Customs Agency in Hamburg presents annual report for 2024, focusing on tax collection and anti-smuggling efforts

In 2024, the Hamburg Customs took on a multitude of tasks to safeguard public order, focusing on collections, inspections, checks, investigations, and cooperation with local stakeholders. This year's efforts were centred around ensuring a smooth flow of goods, promoting fair competition, and maintaining security policy, particularly at Hamburg's bustling port.

The Hamburg Customs, consisting of the Hamburg Main Customs Office, Itzehoe Main Customs Office for Hamburg Airport, and the Hamburg Customs Investigation Office, have published their annual report for 2024. The report, available as a PDF document named "Annual Report 2024.pdf" (1.4 MB), includes specific figures presented in a jointly prepared statistical brochure.

Melanie Schmaljohann, head of the Hamburg Main Customs Office, emphasised the importance of Hamburg's port to their work, both economically and in terms of security policy. The Hamburg Main Customs Office generated revenues of 28 billion euros for the federal budget and the European Union in 2024, making it one of the highest-yielding main customs offices nationwide.

Customs investigators in Hamburg prevented a tax loss of over 34 million euros in 2024 by seizing over 128 million cigarettes, primarily untaxed tobacco products. Nils Gärtner, head of the Hamburg Customs Investigation Office, stated that customs plays a crucial role in combating internationally organized drug crime and makes an indispensable contribution to the security of the country. The Hamburg Customs Investigation Office is actively working to identify cross-border criminal structures, dismantle them sustainably, and seize illegally obtained assets.

Notably, the Hamburg Customs Investigation Office seized a significant amount of cocaine in the Hamburg port in 2024, indicating that the sea route remains the main smuggling route. This underscores the importance of the Hamburg Customs' work in maintaining security policy.

Through handling activities at Hamburg Airport, around 1.15 billion euros were generated for the federal budget in 2024. Eckhard Trede, deputy head of the Itzehoe Main Customs Office, stated that Hamburg Airport customs officers carried out a total of 543,578 controls in 2024, significantly preventing the illegal trade in drugs and the unauthorized import of medicines.

The Hamburg Customs Administration collected taxes at its locations in Hamburg in 2024. The annual report for 2024 also highlights the Hamburg Customs' close cooperation with local stakeholders.

Press inquiries should be directed to the Hamburg Main Customs Office at the contact information provided. The Hamburg Customs continue their mission to protect public order, ensure a smooth flow of goods, and maintain fair competition, all while making significant contributions to the federal budget and the European Union.