What the Customs Find at Cruise Ship Passengers - Cruise passengers face crackdown over illegal whale meat and smuggling violations
Authorities in Kiel and Hamburg have been cracking down on smuggling and wildlife protection violations, with recent inspections revealing a range of offenses among cruise ship passengers. In Kiel, customs officers discovered breaches of wildlife protection laws, undeclared cash, and prohibited food or other banned items. Artwork and prints with a total value exceeding €430 must be declared, failure to do so may result in additional charges. Common violations include exceeding duty-free allowances for tobacco and alcohol, which incurs duties and potential surcharges, with serious offenses leading to confiscation, criminal proceedings, or administrative penalties.
In Hamburg, violations of the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) were reported. The main source countries for the illegal import of whale meat and other products from protected marine mammals on Carnival Cruise, MSC Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Disney Cruise ships to Germany are Japan, Norway, and Iceland. Travelers sometimes bring back whale salami and other whale products, which are illegal under EU conservation laws. Around 50 cases of illegal whale product imports were recorded in Kiel last year.
Customs checks are conducted randomly to avoid bringing all travel and commercial traffic to a standstill. Up to 100 officers may be deployed during inspections of cruise ships, depending on the type of inspection. Authorities remind travelers to familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations regarding duty-free allowances and wildlife protection laws to avoid potential penalties and prosecution.
