Record customs revenue: 4.6 billion euros despite increasing risks!

Record customs revenue: 4.6 billion euros despite increasing risks!

Customs generated an impressive income of around 4.6 billion euros at the Lörrach main customs office in 2024. This sum represents an increase of more than 440 million euros compared to the previous year, which shows that shopping tourism in the region is picking up again. The largest part of the revenue comes from import sales tax, which amounts to 4.2 billion euros. Customs duties and excise taxes also contributed 87 million euros and 238 million euros to this pleasing result. Südkurier reports that 9,900 tax inspection measures were carried out, which resulted in additional claims of over 4.6 million euros and reimbursements of 456,000 euros.

But the work of customs goes far beyond simply collecting taxes. Matthias Heuser, the head of the main customs office, emphasizes the valuable commitment of his employees, who not only monitor import regulations, but also actively fight against product piracy and economic crime. Customs reported 64 complaints about safety-related products, which is twice as many as in the previous year. Over 76,500 counterfeit items were also seized in the district. This is alarming, because the illegal use of research and production results not only threatens jobs in Germany, but also endangers the competitiveness of local companies, such as [Customs](https://www.zoll.de/DE/Der- Zoll/Aufgabe-des- Zolls/Schutz-fuer-Mensch-Wirtschaft-und-Umwelt/produktpiraterie/produktpiraterie_node.html) warns.

Finds and arrests

On the drugs front, customs were able to seize 1.4 kg of cocaine, 1.2 kg of amphetamines, as well as 41 kg of hashish and 639 ecstasy tablets. 272 kg of marijuana also fell into the hands of the officers. During gun control, 63 war weapons and over 90 other banned items were confiscated. Customs carried out over 78,000 checks on private travel and checked around 42,000 vehicles. Surprisingly, there were 1,130 border police findings, which led to over 140 arrests.

The discovery of over 2,400 unauthorized fireworks and more than 23,600 untaxed cigarettes was particularly revealing. Cash totaling around 600,000 euros, spread over several finds, supplements the list of confiscations. The truck checks show the usual high volume of traffic: more than a million trucks passed the Weil am Rhein-Autobahn border crossing, and the customs authorities processed 2.8 million shipments of goods for import, stable compared to the previous year.

Undeclared work and financial control

Another important point of customs work is the fight against undeclared work. 537 employers were checked and 2,500 criminal and fine proceedings were initiated, resulting in damage estimated at over 6.3 million euros. The courts imposed a total of nine years' imprisonment as well as fines and fines of around 700,000 euros. Sächsische also underlined the importance of these measures and announced that customs will continue to take decisive action against international economic crime.

The customs authorities in Germany show that they are keeping a close eye on compliance with the law and are taking important measures to protect the integrity of the market. Their work not only curbs criminal activity, but also strengthens the economy and security in the region.