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

Maldives Implements World's First Generational Prohibition on Tobacco, Banning Sales and Smoking for Those Born After 2007

The Maldives has implemented a generational tobacco ban, effective November 1, 2025, making it the only country to permanently prohibit anyone born on or after January 1, 2007 from buying or using tobacco. Initiated by President Mohamed Muizzu, the policy aims to create a tobacco-free generation and includes a nationwide ban on e-cigarettes, with fines up to 50,000 rufiyaa (US$3,200) for violations.

Nov.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Imperial Brands Launches £1.45B Buyback Plan as New Product Revenue Jumps 12-14%

Imperial Brands: FY results in line; launches £1.45bn buyback (to Oct 2026). Constant-currency net revenue to grow low single digits; NGP +12%–14%; adjusted operating profit growth similar to last year’s 4.6%.

Oct.07 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Feature | Vape Politics in Russia: Local Governments Push Forward Despite Legislative Deadlock

As Russia’s federal vape policy stalls, regional governors are racing to implement local bans—now with the backing of President Vladimir Putin. The divide between swift local action and delayed national legislation is fueling debate over health, regulation, and the country’s broader approach to nicotine control.

Oct.28

Product | FLONQ Parent Company Launches New Vaping Brand ROQY: Two Hybrid-Nicotine Devices Debut in Russia

Alfabet Labs, the parent company of FLONQ, has recently launched its new vaping brand ROQY in Russia, debuting two products: ROQY L and ROQY M. Both devices use a hybrid nicotine formulation combining nicotine salts and freebase nicotine and are each available in 19 flavors. The two products are now on sale via the official ROQY website as well as multiple online and offline retailers across Russia.