German Customs Seize 210,000 Illegal E-Cigarettes, Suffering €1.4 Million in Tax Losses

Feb.04.2025
German Customs Seize 210,000 Illegal E-Cigarettes, Suffering €1.4 Million in Tax Losses
German customs seized large quantities of illegal cigarettes and e-cigarettes in Hesse and Saarland, causing an estimated €1.4 million tax loss.

According to a report by Zeit on February 3, German customs in Hesse and Saarland seized a large quantity of illegal cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Customs officials stated that in a warehouse in Saarbrücken alone, 47 Euro standard pallets filled with unauthorized e-cigarettes were confiscated.


The shipment included 210,000 e-cigarette products intended for consumers in Germany and other EU member states. It is estimated that this case resulted in tax revenue losses of around 1.4 million euros.


Furthermore, investigators seized over 1.6 million illegal cigarettes, water pipes, and cash in Hesse in early January. It is believed that the cigarettes were untaxed and likely counterfeit, and the individuals involved have been arrested.


German law stipulates that the pod capacity of each e-cigarette cannot exceed 2 milliliters. Customs officials have stated, "The seized e-cigarette liquids have a much higher content than the permitted filling amount, and were not properly taxed according to the law.


We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Cyprus Bill to Regulate Nicotine Pouches Expected to Reach House Plenary in Early April
Cyprus Bill to Regulate Nicotine Pouches Expected to Reach House Plenary in Early April
A proposed law to regulate nicotine pouches in Cyprus is expected to reach the House plenary session in early April. The bill, submitted by Diko MP Chrysis Pantelidis, aims to establish a regulatory framework governing the marketing, composition and quality of nicotine pouches currently circulating on the market and to incorporate them into existing smoking control legislation.
Mar.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Haypp Voluntarily Sets a 20 mg Nicotine-Strength Cap for Nicotine Pouches and Urges the UK to Establish a Regulatory Limit
Haypp Voluntarily Sets a 20 mg Nicotine-Strength Cap for Nicotine Pouches and Urges the UK to Establish a Regulatory Limit
Online nicotine pouch retailer Haypp said it has voluntarily adopted a 20 mg per pouch nicotine-strength cap across its e-commerce platforms and is urging the UK government to formalize that cap as the limit as it develops a regulatory framework. Haypp said proportionate limits would protect consumers while preserving nicotine pouches as a viable reduced-risk alternative to cigarettes.
Feb.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Fontem Sues FDA Over Refusal-to-File Decision for Nicotine Pouch PMTAs
Fontem Sues FDA Over Refusal-to-File Decision for Nicotine Pouch PMTAs
According to a complaint filed on March 17 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fontem US, LLC and Texas retailer OM Investment, LLC sued the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services over FDA’s refusal-to-file decision for certain Zone nicotine pouch PMTAs.
Mar.19 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Special Report|Reynolds’ 337 Patent Case Ends, but a Harsher 337 Compliance Battle Now Targets the Entire Vape Supply Chain
Special Report|Reynolds’ 337 Patent Case Ends, but a Harsher 337 Compliance Battle Now Targets the Entire Vape Supply Chain
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has terminated Investigation 337-TA-1410 after invalidating key vape patent claims asserted by R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company, removing the immediate risk of import bans for dozens of companies. However, a new case—337-TA-1486—has already opened a more consequential legal front, shifting the focus from patent disputes to regulatory compliance across the vape supply chain, including PACT Act reporting, tax compliance, and FDA marketing authorization.
BAT
Mar.11
Indonesia’s vape retailers adopt 21+ signage and ID verification requirements, report says
Indonesia’s vape retailers adopt 21+ signage and ID verification requirements, report says
RetailNews Asia reported that the Association of Indonesian Vape Retailers (Arvindo) has directed member stores to stop selling e-cigarettes to people under 21 and to display 21+ signage and verify customer age using valid identification.
Feb.27
JTI Korea Introduces Ploom AURA With Four Heating Modes and Four Device Colors
JTI Korea Introduces Ploom AURA With Four Heating Modes and Four Device Colors
JTI Korea announced that its next-generation heated tobacco device Ploom AURA will officially launch in South Korea on April 14. The company held a media event on March 31 at the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul Hotel to unveil the product in Korea for the first time.
Apr.01 by 2FIRSTS.ai