Shopping in Hungary
DUTY-FREE SHOPPING
Overview
The following articles can be imported into Hungary duty-free when entering from non-EU countries:
When entering by land: 40 cigarettes or 20 cigarillos or 10 cigars or 50 g tobacco;
For entry by air: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 g tobacco (from people over the age of 17).
1 liter of spirits with an alcohol content of more than 22% or 2 liters of spirits with an alcohol content of not more than 22% or sparkling wine;
4 l table wine;
16 liters of beer (from people older than 17 years);
Gifts / other goods up to a total value of € 430 (air and sea travel) or € 300 (travel by train / car); Children under 15 years of age generally € 150.
Import regulations
Travelers who bring meat and milk products into the EU from outside the European Union must register them. The regulation does not apply to the import of animal products from the EU countries as well as from Andorra, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland. Anyone who does not register these products must expect fines or criminal penalties.
Prohibited imports
Animal products that are not canned (e.g. meat, milk and dairy products) (see also import regulations). There is a general import ban on live poultry, meat and meat products from third countries (with the exception of the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland).
Import / export to the EU
The movement of goods within the EU is unrestricted for travelers, provided that the goods are intended for personal use and not for resale. In addition, the goods must not have been bought in duty-free shops. Proof of personal needs can be requested from travelers. Member States have the right to impose excise duties on spirits or tobacco products when these products are not intended for personal use.
The following maximum quantities apply as personal requirements:
800 cigarettes (people 17 and over);
400 cigarillos (people aged 17+);
200 cigars (people 17+);
1 kg tobacco (people aged 17 and over);
10 liters of high-proof alcoholic beverages (people aged 17 and over);
20 liters of fortified wine (e.g. port or sherry) (people aged 17 and over);
90 liters of wine (including a maximum of 60 liters of sparkling wine) (people aged 17 and over);
110 liters of beer (people aged 17+);
Perfumes and eau de toilette: No restrictions if it can be demonstrated that the amount is for personal consumption.
Medicines: amount according to personal needs during the trip.
Other goods: The movement of goods within the EU is unrestricted for travelers. However, gold alloys and gold plating in the unprocessed state or as a semi-finished product and fuel are excluded from this. Fuel may only be imported from an EC member state exempt from mineral oil tax if it is in the vehicle’s tank or in a reserve container carried with it. A fuel quantity of up to 10 liters in the reserve tank will not be rejected.
If additional quantities of these goods are carried, z. B. a wedding an event with which a bulk purchase could be justified.
Note: There are, however, certain exceptions to the regulation of the unrestricted movement of goods. They particularly concern the purchase of new vehicles and purchases for commercial purposes. (For more information on taxes on motor vehicles, see the European Commission’s guide “Buying goods and services in the internal market”).
Attention: 300 cigarettes (17+) can be imported from Hungary when entering Germany.
EU
Duty-free sales at airports and shipping ports have been abolished for travel within the EU. Only travelers who leave the EU can shop cheaply in the duty-free shop. When importing goods into an EU country that were bought in duty-free shops in another EU country, the same travel allowances and the same travel allowance apply as when entering from non-EU countries.
SHOP
Overview
Popular souvenirs are embroidered blouses and tablecloths, Herend and Zsolnay porcelain, woodwork and costume dolls. Bargain hunters should try their luck in Budapest at the Ecseri flea market or the so-called ‘Chinese market’ near the Kerepesi cemetery; There is a wide selection of antiques and knickknacks on both markets.
In Hungary you can find numerous foods and drinks that are ideal as souvenirs, such as sausages and spicy salami, tons of peppers, canned food with foie gras, caviar, wine and spirits. The best salami comes from Szeged in the south of the country. Caviar is relatively expensive and comes from Russia rather than Hungary. Paprika is available in seven different degrees of heat from mild to very hot and is offered in special gift boxes, which makes it a good souvenir for those who stayed at home. All of these goodies can be found in the markets in Budapest. The largest selection can be found in the Nagy Vásárcsarnok (Great Market Hall) in the center of Pest, which offers groceries and fresh produce on the ground floor and handicrafts on the upper floor.
Opening hours
Most shops open Mon-Wed, Fri 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Thu 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.-1 p.m., grocery stores usually open Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Shopping centers are open Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Annotation
Tobacco products and spirits are sold in special shops without window displays; minors are not allowed in here.
