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

Peru Parliament Considers Imposing up to 100% Tax on E-Cigarettes
Peru Parliament Considers Imposing up to 100% Tax on E-Cigarettes
Peru Parliament discusses bill to impose up to 100% tax on e-cigarettes, citing public health concerns. Youth usage at 15.9%.
Mar.20 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Jinjia Shares Discloses 2025 Annual and Q1 2026 Results With Revenue Growth, Profit Pressure and Expanding New Tobacco Business
Jinjia Shares Discloses 2025 Annual and Q1 2026 Results With Revenue Growth, Profit Pressure and Expanding New Tobacco Business
Jinjia Shares’ 2025 annual report summary and first-quarter 2026 report show that the company recorded 2025 revenue of RMB 2.988 billion, up 4.57% year on year, while net profit attributable to shareholders turned to a loss of RMB 346 million. In the first quarter of 2026, revenue rose 58.13% year on year to RMB 1.005 billion, but attributable net profit fell 45.16% to RMB 36.5349 million. The company said both revenue and cost growth were related to the expansion of its new tobacco business.
Apr.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai
PMI’s Portuguese unit to launch nicotine pouches in 2026 after tax clarification
PMI’s Portuguese unit to launch nicotine pouches in 2026 after tax clarification
After Portugal included nicotine pouches in the excise-tax (IEC) framework for tobacco and nicotine products, PMI’s Portuguese subsidiary Tabaqueira confirmed it will begin selling nicotine pouches in the country this year. The company is preparing a soft launch in two stores ahead of wider distribution, as the tax and regulatory position becomes clearer.
Mar.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Indonesian Health Ministry Says New Vape Rules Will Cover Age Limits, Advertising, and Product Standards
Indonesian Health Ministry Says New Vape Rules Will Cover Age Limits, Advertising, and Product Standards
Indonesia’s Ministry of Health is preparing to implement regulations on electronic cigarettes, as provided for in Government Regulation No. 28 of 2024. The ministry said e-cigarettes will be regulated under provisions equivalent to those applied to conventional cigarettes, including age restrictions, advertising controls, product content standards, pictorial health warnings, and bans on use in smoke-free areas.
Apr.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Indonesian drug agency chief proposes ban on e-cigarettes and e-liquid containing harmful substances
Indonesian drug agency chief proposes ban on e-cigarettes and e-liquid containing harmful substances
Indonesian drug agency chief proposes ban on e-cigarette and e-liquid in new draft law, citing dangerous substances found.
Apr.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Japan Says Heated Tobacco and E-Cigarette Use Is a Key Factor Behind Rising In-Flight Smoking
Japan Says Heated Tobacco and E-Cigarette Use Is a Key Factor Behind Rising In-Flight Smoking
Japan’s transport ministry said on April 14 that major Japanese airlines reported 429 passenger smoking incidents on domestic and international flights in 2025, the highest level since comparable data collection began in 2004. The government said the spread of heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes was an important factor behind the increase. Japan plans to work with airlines to raise public awareness of fire risks on aircraft.
Apr.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai