exit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location of customs stations for baggage | Baggage claim hall |
| Customs regulations | Generally, no customs formalities if arriving from an EU member state. |
| Luggage may be checked to comply with national prohibitions and restrictions (e.g., narcotics, weapons) | |
| Use the green exit for goods exempt from declaration when entering from an EU member state or carrying permitted allowances. | |
| Use the red exit for goods subject to declaration, including prohibited and restricted items, goods for trade or commercial use, and quantities exceeding permitted free amounts. | |
| Main Customs Office | Main Customs Office for Frankfurt am Main - Airport |
| Contact | [email protected] |
| Export confirmation for high-value devices | Customs can issue a free export confirmation to prove that a device was not purchased abroad and does not need to be cleared through customs on the return journey. |
| Border checks | ePassport or personal ID authentication through document scanners and biometric photograph comparison |
| EasyPASS | Available for eligible citizens from the EU, European Economic Area, Switzerland, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, and the USA. |
| General rule for customs at layovers | Customs procedures are typically completed at the final stop, but there may be exceptions, such as when entering the US or arriving from an airport with US pre-clearance. |
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What You'll Learn
Customs stations are in the baggage claim hall
If you are travelling to Frankfurt Airport from outside the EU, you will need to pass through customs. Customs stations are in the baggage claim hall.
If you are arriving from an EU member state, you generally do not need to complete any customs formalities. However, your luggage may be checked to comply with national prohibitions and restrictions, such as those on narcotics and weapons. If you are carrying goods that are prohibited or restricted, or that are intended for trade or commercial use, you must declare them.
If you are travelling with a high-quality device, you can obtain a free export confirmation from the customs counter before your departure. This will prove on your return journey that the device was not purchased abroad and does not need to be cleared through customs.
Frankfurt Airport offers automated border control with EasyPASS, which is available to holders of electronic passports from the EU, the European Economic Area, Switzerland, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, and the USA.
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EU arrivals use the green exit
If you are arriving at Frankfurt Airport from another EU country, you generally do not need to complete any customs formalities. However, your luggage may be checked to comply with national prohibitions and restrictions (e.g. on narcotics and weapons).
If you are entering from an EU country, or are not carrying more than the permitted allowances, use the green exit at customs inspection. The green exit is for goods that are exempt from declaration. This means that you are not carrying more than the permitted free quantities, and you are not carrying any goods intended for trade or commercial use.
After you have collected your luggage, follow the signs to the baggage claim area. You will then pass through the first customs check. If you have nothing to declare, go through the green gate, which will be signposted with the words "Nothing to declare" in English or "Anmeldefreie Waren" in German.
After passing through the green gate, follow the signs to passport control. If your passport is from an EU country, you can proceed directly to the central airport lounge. If your passport is not from an EU country, you will need to queue at the designated area for non-EU nationals.
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Red exit is for goods subject to declaration
If you are arriving at Frankfurt Airport from another EU member state, you generally do not need to complete any customs formalities. However, if you are carrying goods that are prohibited or restricted, or if you are carrying more than the permitted duty-free allowances, you must declare them to customs.
Frankfurt Airport, like other EU airports, has a colour-coded system to indicate which exit passengers should take. If you have nothing to declare, you can take the green exit and walk out. If you are carrying goods that are subject to declaration, you must take the red exit and speak to a customs officer. This includes goods that are prohibited or restricted, such as narcotics, weapons, and protected plant and animal species. It also includes goods intended for commercial or trading purposes, regardless of their value.
If you are unsure whether you need to declare your goods, it is always best to take the red exit and speak to a customs officer. They will be able to advise you on whether your items need to be declared. The red exit may sometimes be unstaffed, in which case you will need to push a button or use a telephone to summon a customs officer.
If you are bringing goods into Germany permanently for personal use or as a gift, value-based limits apply. If your goods are under the limit (and are not in a category subject to special restrictions), you do not need to declare them. However, if they are over the limit, you must declare them and pay any applicable duties or taxes.
