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

Feb.04

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.

References:

[1] Tabakwaren: Zoll beschlagnahmt palettenweise illegale E-Zigaretten

Also Read:

[1] German Customs Authorities Bust Illegal E-cigarette Smuggling Ring in Essen

[2] German Customs Seizes 400,000 Illegal Vapes Worth €500,000

[3] German environment ministry urges EU-wide ban on disposable e-cigarettes

#Europe #Open system e-cigarettes #Customs #Germany

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

UK Launches Call for Evidence to Shape New Tobacco and Vapes Regulations

The UK's Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has launched an eight-week comprehensive call for evidence to inform new regulations under the forthcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill, with a deadline of December 3, 2025. The initiative aims to systematically gather evidence on vape flavors, ingredients, nicotine levels, and product design, as well as proposals for an omnichannel retail licensing scheme for tobacco and vapes and a new product registration system.

Nov.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai

State Tobacco Monopoly Administration Chief Meets with President of South Korean Tobacco Company Wang Gongcheng also in attendance; friendly talks held between the two parties.

State Tobacco Monopoly Administration director Zhang Jianmin met with Korean Tobacco Company president Fang Jingwan in Beijing on October 31.

Nov.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai

South Korea to ban vape vending machines near schools from February 15, 2026

Starting from February 15, 2026, South Korea bans e-cigarette vending machines within 200m of schools to protect youth from nicotine products.

Oct.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai

AIR’s Shisha Brand Al Fakher Launches New Pod-Based Vape in Germany, Touting Non-Ceramic Atomization Technology

AIR’s shisha brand Al Fakher has launched its rechargeable pod-based vape Crown Switch in Germany, featuring Coldstream technology and claiming low-temperature vaporization without ceramic or metal heating elements. The device is now available on shisha-world, while AIR is simultaneously pushing ahead with its plan to go public on Nasdaq via a SPAC merger.