Age checks for shipping alcohol, tobacco and vapes in Germany
Updated · Rotomal
Under § 10(3) and (4) JuSchG, tobacco, nicotine products and even nicotine-free e-cigarettes may not be offered to minors by mail order or sent to them. For alcohol, § 9 JuSchG prohibits handing it to minors but does not mention mail order explicitly. The safe route is therefore an age check at order and delivery with an identity check such as DHL Ident-Check, not only DHL's visual age check.
Which age applies?
| Goods | Age | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Beer, wine, sparkling wine and mixes | 16 | § 9(1) no. 1 JuSchG |
| Other alcoholic drinks, e.g. spirits | 18 | § 9(1) no. 2 JuSchG |
| Tobacco and nicotine products | 18, no mail order to minors | § 10(1) and (3) JuSchG |
| Nicotine-free e-cigarettes and e-shishas | 18, no mail order to minors | § 10(4) JuSchG |
Visual age check or Ident-Check?
| DHL service | What is checked | Price per DHL (7 Nov 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Alterssichtprüfung 16/18 | Minimum age of the person accepting; may go to household members of that age | €1.19 plus VAT per parcel |
| Ident-Check | Name and date of birth or minimum age by ID scan; recipient in person only | €2.99 plus VAT per parcel |
IT-Recht Kanzlei cites a 2014 ruling of the Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt (6 U 54/14) that found the visual age check insufficient for reliable authentication of the recipient. Ident-Check matches identity and age. DHL itself does not guarantee that either service meets every legal requirement.
Checklist for your shop
- Tag age-restricted items and set the age level per item.
- Set up an age check at order with a verification service that fits your platform.
- Book identity-checked delivery automatically for those orders; remove drop-off, neighbour and locker options.
- Tell buyers on the product page and at checkout that they must accept the parcel in person with ID.
- Define and document what happens on failed delivery and refund.
If you want it set up for you
Prüfpaket checks your shop for €19 and sets up the age check, ID-checked delivery and notices from €149, paid once. We never see your customers' ID.
Questions
Can I ship nicotine-free e-liquids to minors?
No. § 10(4) JuSchG extends the tobacco and nicotine product rules to nicotine-free products such as e-cigarettes and e-shishas and their containers.
How high can the fine be?
Up to €50,000 for most administrative offences under the Act, per § 28(5) JuSchG. This is not legal advice; ask a lawyer about your specific case.
Sources
- Gesetze im Internet: § 9 JuSchG Source: gesetze-im-internet.de
- Gesetze im Internet: § 10 JuSchG Source: gesetze-im-internet.de
- Gesetze im Internet: § 28 JuSchG Source: gesetze-im-internet.de
- DHL business customers: Ident-Check Source: dhl.de
- DHL: Leistungsbeschreibung DHL Paket, October 2026 (PDF, German) Source: dhl.de
- DHL business customers: Alterssichtprüfung Source: dhl.de
- IT-Recht Kanzlei: Age verification for age-restricted goods, which DHL service to book? (16 March 2021) Source: it-recht-kanzlei.de