Investigation ‘Gummy Bear’: Searches carried out in Brazil, Belgium and Germany in probe into customs fraud involving gelatine imports

(Luxembourg, 5 August 2026) – In an investigation into a suspected customs evasion scheme involving gelatine imports between affiliated companies, led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Frankfurt (Germany), coordinated searches were carried out in Brazil, Belgium and Germany.  

The investigation, code-named ‘Gummy Bear’, concerns the alleged undervaluation of raw materials imported from Brazil by affiliated companies for the production of gelatine products in Germany, which may have resulted in the underpayment of customs duties.

The main company, based in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg (Germany), imports collagen raw materials from a subsidiary in Brazil and processes them into gelatine supplied to manufacturers across the food, pharmaceutical and healthcare industries for the production of consumer products, including fruit jellies and gummy bears.

According to the investigation, the subsidiary company invoiced the main company with a lower price, which served as the basis for the calculation of the customs duties, at the time of the importation. Then, within the year, the subsidiary company submitted additional debit notes for the same products, without integrating them in the customs value, as required by the applicable laws. 

As a result, the main company may have paid less customs duties than was legally due. It is estimated that the undervaluation of the products resulted in customs duty losses totalling approximately €285 000 over the period between 2021–2023.

International cooperation with Brazilian authorities

The investigation counted on the support of Brazil’s Federal Revenue Service (Receita Federal), Federal Police (Polícia Federal) and Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office (Ministério Público Federal) through international cooperation. Searches were conducted at the subsidiary’s premises in the greater São Paulo area. 

In Germany, officers from the Stuttgart Customs Investigation Office (Zollfahndungsamt Stuttgart) conducted searches at the main company’ premises, at the premises of a customs’ representative and at a logistics centre, as well as the residence of suspects.

In Belgium, the Belgian Federal Judicial Police (CDGEFID) were involved in a house search in the province of Flemish Brabant.

Electronic evidence, documents and a phone were seized.  

All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in the competent courts of law.

The 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.