Germany Seizes Smuggled British Cars Bound for Romania

Customs bust reveals British cars smuggled into EU. Drivers caught without proof of taxation, face fines and procedural costs.

, and Administrator

2025 October 19 . 2:02 AM

1 min read

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Germany Seizes Smuggled British Cars Bound for Romania

Customs officials in Germany have uncovered a smuggling operation involving British passenger vehicles destined for Romania. The Control Unit for Traffic Routes (KEV) of the Main Customs Office Darmstadt made the discovery at the Medenbach-West rest area on the A3 on 26.01.2025.

The KEV inspectors found two shipments of vehicles of British origin during random checks. Both drivers were transporting the vehicles on Romanian delivery trucks and were unable to provide proof of taxation. Further investigations are being handled by the Main Customs Office Saarbrücken, the competent authority for this case.

The drivers were initially unable to pay the import duties, which apply to goods brought into the EU from a non-EU member state and exceed the travel allowance. Tax evasion proceedings were initiated against both drivers, with security of approximately 350 euros collected to cover expected fines and procedural costs. After paying the import duties and the security deposit, totaling around 1,150 euros, the drivers were allowed to continue their journey.

The smuggling of goods was discovered during routine checks by the KEV. The Main Customs Office Saarbrücken is now handling the case. Both drivers were charged with tax evasion and had to pay import duties and a security deposit before resuming their journey to Romania.