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

Kaival Brands Explores Nicotine Pouches as Smaller Nicotine Companies Seek Smoke-Free Growth
Kaival Brands Explores Nicotine Pouches as Smaller Nicotine Companies Seek Smoke-Free Growth
U.S. nicotine company Kaival Brands Innovations Group is exploring opportunities in nicotine pouches and other modern nicotine products, reflecting a broader shift among smaller nicotine businesses beyond traditional vaping products.
Jul.17
BAT Calls for Retailer Input in Future Nicotine Regulations
BAT Calls for Retailer Input in Future Nicotine Regulations
British American Tobacco (BAT) has called for stronger retailer involvement in shaping future nicotine product regulations in the UK, arguing that frontline market feedback should be considered during policy development. BAT said retailers provide direct insight into consumer behavior, market changes and regulatory implementation challenges. The comments come as the UK nicotine market undergoes regulatory changes, including the disposable vape ban, Vaping Products Duty and efforts to address illicit vape sales.
Jul.29
FDA Authorizes Four More Nicotine Pouches as Review Pilot Expands Beyond Initial Decisions
FDA Authorizes Four More Nicotine Pouches as Review Pilot Expands Beyond Initial Decisions
The FDA has authorized four additional on! nicotine pouches, bringing the U.S. total to 30. The decision marks another outcome of the agency’s nicotine pouch review pilot, whose communication and review practices are now being applied more broadly across the category. It also extends Helix’s authorized portfolio from on! PLUS to the earlier on! line. Yet all FDA-authorized nicotine pouches still come from subsidiaries of PMI or Altria, underscoring how concentrated U.S. regulatory access remains.
Aug.05
French Vape Distributor Kumulus Vape Yields About 3% as Earnings Growth Stalls
French Vape Distributor Kumulus Vape Yields About 3% as Earnings Growth Stalls
Listed French vape distributor Kumulus Vape will trade ex-dividend on June 26, 2026, and pay an annual dividend of €0.10 per share on June 30, with Simply Wall St saying the payout is covered by profit and free cash flow, while weak earnings growth remains a concern.
Industry InsightMarketNews
Jun.24
South Korea Vape Strategies Diverge as BAT Reconsiders Exit and PMI Takes VEEV to About 14,000 Stores
South Korea Vape Strategies Diverge as BAT Reconsiders Exit and PMI Takes VEEV to About 14,000 Stores
BAT Rothmans says it previously considered exiting South Korea's vaping market because of competitive pressure from unregulated products, but is now reassessing conditions following changes to the country's nicotine regulatory framework. Vuse and other BAT vaping products remain available through existing distribution channels. The statement followed a South Korean media report that interpreted BAT's broader withdrawal from selected Vapour markets as a full exit from South Korea. Meanwhile, Philip Morris International launched VEEV inPRIME in the country in June and began expanding distribution to around 14,000 convenience stores and other retail channels in July. The contrasting moves highlight differing investment strategies as South Korea's regulated vaping market evolves.
Aug.14
China’s Jiangsu Tobacco Monopoly Bureau and Drug Regulator Target Illegal Vape Sales Disguised as Medical Devices, Define Six Violations
China’s Jiangsu Tobacco Monopoly Bureau and Drug Regulator Target Illegal Vape Sales Disguised as Medical Devices, Define Six Violations
China’s Jiangsu Tobacco Monopoly Bureau and Jiangsu Provincial Medical Products Administration have issued a joint notice targeting illegal production and sales of vape products disguised as medical devices. The notice identifies six categories of violations, including obtaining medical licenses through false materials, misusing medical device credentials, expanding production beyond approved scopes, and using medical device-related online platforms to promote or sell vape products. The action is based on China’s tobacco and medical device regulations and aims to strengthen vape oversight and consumer protection.
Aug.04