World · Europe · 11 hrs ago
EU plans to cut allowances for bringing cigarettes and vape liquids into Germany
The EU plans to tighten limits on tobacco brought into Germany from other member states.
Many smokers buy cheaper cigarettes just across the border in Luxembourg, Austria, Poland or the Czech Republic.
The rules could reduce those purchases, but it is unclear whether they would increase legal cigarette sales within Germany.
Tobacco industry representatives warn the rules could boost the black market, as smokers may turn to illegal sellers.
The changes would also cut the amount of vape liquid people can bring from elsewhere in the EU, from 100 millilitres to 40 millilitres.
The EU plans to raise minimum taxes on e-cigarettes too, but that change would not affect Germany because its tax level is already relatively high.
The EU plans to reduce the amount of cigarettes people can bring into Germany from other EU countries.
The proposed change could affect purchases from Luxembourg, Austria, Poland and the Czech Republic.
The permitted amount of e-cigarette liquids brought into Germany from other EU countries is also set to fall, from 100 millilitres to 40 millilitres.
The article says the change to cigarette allowances could encourage some smokers to buy cigarettes illegally, according to tobacco industry representatives.
- Who
- The EU is planning the changes; people bringing cigarettes and e-cigarette liquids into Germany would be affected.
- What
- The EU plans to lower the cigarette allowance and cut the permitted amount of e-cigarette liquids from 100 millilitres to 40 millilitres.
- When
- The article was published on November 9, 2026. The changes’ start date is not stated.
- Where
- Germany, for goods brought from other EU countries.
- Why
- Not stated
EU
Tobacco industry representatives
Potential effects
EU
The EU plans to reduce the amounts people can bring into Germany from other EU countries.
Tobacco industry representatives
Industry representatives fear the rule could encourage smokers to buy cigarettes illegally.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Liquids allowance
- Set to fall from 100 millilitres to 40 millilitres
- Countries named
- Luxembourg, Austria, Poland and the Czech Republic
- Publication date
- November 9, 2026