(Luxembourg, 31 March 2026) – The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Cologne (Germany) has secured a conviction at the Krefeld District Court in a case involving the evasion of anti-dumping duties on imports of aluminium foil products used by hairdressers.
One of the defendants, a Chinese national, was convicted to one year and eight months of imprisonment, suspended with a probationary period of three years, as well as a fine of €100 000. Proceedings against the second defendant were discontinued on condition that they pay a set amount of money.
As previously reported, the EPPO brought charges in July 2024 against two individuals. The convicted individual operated a German-based company that imported aluminium foil products, in particular hairdressing foil, while falsely declaring the country of origin as Myanmar instead of China, in order to avoid anti-dumping duties.
To support the scheme, the defendant set up a company in Myanmar, which carried out only minimal processing of the goods that was insufficient to alter their origin under EU customs rules. This structure was used to conceal the true Chinese origin of the products. In total, approximately €610 000 in anti-dumping duties were evaded with this scheme.
In addition, the defendant was held responsible as an indirect perpetrator for seven further cases, where he sold aluminium foil products directly to German customers through a company in Myanmar, without informing them that the foil was produced in China. As a result, the customers unknowingly submitted incorrect customs declarations, resulting in an additional damage of approximately €140 000.
The court also ordered the confiscation of assets of over €321 000 linked to the criminal activity. Part of these assets, worth €278 000, have already been secured during the investigation through precautionary measures.
This EPPO-led investigation was carried out by customs investigation officers from Essen (Zollfahndungsamt Essen).
The judgment is subject to appeal.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) is the independent public prosecution office of the European Union. It is responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU.