Customs Seize Massive Unreported E-cigarette and E-liquid Shipment in Germany

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Feb.21.2024
Customs Seize Massive Unreported E-cigarette and E-liquid Shipment in Germany
German customs officials seized 27,000 untaxed e-cigarettes and over 120 liters of untaxed e-liquid in a truck from Bulgaria.

Recently, according to a report by the German news agency, customs officials in Cologne seized a Bulgarian truck on the highway traveling from the Netherlands to the metropolitan area of Nuremberg. The truck was found to be carrying 27,000 untaxed e-cigarettes and over 120 liters of untaxed e-liquid.

 

Customs officers found these e-cigarettes filled with e-liquid in 135 boxes. None of the e-cigarettes had tax labels, and it is estimated that the undeclared tax amounted to 108,000 euros. After the seizure of these goods, they were confiscated by authorities and a tax evasion investigation has been launched against the driver.

 

The Cologne Customs Administration emphasized in a notice that starting from July 1, 2022, substances containing nicotine, such as the e-cigarette confiscated this time, will be subject to tobacco tax. According to reports, this tax will take effect from January 1, 2024, and the tax rate per milliliter will increase from 0.16 euros to 0.20 euros, further expanding the tax revenue space for e-cigarettes.

 

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

Vuse Alto Adds New U.S. Price Tier as BAT Pushes Deeper Into Mass-Market Vaping
Vuse Alto Adds New U.S. Price Tier as BAT Pushes Deeper Into Mass-Market Vaping
British American Tobacco (BAT) subsidiary Vuse Alto has recently adjusted its price tiers in U.S. convenience store channels, leveraging low-cost device kits and pod promotions to reinforce its positioning in the mid-priced closed-system e-cigarette market.
Jun.17
PMI Highlights 43 Million Smoke-Free Users at Stockholm Summit
PMI Highlights 43 Million Smoke-Free Users at Stockholm Summit
Philip Morris International says about 43 million adults worldwide now use its smoke-free products, with nearly 70% having stopped using cigarettes and smoke-free products accounting for about 43% of its net revenues.
Jun.18
Imperial Brands Plans Thousands of Job Cuts Across U.S. and Europe in Cost Restructuring
Imperial Brands Plans Thousands of Job Cuts Across U.S. and Europe in Cost Restructuring
According to Reuters, citing Bloomberg News, British tobacco company Imperial Brands PLC plans to cut thousands of jobs across the United States and Europe as part of a cost reduction and organizational restructuring effort. The announcement drew market attention to the company’s shares. The move comes as global tobacco companies continue adjusting their operations amid slower cigarette market growth, changing consumer preferences and the transition toward next-generation nicotine products.
Aug.11
2Firsts Interview | InterTabac 2026 Adapts to a More Complex Tobacco and Nicotine Market
2Firsts Interview | InterTabac 2026 Adapts to a More Complex Tobacco and Nicotine Market
As InterTabac 2026 approaches, Sabine Loos, Managing Director of Westfalenhallen Unternehmensgruppe, tells 2Firsts that global tobacco trade fairs are evolving beyond product display. With new nicotine categories, shifting regulation and more complex supply chains reshaping the industry, InterTabac is positioning itself as a platform for market insight, regulatory discussion and global business connection.
Special Report
Jul.02
BAT UK Director Tolga Kilic Says Illicit Nicotine Market Squeezes Legal Retailers Amid Rising Compliance Costs
BAT UK Director Tolga Kilic Says Illicit Nicotine Market Squeezes Legal Retailers Amid Rising Compliance Costs
UK retail publication Grocery Trader has published a viewpoint article from Tolga Kilic, Commercial Director for BAT UK & Ireland, discussing the impact of illicit nicotine products on legitimate retail channels. Kilic said illegal vapes and other illicit nicotine products create competitive pressure for compliant retailers and called for stronger market controls and supply-chain oversight. The comments come as the UK advances policies including the disposable vape ban and Vaping Products Duty, creating a more complex operating environment for legal vape retailers.
Jul.28
From Nicotine Pouches to Soft Candy Forms: China Tobacco Hubei explores adjustable-release oral nicotine products
From Nicotine Pouches to Soft Candy Forms: China Tobacco Hubei explores adjustable-release oral nicotine products
China-based China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Co., Ltd. has filed a patent application covering an oral nicotine product and its preparation method. The patent proposes a soft candy-shaped oral nicotine product containing nicotine ingredients, gelling agents, sweeteners and alkaline pH regulators. Through formulation adjustments and homogeneous or dual-layer structures, the technology aims to achieve different nicotine release profiles. The filing reflects exploration of new oral nicotine product formats and controlled nicotine delivery approaches.
Aug.06