The Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) and the Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza) in Venice seized yesterday (21 April) over € 2 million in financial assets in an investigation launched by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). The Venetian company under investigation, which produces and markets bicycles, supposedly evaded the payment of anti-dumping and customs duties by importing complete e-bikes of Chinese origin in parts.
The case was initiated after a report of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) that led ADM to a closer analysis and check on the import declarations made by the Venetian company. It was then reported to the EPPO office in Venice for aggravated smuggling. The fraud mechanism discovered was to import complete e-bikes of Chinese origin into the EU, but in an unassembled form (in parts) and in separate shipments. Consequently, the company evaded anti-dumping and customs duties of over € 2 million. Investigations about the company are ongoing.