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Free Import when travelling within EU

Although there are no limits on the amount of alcohol and tobacco one can bring in from EU countries, customs officials are more likely to ask you questions if you have more than:

Tobacco products:

- 800 cigarettes;
- 400 cigarillos (max. 3g each);
- 200 cigars;
- 1kg smoking tobacco;

Alcoholic beverages:

- 10 litres of spirits over 22%;
- 20 litres of alcoholic beverages less than 22%;
- 90 litres of wine (though no more than 60 litres of sparkling wine);
- 110 litres of beer.
These quantities can be seized if customs are satisfied that they are of a commercial nature.

Free Import quantities when travelling from outside EU

Alcohol and alcoholic beverages
Over 17 years olds can bring (in personal luggage) the following quantities:
• 1 litre of alcohol that does not exceed 22% volume of alcohol, or un-denatured ethyl alcohol 80% volume and over
• 2 litres of alcohol that does not exceeds 22% volume of alcohol
• 4 litres of still wine
• 16 litres of beer.
The passengers can combine the first two types of alcohol as long the alcohol volume does not exceed 100%.
Over 17 years old that belong to the following categories:
• persons residing in the frontier zone (the region beyond the expanding borders of the European Union, including: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro)
• frontier-zone workers,
• the crews of means of transport used between third countries and the Community,
may bring (in your personal luggage) alcohol in the following quantities:
• 0,5 litre of alcohol exceeding 22% volume, or un-denatured ethyl alcohol of 80% volume and over
• a total of 0,5 litre of alcohol and alcoholic beverages of an alcoholic strength not exceeding 22% volume
• 0,5 litre of still wine
• 2 litres of beer.
The passengers can combine the first two types of alcohol as long the alcohol volume does not exceed 100%.
Note that the consideration of what constitutes frontier countries lies entirely with EU and the list outlined above may change.

Tobacco products

When travelling by air or sea , over 17 years old can bring tobacco products for personal use only the following:
• 200 cigarettes or
• 100 cigarillos or
• 50 cigars or
• 250 g of smoking tobacco.
Each amount specified in above points will amount to 100% of the total allowance for tobacco products.
When travelling by land, over 17 years old can bring tobacco products for personal use only the following:
• 40 cigarettes or
• 20 cigarillos or
• 10 cigars or
• 50 grams of smoking tobacco.
Each amount specified in all the points will amount to 100% of the total allowance for tobacco products.

Other goods

• Medication – for personal use only
• Personal items of non-commercial nature worth up to 430 euro when travelling by air or sea
• Personal items of non-commercial nature worth up to 300 euro when travelling by land
• Personal items of non-commercial nature worth up to 150 euro for travellers under 15 years of age.
Non-commercial item are of an occasional nature and consist exclusively of goods for the personal or family use of the traveller, or of goods intended as presents. The nature and quantity of the goods must not be such as to indicate that they are being imported for commercial reasons.

Prohibited

• Meat and milk and any items thereof from non-EU countries with the exception of limited amounts from Andorra, Croatia, the Faeroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland and small amounts of specific products from other countries
• Protected species and products thereof as listed by the CITES (Washington Convention) for example ivory, tortoise shell, coral, reptile skin, wood from Amazonian forests.


Restricted

• pets need to be identifiable (tattoo or an electronic identification system), vaccinated against rabies and have a health certificate. For more information please refer to the nearest embassy.
• maximum of 10 kg of meat, milk and dairy products coming from Croatia, Færøer Islands, Greenland and Iceland
• powdered milk for babies, food for children and special medical food (including pets food) may be allowed if they need not to be refrigerated prior opening and that it is brand packaged food and the packaging has original seal (unless in use at the time) and its quantity must not exceed the weight of 10 kg originating from Croatia, Færøer Islands, Greenland and Iceland, and of 2 kg if originating in other countries.
• fish only if it is disembowelled and does not exceed the weight of 20 kg,
• Currency - no restrictions if coming from EU countries. Declarable for all travelling outside EU when the amount exceeds 10.000 euro or equivalent in another currency.
• coats, fur and leather shoes made of protected animals will need special authorization

Free Export

• No restriction for the quantity and value of exported items when leaving non EU Country.

Prohibited

• See Import (when travelling to another EU country)

Restricted (dependent on declaring)

• Currency - no restrictions if leaving for another EU country. Declarable for all travelling outside EU when the amount exceeds 10.000 euro or equivalent in another currency.

Basic health information for travelers to Hungary

• Meat, fruit and vegetables should be perfectly safe to eat but should still be thoroughly cooked and served boiling hot to be sure.

• Tick –Borne Encephalitis is present in rural or wooden sections of the country and any travellers engaging in outdoor activities or simply travelling through the region should take appropriate precautions to prevent any possible chance of infection. Suggested countermeasures include wearing close clothing and obtaining plenty of insect repellent for both clothing and skin.

• Travellers should avoid any wild dogs or other animals that might be infected with Rabies. If bitten, travellers should immediately clean the wound and seek medical attention to check for signs of infection before symptoms develop.

• All travellers to the country should exercise normal precautions when dealing with bloody or dirty needles or if engaging in sexual activity during your visit.

• UK travellers are advised to obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before beginning their journey. This card will entitle foreign travellers to emergency medical aid but insurance is still recommended in the event of serious accident or illness. The general standard of healthcare is considered reasonable in the major cities but more unreliable in more remote section of the country. Some hospitals may ask for immediate cash for services rendered.

Basic security information for travelers to Hungary

• Although relatively minor compared to other countries, incidents of petty theft and violence have been reported in the capital Budapest and at other locations throughout Hungary. All travellers visiting the region are advised to take care when visiting public places and to keep their passport and other valuables in a safe location at all times. Potential travellers to Hungary will also need to keep their passport with them at all times with copies not being acceptable replacements in this country. Additional precautions include avoiding any travel alone after dark and obvious public displays of wealth which could serve to attract unwanted attention.

• Visitors to the countries bars and other popular social hotspots should take care to avoid being conned into paying exorbitant amounts of money for any food or drinks on offer and should check all prices before ordering anything to drink in these or similar locations throughout the country.

• Anti government protests have been known to occur inside the country and have turned violent in the past. Travellers to the country are urged to avoid any large gatherings or crowds which could potentially turn violent and check the countries local social and political situation prior to beginning your visit.

• Travellers planning on driving through Hungary are advised to take care if visiting the more isolated areas of the country. Although most roads in Budapest and other major cities should be reasonably safe, travel conditions may become more hazardous in poorer and more isolated sections of the country with lighting and animals likely to be a serious hazard to potential drivers.

• Although not illegal, gay venues have come under occasional attack and all same sex couples are urged to avoid any public displays of affection which could serve to attract unwanted and potentially dangerous attention

For further assistance, please contact the Hungarian Customs authorities directly. They will provide the latest information about customs regulations and export-import procedures.

Address:
H-1095 Budapest
Mester u. 7.
Telephone: +3613016951
Website: http://vam.gov.hu/welcomeEn.do


For additional information about travel restrictions, security warnings, political updates, and basic travel guidelines, please contact the nearest Hungarian Embassy..