Investigating Goods, Drugs, and Conflicts: A Deep Dive into 2024's Customs Report
E-commerce Packages from the East
Increased Customs Imports in 2024: A Surge in Parcels, Marijuana Shipments, and Military Equipment - Increased Shipments Predicted for Year 2024: Anticipated Surge in Package Deliveries, Marijuana, and Firearms
E-commerce has become a force to reckon with, and China seems to be leading the charge in this digital frontier. As per the president of the General Customs Administration, Armin Rolfink, the number of customs clearances for online retail shot up by an astonishing 400% compared to the year before - reaching a whopping 235 million packages. Rolfink underlines how these shipments predominantly flow from China.
Stepping up the Fight Against Counterfeit Products and Cheap Goods
Finance Minister, Lars Klingbeil, expressed concerns about the increasing influx of cheap goods and counterfeit products from China. Klingbeil supports stricter measures against such shipments and also discussed the possibility of lifting the existing €150 customs limit at both the national and European level.
A Shift in the Drugs Game
Customs' primary mission lies in thwarting drug smuggling. Surprisingly, there was a significant drop in the amount of cocaine seized compared to 2023, from 39.9 to 16.3 tons. The Minister lauded this decrease, attributing it to effective controls and high investigative pressure. In contrast, the apprehension of marijuana increased, from 8.6 to 12.6 tons. Rolfink, however, couldn't draw a connection between the legalization of marijuana for adults in April 2024 and the increased seizures.
Leaning into the Arms Race
Customs also works to prevent weapons smuggling. A noteworthy statistic from 2024 reveals that customs officers seized 161 weapons of war, a substantial increase from 19 in the previous year.
A Stance Against Black Work
The Financial Control Schwarzarbeit unit, part of customs, checks for employment registration, social security, and employment permits for foreign workers. In 2024, they examined over 25,000 employers, a decrease from the 42,000 checked in the previous year. Despite the lower number, the initiation and completion of procedures stayed nearly constant.
Finance Minister, Lars Klingbeil, pledged a "tougher approach" against criminal elements exploiting the system and taking advantage of the general public. The Industrial Union of Construction, Agriculture, and Environment commended Klingbeil's stance in a statement.
Growing Tasks, Shrinking Resources: The Union Speaks Out
German Customs and Finance Union's chairman, Thomas Liebel, voiced concerns about the diminishing capabilities of customs in light of growing responsibilities. Through complex sanctions, trade conflicts, and e-commerce, customs is under pressure, with harsh austerity measures taking a toll on its protective function.
- Vocational training programs could be a strategic investment in EC countries to bridge the growing skills gap within the customs sector, given the increased responsibilities and pressures they are facing.
- The rapid expansion of e-commerce, particularly from China, has led to a significant increase in customs clearances, which highlights the need for policy-and-legislation adjustments to combat the surge of counterfeit products and cheap goods.
- As business and finance sectors grow, it is essential that these countries allocate sufficient resources to customs and finance units, such as the Financial Control Schwarzarbeit, to combat black work and ensure employment registration, social security, and employment permits for foreign workers are properly verified.
- With the rising issue of drug smuggling, introducing vocational training programs for customs officers could enhance their skills in identifying and countering the various tactics used by criminal organizations.
- The European Football League has become increasingly globalized, and football clubs could collaborate with EC countries to establish vocational training programs for customs officers, assisting them in seizing counterfeit merchandise and protecting fans from malicious activities.
- Thelimiting of capitalism and free trade dynamics could be a potential consequence of stricter custom enforcement, particularly regarding border control and enforcing tariffs on cheap goods and counterfeit products, which could impact business interests and investor confidence within Europe.
