Border crossing

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At a border crossing point, also border crossing point or border crossing point (GÜST or GÜST; GDR designation), the border between two states can be crossed legally. The term state is to be understood in a broader sense, since demarcation lines to de facto autonomous regions can also act as a border, e.g. B. between the Republic of Cyprus and Northern Cyprus. Depending on the country of entry or exit, various formalities may be required during the transfer.

In addition to a regulated border crossing, border crossings are often used for routine checks on passenger and freight traffic. The aim is to prevent illegal border crossings and smuggling. Temporarily, these controls also fulfil sealing purposes in order to distinguish themselves from damage or war events in the neighboring country. In 1986, for example, on the occasion of the Chernobyl reactor disaster, people and goods were examined for radioactive contamination at the borders with Western Europe and were cleaned or rejected if necessary. Enhanced checks also take place in connection with search operations.

Border control is the responsibility of the relevant border management and customs authorities. The interaction between the two neighbouring states also determines the form of border controls, which are then applied more strictly or more loosely. Since these are part of the respective border protection concept, strict controls are also to be expected at highly protected borders. Accordingly, in the case of a so-called green border, the controls are generally less strict or are not carried out at all. shall be carried out only on a random basis or in the specific case of suspicion.

Design of border crossing points

Depending on the means of transport, border crossings can be divided into:
for pedestrian traffic: control posts may be at the crossing point or separately, so that between the two posts there is a more or less wide area called no man’s land. They often serve the so-called small border traffic.
Cross-border hiking trails, for example in the mountains, are generally not considered as border crossings under German law.
for road transport: checkpoints at road crossings may be located directly in a building or separately, so that a more or less wide area, called no man's land, lies between the two points. In order to facilitate the transport of goods in transit, there are various agreements (e.g. TIR). Especially on high-ranking roads, both border control posts are occasionally located together a bit in one country and are open to cross-arriving pedestrians.
for rail transport: In order to ensure the shortest possible border stay of the train, a railway station is usually designated as a border station in both states. If there are agreements between the neighbouring states, the border guards commute between the two stations and carry out the checks