Customs-founded cracked records: 3.1 billion euros in tax million!

Customs-founded cracked records: 3.1 billion euros in tax million!

An impressive year for the Gießen main customs office: In 2024, tax revenue of proud 3.1 billion euros was recorded. This sum not only reflects the committed work of customs, but also the efficiency of the execution officials who were able to collect around 200 million euros - an increase of 31.9 percent compared to the previous year. Around 400,000 enforcement cases were processed in this multitude of activities. In view of these figures, it is difficult to underestimate the importance of customs work in the region. A clear proof of how important customs is for the public cash register: the customs auctions in Bad Hersfeld were very well received by the population and brought in a whopping 196 million euros in 2024. Over 4514 providers and 166,223 registered bidders used the auction platform to do good business.

The main customs office Gießen, with locations in Gießen, Fulda, Bad Hersfeld and Kassel, has also covered an enormous route when combating illegal goods. For example, 6790 plagiarism worth around 1.2 million euros were confiscated, and 4042 goods were drawn from circulation due to violations of the Narcotics Act and food and weapon law. The securing of 5904 tablets of the drug "Padma 28", which contains a protected plant species, is particularly alarming.

undeclared work and their control

Financial control undeclared work (FKS) plays a crucial role in the fight against illegal employment. Around 25,000 employer exams were carried out in 2024, and investigations were made to almost 97,000 due to crimes, which led to a total of 1,277 years of imprisonment. Measures based on the Black Working Act (Schwarzarbg) are essential to ensure fair conditions on the labor market. The damage in connection with illegal employment was around 766 million euros in 2024.

The main goal of the FKS is to ensure the correct registration of employees to social security and compliance with minimum wages. From January 1, 2025, the minimum wage will be raised to 12.82 euros gross per hour, which is particularly important in wage -intensive industries. However, the increase in organized forms of undeclared work that act across borders presents the authorities with new challenges. Chain fraud, which relies on fake documents and bogus invoices, shows that not only individual but entire structures are responsible for the creation of black money.

The future of customs

In order to be prepared in the constantly changing landscape of the labor market, the customs administration will continue to have to adapt its examination and investigation powers. Citizens are required to adhere to the applicable laws and to persuade employers to correctly deposit social security contributions and wage taxes. Only then can it be possible to improve working conditions for everyone and to guarantee compliance with the legal regulations. Customs success in recent years is courageing, but there is still a lot to do, there is something for the upcoming challenges.