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

Portugal and Other Countries Submit Objections in Brussels Over UK Smoke-Free Generation Bill
Portugal and Other Countries Submit Objections in Brussels Over UK Smoke-Free Generation Bill
Portugal is among the countries opposing the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which would ban tobacco sales to people born on or after Jan. 1, 2009. According to the report, Portugal, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Slovakia and Romania have submitted reasoned opinions and formal observations to Brussels, arguing that the bill breaches post-Brexit arrangements including the Windsor Framework.
Apr.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai
U.S. Senator Durbin Criticizes FDA’s First Flavored Vape Authorization, Says Trump Administration Conceded to Big Tobacco
U.S. Senator Durbin Criticizes FDA’s First Flavored Vape Authorization, Says Trump Administration Conceded to Big Tobacco
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin on May 13 criticized the Trump Administration’s Food and Drug Administration for approving the sale and marketing of fruit-flavored e-cigarettes for the first time, while also allowing some illegal vaping products to remain on the market. He also linked the regulatory shift to the departure of FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, saying White House pressure on regulators to approve tobacco product applications could create serious public-health consequences.
Regulations
May.15
UK Retailers Call on Government to Better Resource Trading Standards to Fight Illicit Tobacco and Vape Trade
UK Retailers Call on Government to Better Resource Trading Standards to Fight Illicit Tobacco and Vape Trade
Retailers in the UK have called on the government to provide greater resources to Trading Standards in response to the growing trade in illicit tobacco and vapes. Fed national vice-president Hemanshu Patel made the call during a panel discussion at the National Convenience Show in Birmingham on April 15.
Apr.21 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Bringing Tax and Insurance Into Nicotine Regulation: Insights From a Tobacco Harm-Reduction Report
Bringing Tax and Insurance Into Nicotine Regulation: Insights From a Tobacco Harm-Reduction Report
A smoke-free nicotine policy report argues that tobacco harm reduction should move beyond product bans and health warnings into tax policy, insurance pricing and risk-based regulation. While some projections remain open to debate, the report highlights a wider challenge: nicotine products, technologies and consumer behavior have changed sharply over the past decade, and regulatory systems may need new tools to better align tobacco control with harm-reduction goals.
Jun.08
Swedish Politicians Ask European Commission to Clarify Legality of France’s Nicotine Pouch Ban
Swedish Politicians Ask European Commission to Clarify Legality of France’s Nicotine Pouch Ban
France’s ban on oral nicotine pouches has triggered an immediate response in Sweden. Swedish Minister for Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa said Sweden had mobilized strongly against the ban and argued that it constitutes a clear obstacle to the free movement of goods within the EU single market. Swedish officials say the measure affects a strategically important domestic industry and conflicts with Sweden’s harm-reduction approach to public health.
Apr.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Tobacco Farming in the New Nicotine Era: Why Indian Farmers Struggle to Transition — Contributed by Samrat Chowdhery
Tobacco Farming in the New Nicotine Era: Why Indian Farmers Struggle to Transition — Contributed by Samrat Chowdhery
In this contributed article to 2Firsts, Mumbai-based journalist and harm reduction advocate Samrat Chowdhery examines India’s tobacco transition from the perspective of agriculture, supply chains and regulation. As noted by 2Firsts, India offers a relevant case for understanding how new nicotine technologies may affect not only consumption, trade and policy, but also tobacco farming.
Special Report
May.29