On November 26, the Berlin-Brandenburg Customs Investigation Office announced that they, along with approximately 500 law enforcement officers from the Berlin Police Department, conducted searches at 35 addresses and multiple vehicles in the city. The operation was aimed at cracking down on the sale of disposable e-cigarettes to teenagers.
The police seized 400,000 untaxed e-cigarettes, 600 kilograms of waterpipe tobacco, and over 200,000 euros in cash. It is reported that the tax loss is at least 500,000 euros.
The investigation points to a group of eight suspects, ranging in age from 24 to 41. This group has been selling smuggled e-cigarettes to teenagers primarily through online advertisements since January 2024.
According to reports, these disposable e-cigarettes were brought into Germany by an unknown third party without going through customs and paying taxes. The suspects were aware of this, but they still sold the untaxed goods.
The investigation and assessment of the seized evidence are currently underway.
Starting from July 1, 2022, disposable e-cigarettes are included in the scope of tobacco tax as a tobacco alternative. It is important in tax regulations to consider the e-liquid content in disposable e-cigarettes. From January 1, 2024, the tobacco tax rate will be 0.20 euros per milliliter. According to the Youth Protection Act, disposable e-cigarettes containing nicotine and those without nicotine cannot be provided to children and adolescents, violators can be fined up to 50,000 euros.
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