All articles tagged with #customs
The US has collected over $200 billion in tariffs in 2025 due to new duties imposed by President Trump, with legal challenges questioning their legality, and a decline in collections observed in November amid ongoing court cases and trade adjustments.
The US has permanently ended the de minimis exemption for package shipments valued under $800, requiring full duties on all global parcels starting Friday, with a transition period for flat-rate duties. This move aims to increase tariff revenue and curb illegal imports like fentanyl, affecting e-commerce and international shipping.
DHL has temporarily suspended shipments from Germany to the U.S. due to uncertainties caused by President Trump's elimination of the de minimis exemption on tariffs for goods under $800, leading to concerns over customs costs and procedures amid ongoing trade tensions.
German customs seized approximately 1,500 young tarantulas hidden inside chocolate spongecake boxes shipped from Vietnam to Germany, highlighting a smuggling attempt that violated animal welfare laws and customs regulations, with some spiders not surviving the journey and others being handed over to an expert handler.
Authorities in Southern California have seized 3,000 counterfeit Gibson guitars at the Los Angeles-Long Beach Seaport, valued at $18 million if genuine. The operation involved multiple agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Gibson Inc. The fake guitars were likely intended for the e-commerce market, and experts noted several telltale signs of their inauthenticity. This seizure is the largest of counterfeit musical instruments on record, and the investigation into the operation is ongoing.
Hong Kong customs officials seized over $10 million worth of suspected gold hidden in air compressors on a freight plane bound for Japan, marking the largest gold-smuggling case in Hong Kong in terms of seizure value. The gold had been carefully molded and concealed within the machinery, likely to evade Japan's import tariffs. A 31-year-old man was arrested in connection with the case, and gold is considered a valuable commodity by investors and criminal networks due to its stable value and ease of transformation for money laundering purposes.
Hong Kong authorities seized over $10 million worth of gold, disguised as machine parts, in the city's largest gold smuggling bust. The gold, molded and camouflaged as part of two air compressors, was intended to be shipped to Japan to evade import tariffs. A 31-year-old has been arrested in connection with the case, and investigations are ongoing. This comes amid a surge in gold prices, with the commodity hitting successive record highs in 2024.
Hong Kong customs officials have arrested seven people in connection with the territory’s largest ever money laundering case, involving about $1.8 billion, some of which is linked to a scam case in India. The syndicate used shell companies and bank accounts to transfer large sums from overseas to the city under the guise of running international trading businesses. Authorities believe the syndicate received remittances from India in the name of exporting electronic devices, diamonds, gems, and precious metals, and then transferred the proceeds to bank accounts in Hong Kong for money laundering. The investigation, which involved cooperation between law enforcement in Hong Kong, India, and elsewhere, is ongoing.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was detained at Munich International Airport after failing to declare a luxury watch, which he claimed was for charity, during a routine customs inspection. The watch, valued at over 430 euros, was from his personal collection and was intended for auction at a charity event in Austria. Despite a potential tax exemption for charitable items, Schwarzenegger will face formal criminal tax charges, with any penalties to be determined during the proceedings.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was detained for hours by customs at Munich Airport after arriving in Germany with a luxury watch, potentially to be auctioned at a charity event. The watch, valued at about 20,000 euros, was allegedly undeclared and prompted a routine check due to its value exceeding 430 euros. Schwarzenegger's charity auctions raise millions of dollars for after-school programs and environmental work, and his team stated that the watch is likely to be auctioned despite the incident.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was detained by customs at Munich Airport for carrying a luxury watch potentially to be auctioned at a charity event, as it was not declared upon entry into Germany. The watch, valued at about 20,000 euros, was owned by Schwarzenegger and intended for auction at a charity event in Austria. The Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative confirmed the incident, stating that the watch was likely to be auctioned and that the charity auctions raise millions of dollars for after-school programs and environmental work.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was detained at Munich Airport and may face criminal proceedings in Germany over a luxury watch he brought into the country for a charity auction. The actor, en route to a charity event in Austria, was questioned for 2 1/2 hours and agreed to pre-pay taxes on the item, but encountered difficulties with credit card machines and ATM withdrawals. The watch is intended to be auctioned for the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative, with proceeds going towards environmental projects.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was held at Munich airport for over two hours after failing to declare a luxury watch he owns, which he may auction for charity. He was released and traveled on, but will face criminal tax proceedings for the incident. A source close to the actor claimed that he cooperated with customs officers and was willing to pre-pay potential taxes on the watch, but encountered various issues with payment methods during the process.
Interpol and the World Customs Organization conducted their annual Operation Thunder crackdown on wildlife and timber trafficking in 133 countries, resulting in the seizure of over 2,000 animals and plants, including primates, big cats, birds, ivory, turtle eggs, rhino horns, and leopard skins. Around 500 arrests were made, and the operation saw the highest participation since its inception in 2017. The live animals were intended for the pet trade, egg harvesting, or meat consumption, while the wildlife parts were used for jewelry or rituals. Interpol emphasizes the links between environmental crime and other forms of crime, such as violence, corruption, and financial crime. The World Customs Organization highlighted the importance of customs in disrupting criminal networks through strict border controls, intelligence-sharing, and technological advancements.
US Customs and Border Protection seized a box of giraffe feces from a passenger arriving at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport from Kenya. The traveler had declared the feces, stating she planned to make jewelry out of it. The agency's agriculture specialists destroyed the excrement due to the risk of disease transmission. Bringing ruminant animal feces into the US requires a veterinary services permit, and Kenya experiences several diseases that could pose a threat. Disease has also contributed to the decline of giraffe populations in Kenya.