Key points:
·Discovery: German customs seized 3.3 tons of illegal e-cigarettes in Emmerich, North Rhine-Westphalia, with a capacity exceeding 753 liters.
·Follow-up search: an additional 190 liters of illegal e-cigarettes were found at the headquarters of the receiving company, some of which were already packaged for shipment.
·Tax loss: The two discoveries resulted in a tax loss of over 245,000 euros (approximately $290,000). Legal consequences: the 35-year-old driver and company owner are both facing criminal charges.
·Tax regulations: starting from July 1, 2022, e-liquids containing nicotine are subject to tobacco taxes, with a tax rate of 26 cents per milliliter.
[2Firsts News Flash] According to a report from traderfox on July 24th, customs officials in Emmerich, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, discovered 3.3 tons of illegal e-cigarettes during an inspection of a truck. The 35-year-old driver, who entered from the Netherlands, has been charged with criminal tax offenses. The untaxed e-cigarettes had a volume exceeding 753 liters.
Following this discovery, customs investigators, in cooperation with investigators from the illicit financial supervision department, searched the company headquarters in Wuppertal. In a warehouse-converted bathroom, they found over 190 liters of illegal e-cigarettes, some of which were already packaged and ready for shipment. The company owner also faces criminal charges. The tax losses from these two discoveries are estimated to exceed 245,000 euros (approximately $290,000).
The investigation is ongoing. In a statement, customs emphasized that as of July 1, 2022, nicotine substances used in e-cigarettes (such as e-liquid) are subject to tobacco tax. The current tax rate is 26 cents per milliliter. Violators will face prosecution under criminal and tax law.
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