Suche
Mein Konto
Zoll-Giessen broke records: 3.1 billion euros in tax millions in 2024!
Bad Hersfeld: Successful customs auctions and current statistics on combating undeclared work show regional economic developments.
Zoll-Giessen broke records: 3.1 billion euros in tax millions in 2024!
An impressive year for the Giessen main customs office: in 2024, tax revenues of an impressive 3.1 billion euros were recorded. This sum reflects not only the dedicated work of customs, but also the efficiency of the enforcement officers, who were able to collect around 200 million euros - an increase of 31.9 percent compared to the previous year. With this variety of activities, around 400,000 enforcement cases were processed. Given these figures, it is difficult to underestimate the importance of customs work in the region. Clear proof of how important customs are for the public purse: The customs auctions in Bad Hersfeld were extremely well received by the population and brought in a whopping 196 million euros in 2024. Over 4,514 vendors and 166,223 registered bidders used the auction platform to get a good deal.
The Giessen Main Customs Office, with locations in Giessen, Fulda, Bad Hersfeld and Kassel, has also come a long way in combating illegal goods. 6,790 counterfeits worth around 1.2 million euros were confiscated, and 4,042 consignments of goods had to be withdrawn from circulation due to violations of the Narcotics Act as well as food and weapons laws. Particularly alarming is the seizure of 5,904 tablets of the drug “Padma 28”, which contained a protected plant species.
Undeclared work and how to combat it
The Financial Control of Undeclared Work (FKS) plays a crucial role in the fight against illegal employment. In 2024, around 25,000 employer audits were carried out, with criminal investigations totaling almost 97,000, resulting in a total of 1,277 years in prison. Such measures, which are based on the Act to Combat Undeclared Employment (SchwarzArbG), are essential to ensure fair conditions on the labor market. Damages related to illegal employment amounted to approximately 766 million euros in 2024.
The main goal of the FKS is to ensure the correct registration of employees for 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 operate across borders presents the authorities with new challenges. Chain fraud, which relies on fake receipts and bogus invoices, shows that not only individuals but entire structures are responsible for creating black money.
The future of customs
To cope with the ever-changing labor market landscape, the customs administration will continue to need to adapt its audit and investigative powers. Citizens are required to comply with applicable laws and to encourage employers to pay social security contributions and payroll taxes correctly. Only then can it be possible to improve working conditions for everyone and guarantee compliance with legal regulations. The customs success of the last few years is encouraging, but there is still a lot to be done to meet the challenges ahead.