Altach municipality appeals 2.47 million euro customs assessment

The municipality of Altach has decided to appeal three assessments issued by the Austrian Customs Office (Zollamt Österreich) totaling 2,474,823.56 euros. These charges relate to contaminated site contributions for the backfilling of a gravel pit in the Sauwinkel area between 2015 and 2022.

The dispute centers on legal interpretations regarding the application of small-quantity regulations and the required documentation for excavated material. The municipality maintains that there was no intentional misconduct and intends to file a motion for suspension of the payments.

Local political opposition has called for greater transparency, noting that the amount represents approximately one-tenth of Altach’s 2026 municipal budget. Opposition members have raised concerns regarding the timing of information disclosure and the Customs Office's assumption of conditional intent, which could extend the statute of limitations from five to ten years.