German Phrase
Was kostet der Zoll?
Meaning
The sentence asks about the price of customs duties or fees. It is typically used when you need to know how much you have to pay at a border checkpoint, airport, or when shipping goods internationally.
When to use
Use this phrase at customs counters, when speaking with shipping companies, or when asking a German speaker about import fees. It works both in formal and informal contexts, though adding a polite opener (e.g., 'Entschuldigung') is common in public settings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
WaskostetderZoll?
Was (interrogative pronoun)
Used to ask 'what' in a question; it does not change with case.
kosten (verb)
Means 'to cost'. In present tense third person singular it becomes 'kostet'.
der (definite article)
Masculine nominative singular; 'Zoll' is a masculine noun, so 'der' is required.
Zoll (noun)
Means 'customs duty' or 'customs office'. It is masculine (der Zoll).
🗨In Conversation
Was kostet der Zoll?
How much does the customs fee cost?
Der Zoll beträgt 20 Euro für dieses Paket.
The customs fee is 20 euros for this package.
✕Common Mistakes
Was kostet die Zoll?
Zoll is masculine, so the correct article is 'der', not 'die'.
Was kosten der Zoll?
The verb must agree with the singular noun; 'kostet' is correct, not 'kosten'.
Was kostet der Zöll?
The noun is spelled 'Zoll' without an umlaut or extra 'l'.
↔Alternatives
Wie hoch ist der Zoll?
How high is the customs fee?
Wie viel kostet der Zoll?
How much does the customs cost?
Wie viel muss ich für den Zoll zahlen?
How much do I have to pay for customs?
Cultural Tip
In Germany, customs fees depend on the type of goods, their value, and whether they come from within the EU. The word 'Zoll' can also refer to the customs office itself, so you might hear 'Ich muss zum Zoll gehen.' When asking at a public counter, it’s polite to start with 'Entschuldigung' or 'Bitte' to soften the request.