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

Tennessee House Advances Bill to Direct Vape Tax Revenue to Youth Nicotine Prevention
Tennessee House Advances Bill to Direct Vape Tax Revenue to Youth Nicotine Prevention
The Tennessee House of Representatives advanced legislation this week aimed at curbing underage use of vapor products. House Bill 2360 would allocate 30% of tax revenue from vapor products to counties to support youth nicotine prevention programs across the state.
Mar.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Azerbaijan parliament passes third-reading amendments introducing e-cigarette penalties, effective April 1, 2026
Azerbaijan parliament passes third-reading amendments introducing e-cigarette penalties, effective April 1, 2026
Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis has adopted, in its third reading, amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences introducing fines and confiscation for the use of e-cigarettes and their components, as well as import, export, production, wholesale and retail sales, and storage for sale.
Mar.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
BENDSTA Urges Prime Minister to Review Bangladesh’s 2025 Tobacco Control Ordinance
BENDSTA Urges Prime Minister to Review Bangladesh’s 2025 Tobacco Control Ordinance
The Bangladesh Electronic Nicotine Delivery System Traders Association (BENDSTA) has urged the prime minister to initiate a comprehensive parliamentary review of the Smoking and Tobacco Products Use (Control) Ordinance, 2025.
Mar.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai
South Korea’s Revised Tobacco Business Act to Take Effect, With Penalties for Unauthorized Sales
South Korea’s Revised Tobacco Business Act to Take Effect, With Penalties for Unauthorized Sales
With the revised Tobacco Business Act set to take effect on April 24, synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes will be included within the legal definition of tobacco in South Korea. According to information released by Ongjin County, businesses wishing to sell these products must obtain tobacco retailer designation from the relevant authority.
Mar.25 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Acting CTP Director Says FDA Cut Premarket Tobacco Application Backlog by About 70% Over the Past Year
Acting CTP Director Says FDA Cut Premarket Tobacco Application Backlog by About 70% Over the Past Year
FDA Center for Tobacco Products Acting Director Bret Koplow said at the American Tobacco and Nicotine Forum that the agency has reduced its premarket tobacco application backlog by about 70% over the past year and eliminated the acceptance queue. He said FDA has reviewed about 27 million applications, but only a small number have been authorized, mainly because most submissions lacked the scientific data needed to demonstrate public health benefits.
Apr.23 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