The Illegal Goods Influx in Switzerland
Illegal goods from online commerce are flooding Switzerland, prompting authorities to respond with large-scale inspections.
Uncovering a Dangerous Trend
The prohibited item is pink and could easily pass as a pen, except for the sharp twists in the metal. Tanja Brunner carefully removes the object from its plastic wrapping and displays it. “This is not a pen,” she says, “It’s a Kubotan, a stabbing weapon banned in our country.”
Tanja Brunner is the head of customs in Zurich. On Tuesday, she demonstrated at the logistics center of delivery service DPD in Buchs, how her team conducted the largest online commerce goods inspection in Swiss customs history.
The Challenge of Package Control
- The surge in cross-border online trade due to the pandemic has reached unprecedented levels, with an expected 55 million imports this year.
- Inspecting all packages is impossible, leading customs to focus on targeted inspections like the recent large-scale operation.
Results and Seizures
During the operation, 15,000 packages were scanned, 1,500 were opened, resulting in the seizure of nearly 700 illegal goods, mainly medicines, counterfeit goods, and weapons.
Weapons, Lasers, and More
Targeted Inspections
- Customs officers inspected packages randomly or based on suspicions, leveraging their experience to identify potentially illicit items.
- Notable discoveries included a Kubotan hidden in a white parcel from China among the 120,000 packages sorted nightly by DPD in Switzerland.
Complex Legalities
- Import restrictions on knives vary, with some blade types being prohibited or requiring permits.
- Items like realistic toy guns can also be banned, posing challenges for unsuspecting customers ordering online.
Health Risks and Illegal Medications
Health Concerns
- Illegal medications, including a significant portion of erectile dysfunction drugs, pose serious health risks when not obtained through legal channels.
- Customers unknowingly receive dangerous substitutes, like insulin instead of weight loss pills, emphasizing the dangers of illicit online purchases.
Combatting the Issue
- Authorities struggle to shut down illegal online pharmacies, with changing origins and tactics complicating enforcement efforts.
- Collaboration between customs, health, and law enforcement agencies is crucial to address the growing challenge of illegal goods trafficking.
Conclusion
Despite the overwhelming volume of packages, Swiss customs authorities remain vigilant in intercepting illegal goods and protecting public safety. Ongoing efforts to educate consumers, enforce regulations, and adapt to emerging trends are essential in combating the influx of illicit products.
FAQs
What are the most common illegal items intercepted by Swiss customs?
Softair pistols, illegal knives, and counterfeit medications are among the frequently seized items during customs inspections in Switzerland.
How do authorities handle the discovery of illegal goods in packages?
Upon identifying illicit items, customs officials confiscate the goods and initiate legal proceedings to determine the intended recipient’s involvement and potential legal violations.