EPO charges two Chinese nationals of dodging anti-dumping duties on aluminium foil imports

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Cologne, Germany, has filed charges against two Chinese nationals for evading anti-dumping duties through a German company. The charges relate to 20 instances of aluminium foil imports into Germany.

The defendants are allegedly accused of falsely declaring tariff numbers or the country of origin (Myanmar instead of China) to avoid paying the required duties. This alleged fraud resulted in a total loss of €474,903.94.

Additionally, one of the defendants is accused of selling aluminium foil directly to German customers through a Myanmar-based company, while concealing that the foil was manufactured in China. This deception caused the German customers to submit false customs declarations, leading to additional damages totalling €156,133.36. The same defendant is also suspected of evading import duties for commercial purposes.

If found guilty, the defendants could face significant prison sentences and additional fines. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), an independent body of the European Union, is responsible for investigating, prosecuting, and adjudicating crimes that affect the EU's financial interests.