German Phrase
Nein, ich hab nichts zu verzollen.
Meaning
Literally: “No, I have nothing to declare (to customs).” The speaker is answering a customs officer’s question about whether they are bringing any goods that need to be declared for tax or duty purposes.
When to use
Use this sentence at border checkpoints, airports, or any situation where a customs officer asks you “Haben Sie etwas zu verzollen?” It shows that you are not carrying any taxable items.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Nein,ichhabnichtszuverzollen.
Colloquial verb form
"hab" is the spoken contraction of "habe" (first‑person singular of "haben"). In formal writing use "ich habe".
Negation with "nichts"
"nichts" means "nothing" and is used with the infinitive construction "zu + verb" to express "nothing to do".
"zu + infinitive" after "nichts"
When a noun or pronoun is negated with "nichts", the following verb appears in the infinitive with "zu" (e.g., "nichts zu sagen").
Verb "verzollen"
"verzollen" means “to declare (goods) to customs”. It is a formal term used at borders and airports.
🗨In Conversation
Haben Sie etwas zu verzollen?
Do you have anything to declare?
Nein, ich hab nichts zu verzollen.
No, I have nothing to declare.
✕Common Mistakes
Nein, ich hab nichts zu verkaufen.
Learners sometimes confuse "verzollen" (to declare to customs) with "verkaufen" (to sell).
Nein, ich hab nichts verzollen.
The infinitive must be introduced by "zu" after "nichts"; omitting it is ungrammatical.
Nein, ich hab nichts zu verzollen.
In formal contexts, use "ich habe" instead of the colloquial "ich hab".
↔Alternatives
Nein, ich habe nichts zu deklarieren.
No, I have nothing to declare.
Nein, ich habe nichts zu melden.
No, I have nothing to report.
Nein, ich habe nichts zu verzollen.
No, I have nothing to declare.
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking countries customs officers typically ask "Haben Sie etwas zu verzollen?" The verb "verzollen" is specific to customs and differs from the everyday verb "verkaufen" (to sell). When speaking to officials, it’s safer to use the full form "ich habe"; "ich hab" is perfectly natural in casual conversation but may sound too informal in a formal setting.