FS: International Operation Uncovers Customs and Tax Evasion Worth over €137 mn

Bratislava, 10 April (TASR) - An international operation codenamed 'Sublimit' has uncovered extensive customs and tax evasion, with the total estimated loss in customs duties and VAT amounting to over €137 million, Financial Administration (FS/the tax and customs office) spokesperson Daniel Kovac reported on Friday, adding that the Criminal Office of Financial Administration (KUFS), in cooperation with international partners, successfully carried out an operation aimed at uncovering serious economic crime. It is estimated that customs duties were underpaid by at least €24.1 million, while unpaid VAT amounts to more than €113.3 million across nearly 4,000 delivered shipments. "KUFS officers conducted house searches as well as searches of other premises and properties in several areas of western Slovakia. At the same time, other seizure operations were underway as part of criminal proceedings led by KUFS and the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO)," stated Kovac. The operation was launched by KUFS officers in the early morning hours of Thursday, 9 April. Other measures were also underway in a criminal case conducted by EPPO and KUFS regarding suspicions of underreporting import duties on goods imported from China, which were cleared through customs in Slovakia in 2017 and 2018 by declaring false information regarding the value of the goods and the place of delivery to the declared recipients in the Czech Republic. am