Customs Prevent Loss of €11.7 Million in 2011
The Tax and Customs Board discovered 4,500 violations of customs regulations on Estonia's borders last year, preventing 11.7 million euros worth of tax losses.
According to the agency, the total number of inspections carried out at EU external borders in 2011 stood at 15,700.
Last year, customs seized 15 million cigarettes, 1.16 million liters of fuels and the equivalent of 29,300 liters of pure alcohol. In addition, 191,700 units of counterfeited merchandise and 153 kilograms of narcotic substances were found.
"The number of discovered illegal cigarettes has significantly increased in the last year," noted Urmas Koidu, head of the agency's Customs Administration Department. In 2010, the figure was over 5 million less for cigarettes and nearly 18,000 liters less for the equivalent of pure alcohol.
“As long as the price gap of tobacco, alcohol and motor fuel remains wide between us and neighboring countries, customs have their work laid out before them," Koidu said.
Ingrid Teesalu