According to Lokalkompass's report on September 9th, on September 5th, tax authorities in Germany conducted raids on four e-cigarette shops, two residences, and a company address in Meiderich, Duisburg, Dinslaken, Bocholt, and Hamminkeln, seizing around 400 liters of e-liquid, suspected synthetic drugs, and other written and electronic evidence. The two German men involved are suspected of tax evasion and illegal trading of e-cigarette e-liquids.
Tax enforcement measures revealed that the Münster and Duisburg Customs Offices discovered violations at two e-cigarette shops, prompting an investigation. Further investigation revealed that a company owned by one of the suspects was also used to store untaxed e-cigarette liquid.
Preliminary inspections of four e-cigarette shops have revealed evidence of not only untaxed e-liquid sales, but also of some e-liquid being self-produced from various raw materials and sold mixed with legal products, resulting in an estimated tax loss of approximately 80,000 euros.
Starting from July 1, 2022, tobacco alternatives (including e-cigarette e-liquid) in Germany will be subject to taxation. Currently, the tobacco tax rate is 0.20 euros per milliliter. Violations of this regulation may result in criminal and tax penalties.
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