Customs Authorities Intercept Smuggling of British Vehicles on A3

Darmstadt - On January 26, 2025, customs officials halted two shipments of British vehicles on the A3 highway. The Traffic Control Unit of the Darmstadt Main Customs Office conducted inspections at the Medenbach-West rest area.

During the operation, two tax evasion proceedings were initiated, resulting in the imposition of import duties totaling approximately EUR1,150 and a security deposit of around EUR350.

The vehicles, registered in the UK, were en route to Romania. The drivers failed to provide proof of tax payments for the vehicles, leading to the assessment of import duties amounting to approximately EUR1,150.

Both drivers were confronted with tax evasion charges. To secure the anticipated fines and legal costs, a security deposit of about EUR350 was collected. After settling the import duties and security deposit, the drivers were permitted to continue their journey.

The Saarbrücken Main Customs Office has taken over the ongoing investigations and is responsible for addressing the smuggling cases.

It is important to note that individuals bringing goods from non-EU countries must pay import duties if the value exceeds the tax-free allowances. These fees consist of customs duties, import VAT, and possibly excise taxes.