German drivers risk fines for smuggling cheap fuel across borders
German drivers crossing borders for cheaper fuel could face unexpected costs. While neighbouring countries like Belgium and Poland offer lower prices, customs checks are tightening. Authorities are now targeting those bringing back untaxed fuel in jerry cans.
As of March 8, 2026, fuel prices in Eupen, Belgium, stood at €1.64 per litre for gasoline and €1.79 for diesel. These rates are often far lower than in Germany, prompting some motorists to fill up abroad. However, German customs has increased inspections at the Polish and Czech borders to crack down on 'fuel tourists' carrying untaxed supplies.
Under German law, private individuals may transport up to 20 litres of fuel in a spare canister, on top of their vehicle's tank, without paying customs duties. This allowance applies only to personal use, though state-level variations remain unclear. The ADAC, Germany's largest motoring organisation, recommends carrying no more than 10 litres in reserve cans for safety reasons.
Rules on fuel quantities also depend on the destination. While some countries permit larger amounts, exceeding limits can lead to fines. Drivers risk penalties if they bring back more than allowed, even if the fuel was purchased legally abroad.
The crackdown means drivers must now carefully check fuel allowances before crossing borders. Carrying excessive amounts—even in small jerry cans—could result in hefty fines. With customs checks on the rise, the cost of cheap foreign fuel may no longer be worth the risk.
Read also:
- American teenagers taking up farming roles previously filled by immigrants, a concept revisited from 1965's labor market shift.
- Weekly affairs in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Landslide claims seven lives, injures six individuals while they work to restore a water channel in the northern region of Pakistan
- Escalating conflict in Sudan has prompted the United Nations to announce a critical gender crisis, highlighting the disproportionate impact of the ongoing violence on women and girls.
