Home
Company
Product
Regulation
China
Data
Exhibition
Interview
中文版
Home
Company
Product
Regulation
China
Data
Exhibition
Interview
中文版
Search

German Customs Seizes 400,000 Illegal Vapes Worth €500,000

Nov.27.2024
German Customs Seizes 400,000 Illegal Vapes Worth €500,000
Berlin Customs has cracked down on e-cigarette smuggling, detaining eight suspects and seizing 400,000 illegal vapes, resulting in a tax loss of €500,000.

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.


References:
[1] Durchsuchungen wegen illegalen Handels mit Einweg-E-Zigaretten
Also Read:
[1] German Drug and Addiction Commissioner Backs Nicotine Pouch Ban, Calls for Stricter Regulation
[2] German Customs Seizes 3,000ml of Untaxed Vape Liquid Worth €1,000
[3] Germany Urged to Ban Disposable Vapes Following European Examples
[4] E-cigarette use in Germany up 38% in seven years, disposables most popular
[5] Youth use of HTP products in Germany is low, unlikely to become trend, says PMI
[6] German customs seize 12,500 smuggled e-cigarettes on highway
[7] German environment ministry urges EU-wide ban on disposable e-cigarettes
#Europe#Law enforcement#Disposable e-cigarettes#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

INTER-TABAC
INTER-TABAC
Glo Hilo goes nationwide in Japan, 2Firsts tracks market feedback: flavor and appearance are well-received, but price is a point of contention.
Glo Hilo goes nationwide in Japan, 2Firsts tracks market feedback: flavor and appearance are well-received, but price is a point of contention.
BAT Japan launched a new heated tobacco product, glo Hilo, on September 1st. Priced at 3,980 yen, it received positive initial feedback. Users praised its stylish design and better taste and odor control compared to IQOS. The main criticism was a burnt taste on the first puff due to rapid heating.
Sep.02
U.S. Conservative Commentator Charlie Kirk on Vaping Policy: Crackdown on Independent Vape Firms Could Force Adult Users Back to Cigarettes and the Black Market
U.S. Conservative Commentator Charlie Kirk on Vaping Policy: Crackdown on Independent Vape Firms Could Force Adult Users Back to Cigarettes and the Black Market
Charlie Kirk published an opinion piece in April criticizing current e-cigarette regulations, arguing that excessive oversight and litigation are not genuinely aimed at protecting youth but rather driven by political and corporate interests. He noted that this approach would force millions of adult users to lose access to low-risk alternatives, potentially pushing them back to cigarettes or toward black market products, ultimately harming public health.
Sep.11 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Communication Gaps, Illicit Trade, and Product Design Flagged in PMI’s Sustainability Materiality Report 2025
Communication Gaps, Illicit Trade, and Product Design Flagged in PMI’s Sustainability Materiality Report 2025
PMI identifies communication barriers as a core risk to advancing tobacco harm reduction, highlighting how public misunderstanding and regulatory constraints are undermining switching efficiency. Illicit trade, disposable product design, and forced labor in the electronics supply chain are also flagged as high-priority concerns. The report further unveils an independent assessment of its health subsidiary Aspeya, focusing on consumer health, climate impact, and global access—signaling ESG alignm
Sep.15
Reuters: The US FDA, under pressure from the White House, will complete its review of nicotine pouches such as ZYN, VELO, and on! by the end of December
Reuters: The US FDA, under pressure from the White House, will complete its review of nicotine pouches such as ZYN, VELO, and on! by the end of December
The U.S. FDA will launch a pilot program to accelerate reviews of nicotine pouch products from Philip Morris International, Altria, BAT’s Reynolds American, and Turning Point Brands, aiming to complete the process by December 2025. The move, driven by pressure from the Trump administration, seeks to address past multi-year approval delays. Nicotine pouches, the fastest-growing U.S. smoking alternative, are seen as lower-risk but raise youth appeal concerns.
Sep.08
Argentina's Neuquén province reiterates e-cigarette ban, covering import, distribution, and marketing
Argentina's Neuquén province reiterates e-cigarette ban, covering import, distribution, and marketing
The Consumer Protection Agency of Neuquén Province, Argentina, reiterated on September 24 that the ban on the import, distribution, marketing and advertising of e-cigarettes, similar devices and related accessories is fully effective. The restriction also covers "heated tobacco products" based on Resolution No. 565/2023 of the Ministry of Health and Regulation No. 3226/2011 of ANMAT.
Sep.25 by 2FIRSTS.ai
EU Cardiovascular Health Plan Consultation Highlights Tobacco Debate — 2Firsts Analysis Reveals Divide Between “Cessation” and “Harm Reduction” Approaches
EU Cardiovascular Health Plan Consultation Highlights Tobacco Debate — 2Firsts Analysis Reveals Divide Between “Cessation” and “Harm Reduction” Approaches
As the EU finalizes its Cardiovascular Health Plan, public feedback reveals a sharp divide over nicotine policy.A 2Firsts analysis of 677 submissions found that nearly one in four mentioned tobacco — highlighting tension between strict control and harm reduction approaches.
Oct.07
Related Topics
HEADLINE News Regulation
Related Read
Glo Hilo goes nationwide in Japan, 2Firsts tracks market feedback: flavor and appearance are well-received, but price is a point of contention.
Glo Hilo goes nationwide in Japan, 2Firsts tracks market feedback: flavor and appearance are well-received, but price is a point of contention.
U.S. Conservative Commentator Charlie Kirk on Vaping Policy: Crackdown on Independent Vape Firms Could Force Adult Users Back to Cigarettes and the Black Market
U.S. Conservative Commentator Charlie Kirk on Vaping Policy: Crackdown on Independent Vape Firms Could Force Adult Users Back to Cigarettes and the Black Market
2FIRSTS.ai
Communication Gaps, Illicit Trade, and Product Design Flagged in PMI’s Sustainability Materiality Report 2025
Communication Gaps, Illicit Trade, and Product Design Flagged in PMI’s Sustainability Materiality Report 2025
Reuters: The US FDA, under pressure from the White House, will complete its review of nicotine pouches such as ZYN, VELO, and on! by the end of December
Reuters: The US FDA, under pressure from the White House, will complete its review of nicotine pouches such as ZYN, VELO, and on! by the end of December
Argentina's Neuquén province reiterates e-cigarette ban, covering import, distribution, and marketing
Argentina's Neuquén province reiterates e-cigarette ban, covering import, distribution, and marketing
2FIRSTS.ai
EU Cardiovascular Health Plan Consultation Highlights Tobacco Debate — 2Firsts Analysis Reveals Divide Between “Cessation” and “Harm Reduction” Approaches
EU Cardiovascular Health Plan Consultation Highlights Tobacco Debate — 2Firsts Analysis Reveals Divide Between “Cessation” and “Harm Reduction” Approaches
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Contact: info@2firsts.com
Stay up to date.
Submit your email to receive weekly newsletter on the most relevant news of the e-cigarette industry.
© 2025 Shenzhen 2FIRSTS Technology Co.,Ltd. All Right Reserved.
2FIRSTS is only accessible to industry practitioners, researchers, media and other professionals. Access by minors is prohibited.
This website provides services to users outside the Chinese mainland. For Chinese mainland users, please visit https://cn.2firsts.com
English
English
中文