Carrying cash from China to Germany
Two separate rules apply to any cash journey: one where you leave, one where you arrive.
Do you need to declare?
Part of this route is a hard limit, not paperwork. Leaving China, General Administration of Customs of China caps what you may carry at CNY 20,000, a prohibition, not a form. Entering Germany, Germany customs authority (EU cash controls) requires a declaration above EUR 10,000. The two rules are independent: satisfying one does not satisfy the other.
The two legs
| Leg | Limit | Form | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leaving China | max CNY 20,000 | Customs declaration form | General Administration of Customs of China |
| Entering Germany | EUR 10,000 | EU Cash Declaration Form | Germany customs authority (EU cash controls) |
The same ¥20,000 cap applies on departure. Foreign currency above USD 5,000 is released on the strength of the declaration made on your last entry, so keep the endorsed copy, without it, customs releases only what a certificate from the Foreign Exchange Bureau or an authorised bank covers.
Applies when entering the EU from a non-EU country. No declaration is required when travelling between EU member states.
If you do not declare
Germany: Cash may be detained and penalties applied under national law.
There is no limit on how much you may legally carry in either direction, the duty is to report it, not to keep under it. Failing to report is the offence.
Currencies
China uses CNY; Germany uses EUR.
Sources: rules as of 22 September 2026. This is general information, not legal advice; always check the official authority before travelling.