forgive my stupidity on the above question.--forgot to add that.

After you get your bags, you'll exit the customs area of any European airports through a door to the landside. If you have nothing to declare, you go through the green door and get out. If you have something to declare, you head to the red door/pathway/whatever to the customs area.

Even though physically you can carry all the weapons and drugs and alcohol and tobacco through the green door, it doesn't mean there's no customs at European airports or that you don't have to declare things. It's <b>the passengers' own responsibility</b> to go to the red channel and declare stuff when what you're bringing is exceeding the exempt amount allowed for the green channel.

It is unlike in the US, where someone will look at your customs form and look at you, and then tell you whether you can just walk out of customs or go through customs inspection.