Customs officials in Cologne intercepted 45,000 forbidden e-cigarettes.
Flashing Lights: Customs Seize Mega-Bust, Counterfeit Vape Tanks Imported from China
By: Markus Schmitz
"We've got a big one here," asserts Jens Ahland, the man behind the microphone at the Cologne Customs Office Press Relations. Three weeks ago, a Romanian truck was pulled over near Cologne. The gut feeling of the customs officers probing the vehicle paid off. Behind closed doors, a goldmine of illicit goods valued at over one million euros:
A Colored Carnival of Giant Vapes
On unveiling the cargo, a splash of colors unfolded, revealing packets jam-packed with smaller ones. Inside, gleaming vape devices awaited, hailing from the other side of the world: China. These devices were not a pretty sight in Germany.
- *Sound the Alarm: Warnings Sound Across Germany About Vape Dangers | More****
First, the devices had to pass stringent German regulations – official registration, tax compliance, and a tank-size cap of two milliliters. In Germany, these devices were not of the legal variety. The tanks of the devices in question? A whopping 20 milliliters – ten times the permissible size.
A Nutty, Time-Consuming, and Costly Game of Whack-a-Mole
Ahland wasn't kidding when he called it a "big one." These devices would be a nuisance to dispose of. The reason? Electronic components in vape devices. Disposal – a time-consuming, expensive process.
The Cologne Customs Office estimates the potential tobacco tax loss prevented at nearly 300,000 euros. But the war against illicit vapes doesn't end here. Vapes, when found in kiosks and tobacco shops, routinely fall short of the age requirement. Once, during a raid, inspectors accidentally stumbled upon a tanning salon in Niederkassel that contained untaxed vapes, a machete, and two toy pistols. Manufacturers, in cahoots with local retailers, seem determined to flout the rules, according to customs.
In the ever-evolving world of vapes, the clock is forever ticking... and the stakes are high. Stay tuned, folks, as the game of Whack-a-Mole goes on.
- The illicit vape devices, originating from China, pose a significant health risk due to their oversized tanks that exceed the permitted size in Germany.
- The seizure of these vape devices by customs not only prevents potential tobacco tax loss but also highlights the ongoing battle against the use of technology for illegal purposes in the vape industry.
