Customs Declarations
 

I'm getting ready to leave on a trip to England, France, Italy, and Germany. Having never traveled out of the country before, I had a question about Customs policies.

I know when returning to the U.S. (my home), all items I bought abroad must be declared. I was curious however, if I must declare items bought in each European country when travelling to another European country (e.g. travelling from England to France).

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I appreciate the help. Thanks!

No.

France, Germany and Italy are in the Schengen Agreement that in theory abolishes Customs checks at borders inside the countries that belong to it - thus you will rarely see any Customs agents at those borders. Fortress UK is not a member and has thorough Customs checks upon entry but mainly questions as to how much money you may have to be sure you can afford your stay and that you are not planning to stay put in the UK, etc. But no like Russ says they do not ask you to declare anything though they may inspect your baggage and presumably if you have an inordinate amount of high-priced goods ask you to declare it - it is not the free pass between Schengen countries where you only pass thru Customs when entering one and when exiting the bloc.

I have yet to be questioned by anyone in "Fortress UK" about how much money I have. Even when I arrive in that country having traveled in First Class (rare, but it has happened) I am always attired in THE most comfortable attire possible (IOW looking like a vagrant by some people's standards) and I still have never been questioned.

Perhaps it is because when they ask me where I am staying I always say Buckingham Palace.

No customs problems in Europe, even in the rare occasions where you must walk past them.

younger folk are often asked about funds entering the UK - I have been asked more than once as well and I ain't anything near young looking - but again do not perhaps inspire confidence that I am not trying to get in and on the dole! It may depend on how swarthy you look as well.

PalenQ is confusing customs and immigration.
Schengen has nothing to do with customs checks.

All EU countries have free import of goods from other EU countries.
You should look into tax rebates for goods you buy in the EU and export to the US.
You don't need to declare anything you are intending to take back out with you, and though in theory you should declare goods above a certain value that you are importing and leaving behind, in practice if you just walk through the green channel you will have no problem.

Since the corect answer has not yet been given,
look here for max. amounts allowed for intra Schengen travel.

http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs...u/index_en.htm

Thank you, all!

logos, as always, is talking gibberish.

There are NO rules for merchandise imports within Schengen: Schengen rules apply to people, not merchandise.

There are NO rules for "max. amounts allowed for intra EU travel.". There are no restrictions on the amount of ANYTHING a traveller may take between EU countries. The fundamental principle of the EU is totally uncontrolled trade between member states.

The ONLY restrictions on merchandise movements between EU countries are:
1. Some absolute bans on carrying some products (like guns or listed drugs) into some countries under practically any circumstances
2. The maximum amount of some products (mostly booze and cigarettes) that you have an absolute right to carry across an intra-EU border <b> without having to pay excise duty</b> . You may take as much wine from France to Britain, for example, as you like. But UK Customs might, if you have no good reason - like a party - for importing over 90 litres of wine impose UK excise duty and VAT on the excess over 90 litres.

Logos purports to live here. How it's possible for her to function without knowing the basic rules of cross border travel beggars belief.

Since it seems, you're able to read, open the link where you'll find the max amounts permitted unless you have proof it's for private consumption (except cigarettes). Is it to difficult for flanneur?

and I'll never move to England, that's for sure. So don't you worry.