The body has yet to determine if the action aligns with the domestic market's regulations.
Dortmund Main Customs Office Achieves Significant Results in 2024
The Dortmund Main Customs Office, a vital governmental authority, has reported impressive results in 2024. Over the course of the year, the office played a crucial role in enforcing customs regulations, controlling the cross-border movement of goods, and ensuring compliance with trade laws.
During the year, customs officers inspected 6,119 instances, resulting in 1,388 criminal proceedings. Among the significant seizures made were nearly 3,300 kg of food under animal disease regulations, seven prohibited weapons, approximately 609,000 pieces of cigarettes, cigars, and cigarillos, over 380 liters of alcoholic beverages, and over 3 million shipments for import, nearly 15 million for export, and over 133,000 positions for dispatch.
In addition, customs officers detected and seized over 3,700 liters of untaxed liquid for disposable e-cigarettes, around 51 kg of tobacco, and two live animals (dogs) during an inspection. The Traffic Control Unit also secured nearly 300 kilos of narcotics.
The focus of the Financial Control Schwarzarbeit (FKS) in 2024 was on industries particularly affected by undeclared work, including construction, catering, and the freight, transport, and logistics industries. Risk-oriented inspections and investigations in 2024 resulted in damages caused by undeclared work amounting to over 20 million euros.
Moreover, the customs offices in the district processed over 257,000 new enforcement procedures and collected over €85 million. A total of 49 administrative offense proceedings were initiated due to undeclared cash amounting to over €1.2 million. Over 85 million euros in outstanding claims were collected through enforcement measures.
In the realm of prevention, customs officers at Dortmund Airport discovered undeclared cash totaling over 1.2 million euros and a family's claim of leaving a child behind in the arrival hall, which was later found sleeping on a bench.
The Dortmund Main Customs Office also contributed to the prevention of illegal trade and the protection against prohibited or dangerous goods. A total of 45,000 counterfeit items were seized, including fake electrical and electronic goods, mobile phones, clothing, shoes, handbags, and wristwatches of well-known brands.
As for future opportunities, interested parties can apply for a position with customs starting on 1 September 2026. Customs also offers study places for administrative informatics. For official and up-to-date details on the Dortmund Main Customs Office’s 2024 achievements or precise task divisions, consulting the German Customs Authority’s official reports or their website would be necessary.
[1] German Customs Authority Official Reports [3] German Customs Authority Website [5] German Customs Authority News Archive
- Customs officers at Dortmund Main Customs Office seized over 3,700 liters of untaxed liquid for disposable e-cigarettes, around 51 kg of tobacco, and two live animals, while also securing nearly 300 kilos of narcotics in 2024.
- Sports enthusiasts may find opportunities at Dortmund Main Customs Office, as interested parties can apply for a position with customs starting on 1 September 2026.
