On January 23, the Customs Investigation Office in Essen, Germany, announced that during an enforcement operation on January 16, they seized 50 European standard trays containing illegal e-cigarettes.
Authorities conducted raids at four company addresses, three warehouses, and three residences in Dusseldorf, Monchengladbach, Hermskirch, Herne, and Wuppertal. They are investigating three Afghan and Chinese citizens, aged between 25 and 42, for allegedly importing, storing, and reselling e-cigarettes in Germany without paying taxes and not meeting circulation standards.
The main customs office in Duisburg discovered irregular operations during a tax regulation inspection of a wholesale e-cigarette dealer, prompting an investigation to be launched. According to the investigation by the Essen Customs Investigation Bureau, three other companies in Monchengladbach, Dusseldorf, and Wegberg are also suspected of being involved in the illegal import, storage, and sale of e-cigarettes.
During the search process, investigators found eight trays containing nearly 30,000 illegal e-cigarettes in a warehouse in Monchengladbach, resulting in an estimated tax loss of around 150,000 euros. In a warehouse in Hermskeil, approximately 42 trays of illegal e-cigarettes were discovered, with the exact tax loss to be determined after further calculation.
Starting from July 1, 2022, Germany will impose taxes on tobacco alternatives such as e-cigarette liquid. The current tax on tobacco is 0.26 euros per milliliter. Any violations will be subject to legal and tax consequences.
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