German customs seize 150,000 illegal e-cigarettes in Hamburg raid

German customs authorities have conducted significant operations targeting the illegal trade of tobacco and e-cigarette products. In Hamburg, a large-scale raid involving over 130 investigators, the Federal Police, and the Technical Relief Agency (THW) resulted in the seizure of approximately 150,000 untaxed disposable e-cigarettes. The estimated tax loss from this specific operation is roughly 1.2 million euros. Investigators targeted a group suspected of selling illegal and non-compliant vapes nationwide through an online shop, utilizing warehouses in Hamburg and potentially using shell companies to hide distribution channels.

In a separate enforcement action at the InterTabac trade fair in Dortmund, customs officials conducted inspections at 150 booths to ensure proper taxation of tobacco goods. The inspections uncovered various untaxed items, including e-cigarette liquids, cigarettes, cigarillos, and hookah tobacco. As a result of these checks, 26 tax criminal proceedings were initiated, and exhibitors were required to provide security payments totaling 47,905.57 euros. Officials noted that some exhibitors attempted to bypass regulations by claiming products were merely samples or by failing to properly apply required tax stamps.