German Customs Seize 8 Tons of Untaxed Coffee, Launch Tax Evasion Probe
Customs authorities in Germany have seized a significant amount of untaxed coffee, leading to a tax loss of over 17,000 euros. The company involved, Kaffee Import GmbH, is facing a tax evasion investigation.
On September 16, 2025, customs officers in Cologne and Darmstadt/Gießen discovered and seized over 4.3 tons of untaxed coffee products from Kaffee Import GmbH. The cargo included around 245 kilograms of soluble coffee and over 176 kilograms of roasted coffee. A 36-year-old German, the company's responsible person, now faces a tax evasion procedure.
Simultaneous checks by customs officers in Darmstadt and Gießen resulted in the seizure of another three and a half tons of untaxed coffee. Evidence suggested that an additional three tons of untaxed coffee had been imported from the Netherlands recently. In a separate incident, a 39-year-old Syrian and his vehicle were stopped at the Königsforst rest area on the A3, with the inspection revealing untaxed coffee.
The coffee tax in Germany stands at 2.19 euros per kilogram of roasted coffee and 4.78 euros per kilogram of soluble coffee. However, imports from the Netherlands and other EU countries are exempt from tax for personal quantities up to a maximum of ten kilograms.
The seizures and subsequent investigation highlight the efforts of German customs to combat tax evasion in the coffee industry. In 2024, customs collected a total of around one billion euros in coffee tax nationwide. The ongoing case against Kaffee Import GmbH serves as a reminder of the consequences of tax evasion.
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