Sporting goods manufacturer
Customs searches Adidas headquarters: It’s about import duties
Adidas has been in dispute with customs for years over regulations governing the import of products. Investigators have now looked around the company headquarters, among other places.
The sporting goods manufacturer Adidas is suspected of having evaded taxes when importing goods. The European Law Enforcement Agency (EPPO) said it was about customs duties and import sales tax. “There is suspicion that a group of companies that trade in sporting goods is involved in evading import taxes to the detriment of the EU budget,” it said.
“Manager Magazin” first reported on the case. The company confirmed on Tuesday evening that there had been searches at the company headquarters in Herzogenaurach and other locations, but without providing any specific information. Adidas has a large portion of its products manufactured abroad, primarily in Asian countries.
According to the statement from the European Law Enforcement Agency, there are also traces to Austria. The authority, based in Luxembourg, is responsible for prosecuting financial crimes in the EU. The Munich customs investigation office is involved in the investigation.
The dispute has been simmering for years. “The investigation covers the period from October 2019 to August 2024 and is related to compliance with customs and tax regulations when importing products into Germany,” Adidas said. The company is cooperating with the authorities and providing the necessary documents and information.
Adidas has been in discussions with the relevant customs authorities for several years about the already known facts underlying the investigation, it said. The company continues to work closely with the customs authorities to clarify questions that have arisen “as a result of different interpretations of German and European law”. “Significant financial effects” for the company are not to be expected in this context.
Import sales tax is a tax that is due when importing goods from third countries. Irregularities in dealing with this tax obligation have so far been known primarily from international online trading. In 2023, the tax authorities in Germany collected 79 billion euros from this tax.
dpa
Source: Stern
