Austrian customs recorded some extraordinary seizures in the first half of 2022. For example, numerous luxury watches were seized at Salzburg Airport.
Four Turkish citizens traveled from Istanbul to Austria at Salzburg Airport and were already about to pass through the green channel of the airport upon arrival when they were asked to go to the customs office for a check. The customs officers were able to seize the goods brilliantly: 15 luxury watches, a clock face, 5 watch straps and 6 guarantee cards with an estimated value of more than 500.000 euros were seized.
“The half-year balance impressively shows the results of the professional work of our customs officers. In this way, customs protects the domestic economy, ensures compliance with our laws and makes an important contribution to consumer health and species protection," said Finance Minister Magnus Brunner (ÖVP).
According to the Ministry of Finance, there were various circumstances that led to an increase in seizures. On the one hand, it is the eCommerce regulation that has changed since July 1, 2021, but also the fact that the pandemic situation has changed in such a way that more people are traveling again. The Russian attack on Ukraine also plays a certain role.
While there were numerous travel restrictions in previous years, a significant increase in travel activity can now be observed again. With around 8,3 million travelers from January to June 2022 compared to around 5,5 million in the first half of 2021, there is an increase of around 52 percent in a half-year comparison.
As a result of the war in Ukraine, it can be observed that risky flights from the conflict regions or other destinations are no longer available. On the other hand, it can be assumed that the transport routes will shift as a result of the acts of war, or that the frequencies and quantities that are usually transported via these routes will change. The consequences of the war are particularly evident in the tobacco seizure balance of the Austrian customs. Although the number of cases of 1.066 tobacco goods seizures is higher than that of the first half of 2021 (780 seizures), the number of cigarettes illegally brought to Austria is significantly lower than that of the comparative period - 418.143 units so far in 2022, while by the end of June 2021 it was already almost twice as many (818.377) were.
In the seizures, more than 60 pieces of jewelery and art made of ivory, which the customs officers became aware of during Internet research on an online sales platform, particularly stand out. Customs investigators from the Linz customs office then seized more than 3 kg of ivory in the vendor's building in the Vöcklabruck district. The Carinthian customs investigation prevented the illegal sale of four rare parrots in the first half of the year. The two pairs of macaws were offered for sale on an online bird exchange. The birds are protected under the Washington Convention on the Protection of Endangered Species and may only be traded with the appropriate papers.
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