- Legal Basis
- § 30 Abs. 1 Nr. 4 BtMG
- Sentencing Range
- Imprisonment from one to fifteen years; in less serious cases imprisonment from three months to five years
- Summary
- Importing narcotics into the federal territory without authorisation
Importing Narcotics (Section 30(1) No. 4 BtMG)
Importing narcotics into Germany is among the most severely punished drug offences under German law. Even bringing small quantities across the federal border can result in a substantial prison sentence. Law enforcement agencies work closely with German customs, making border checks, postal surveillance, and international legal assistance common triggers for criminal investigations — a reality that affects expats and international travellers in particular.
Legal Basis
Section 30(1) No. 4 of the German Narcotics Act (BtMG) provides:
“Anyone who imports narcotics in a not insignificant quantity without authorisation shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than two years.”
For smaller quantities, Section 29(1) No. 1 BtMG applies, carrying a penalty of up to five years’ imprisonment or a fine. A less serious case under Section 30(2) BtMG provides for imprisonment from three months to five years.
Elements of the Offence
Narcotics: The substance must be listed in one of the Annexes I to III of the BtMG. This includes cannabis, cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, MDMA, and synthetic cannabinoids (so-called “legal highs” insofar as they fall under the BtMG).
Importing: Import means bringing a narcotic substance from abroad across the border into German territory. The offence is complete the moment the national border is crossed — regardless of whether the accused personally crosses the border or the substance enters Germany through third parties or postal delivery.
Not insignificant quantity: For the aggravated offence under Section 30(1) No. 4 BtMG, the quantity must exceed the judicially established threshold of a “not insignificant quantity.” Examples: 7.5 g THC (cannabis), 5 g cocaine hydrochloride, 1.5 g heroin hydrochloride, 10 g amphetamine base.
Without authorisation: Without the permit required under Section 3 BtMG. A medical prescription alone is insufficient for cross-border transport; a special permit under Section 4 BtMG or the Schengen Implementation Convention is required.
Intent: The perpetrator must at least accept the possibility of bringing narcotics across the border. For courier trips, conditional intent regarding the type and quantity of the transported substance suffices.
Typical Methods of Commission
Common scenarios include personal importation in luggage or on the body (so-called “body packing”), ordering via the darknet with postal delivery from abroad, use of transport vehicles with hidden compartments, organised courier transports across the border, and importation via EU transit countries to obscure the origin of the substances.
Sentencing Range
Importation of a not insignificant quantity (Section 30(1) No. 4 BtMG) carries a minimum sentence of two years’ imprisonment. In less serious cases (Section 30(2) BtMG), the sentence ranges from three months to five years’ imprisonment. For smaller quantities (Section 29(1) No. 1 BtMG), the penalty is up to five years’ imprisonment or a fine. In particularly serious cases, such as gang-related importation (Section 30a BtMG), the minimum sentence is five years’ imprisonment.
Typical Defence Strategies
A key starting point is scrutinising the quantity determination. What matters is the active substance content, not the gross weight — a flawed analysis can make the difference between the basic offence and the aggravated form. Furthermore, the accused’s knowledge of what was being transported is critically examined: did the courier actually know what they were carrying? Exclusionary rules for unlawfully obtained evidence also play a major role, for example in cases of unlawful searches, impermissible telecommunications surveillance, or violations of the right to be informed. For first-time offenders and smaller quantities, suspended sentences or deferral of sentence execution in favour of therapy (Section 35 BtMG) may be pursued.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wann liegt eine Drug Importation vor?
Die Einfuhr ist das Verbringen von Betäubungsmitteln über die deutsche Grenze (§ 30 BtMG). Bei einer nicht geringen Menge handelt es sich um ein Verbrechen mit erhöhtem Strafrahmen.
Welche Strafe droht?
Bei der Einfuhr nicht geringer Mengen sieht das Gesetz eine Mindestfreiheitsstrafe von zwei Jahren vor (§ 30 BtMG). Minder schwere Fälle sowie Aufklärungshilfe (§ 31 BtMG) können die Strafe erheblich mildern.
Droht Pre-Trial Detention?
Bei Einfuhrvorwürfen wird häufig Pre-Trial Detention angeordnet. Schnelle Akteneinsicht und eine Haftprüfung sind entscheidend.
Muss ich zur Polizei, wenn ich als Beschuldigter vorgeladen werde?
Einer rein polizeilichen Police Summons müssen Sie als Beschuldigter nicht folgen, und Sie sind nie verpflichtet, sich zur Sache zu äußern. Einer Ladung der Staatsanwaltschaft oder des Gerichts sollten Sie folgen – schweigen dürfen Sie aber auch dort.
Sollte ich vor der Akteneinsicht aussagen?
In aller Regel nein. Ohne Kenntnis der Ermittlungsakte lässt sich nicht beurteilen, welche Beweise vorliegen. Eine Einlassung sollte erst nach Akteneinsicht und in Abstimmung mit dem Verteidiger erfolgen.
Kann ein Strafverfahren eingestellt werden?
Ja. Je nach Beweislage kommen eine Einstellung mangels hinreichenden Tatverdachts (§ 170 II StPO), wegen Geringfügigkeit (§ 153 StPO) oder gegen Auflagen (§ 153a StPO) in Betracht. Nach Akteneinsicht prüfen wir die Möglichkeiten.
Summons or accusation of Drug Importation? What matters now
Make no statement to the police at first
As an accused person you are never obliged to comment on the allegation. Anything said to the police can be used against you. Provide statements only through your defense attorney and only after reviewing the case file.
File inspection comes first
A sound defense against the allegation of Drug Importation requires knowledge of the investigation file. Only once the available evidence is clear can we decide whether a statement is advisable or whether remaining silent is the better strategy.
Possible discontinuation of proceedings
Not every case ends in a main hearing. Depending on the evidence and any prior record, the proceedings may be discontinued for lack of sufficient suspicion (§ 170 II StPO), for triviality (§ 153 StPO) or subject to conditions (§ 153a StPO). Often a penalty order without a public trial can be achieved.
Victim-offender mediation and restitution
In many cases, victim-offender mediation or making good the damage (§ 46a StGB) can significantly reduce the sentence or enable a discontinuation. Whether this is advisable in your case is something we assess based on the file.
What we do after reviewing the file
We examine the evidence for reliability and admissibility, look for procedural errors, develop the defense strategy, negotiate with the public prosecutor on a discontinuation and represent you, if necessary, in the main hearing before the District Court or Regional Court of Bonn.
Available 24/7: +49 228 504 463 36
This information does not replace a review of the individual case. In criminal proceedings, the defence strategy depends substantially on the case file, the specific allegation and the evidence.
Why BAFTEH Strafverteidigung?
- Direct contact with your defense attorney – no intermediaries
- Available around the clock, including nights and weekends
- Fast file inspection and a clear defense strategy
- Focused exclusively on criminal law
- Defense in Bonn, Cologne and the entire region
Written by attorney Philip Bafteh, criminal defense lawyer in Bonn. Philip Bafteh publishes regularly on criminal and commercial law and defends accused persons in investigative and trial proceedings.
More about the attorney →Last updated: Juni 2026
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