It is important to note that there are separate regulations for importing high-value devices. If you are taking a high-quality device with you on your trip, you can obtain a free export confirmation from customs before your departure. This will prove on your return journey that the device was not purchased abroad and does not need to be cleared through customs.
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Cash controls at EU borders
At Frankfurt Airport, customs stations for baggage are located in the baggage claim hall. If you are arriving from an EU member state, you generally do not need to complete any customs formalities. However, to comply with national prohibitions and restrictions, your luggage may be checked.
The EU has strict regulations regarding cash controls at its borders. These regulations are in place to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. All travellers entering or leaving the EU are obliged to complete a cash declaration when carrying €10,000 or more (or the equivalent in other currencies, bonds, shares, or traveller's cheques). This includes cash sent by postal packages, courier shipments, unaccompanied luggage, or containerised cargo. The definition of 'cash' in these rules includes certain other valuable items such as gold bars, nuggets, or clumps with a high gold content, as well as bearer negotiable instruments like cheques and money orders.
The new Regulation on Cash Controls, which came into force on 3 June 2021, harmonises declaration practices across the EU. All EU countries now use standardised cash declaration forms to ensure consistent information collection. This regulation also introduced the obligation to disclose unaccompanied cash, allowing authorities to control movements of cash that are not carried by travellers, such as cash sent by post or courier.
Relevant authorities store information provided in cash declarations for five years before erasing it. This information is shared with national Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) and used to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. Member States also exchange information about cases of non-declaration and declarations linked to criminal activities, even for amounts lower than €10,000.
It is important to note that the obligation to declare cash applies to each individual, including minors and those under guardianship. If you are unsure whether you need to declare cash, it is recommended to seek advice from the competent authorities at the point of entry or exit of the EU. Failure to declare cash can result in penalties, including significant fines, as determined by each Member State.
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Automated border control with EasyPASS
The customs stations for baggage at Frankfurt Airport are located in the baggage claim hall. If you are arriving from an EU member state or are not carrying more than the permitted allowances, you can use the green exit at customs inspection. If you are carrying more than the permitted free quantities, goods for trade or commercial use, or prohibited goods, you must declare them using the red exit. Cash controls are carried out at borders with EU member states and the external borders of the European Union to prevent money from criminal acts from being imported.
Frankfurt Airport offers an Automated Border Control system with EasyPASS/EasyPASS-RTP, which allows travellers with e-passports or personal IDs to pass through border checks faster, often in just seconds. To use EasyPASS, place your e-passport or personal ID on the document scanner, which will read and authenticate the digital data stored on it. Then, step into the lock and look at the camera so that the system can compare the image with your biometric photograph. If the data matches, the lock will open, and you will have permission to proceed. This process will also be repeated when returning home after your trip.
EasyPASS is available in both terminals at Frankfurt Airport, next to the conventional border checks. It is accessible to travellers with electronic passports from the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland, as long as they are at least 12 years old. Appointments for EasyPASS-RTP registration and Global Entry pre-check can be made 24/7 by telephone or email. Without an appointment, waiting times may exceed 30 minutes.
Frankfurt Airport is a large airport where many flights park on the tarmac, requiring passengers to be bussed to and from the main terminal. With tight connection times, it is important to be prepared for potential delays and long walks to the gates.
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Frequently asked questions
The customs stations for baggage are located in the baggage claim hall.
If you are arriving from a country within the EU, you generally do not need to complete any customs formalities. If you are travelling from outside the EU, you will need to go through customs.
Your luggage may be checked to comply with national prohibitions and restrictions. If you are entering from an EU member state or are not carrying more than the permitted allowances, you can use the green exit at customs inspection. If you are carrying more than the permitted free quantities, you must declare them using the red exit.
If you are taking a high-quality device with you on your trip, you can get a free export confirmation from the customs counter at the airport before your departure. This will prove on the return journey that the device was not purchased abroad and does not need to be cleared through customs.
EasyPASS is an automated border control system available for holders of electronic passports (ePassports) from the EU, the European Economic Area and Switzerland, provided that they are at least 12 years old. Eligible citizens from Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan and the USA can also use EasyPASS after registering with the Federal Police at the airport.
