Antwerp Port Fraud Investigation Uncovers €11.3m Customs Fraud Scheme

Investigators at the European Public Prosecutor's Office have uncovered an alleged customs fraud scheme at Belgium's Port of Antwerp that may have cost the EU over €11.3 million in lost import duties. The investigation, which led to three arrests in January, involves a suspected conspiracy between a customs official and two private company managers who allegedly forged documents and facilitated the evasion of tariffs on goods passing through one of Europe's busiest ports.

The operation, conducted under the supervision of an investigating judge in Antwerp, demonstrates how corruption at major ports can undermine the EU's financial interests while exposing vulnerabilities in customs oversight systems. All those arrested remain presumed innocent until proven guilty in Belgian courts.

Background and Context

The Port of Antwerp handles more than 200 million tonnes of cargo annually, serving as a critical gateway for goods entering the European Union. Its strategic importance makes it both an economic engine and a potential weak point in the EU's customs framework. The current investigation, initiated in 2024 following a complaint by Belgium's General Administration of Customs and Excise, focuses on how fraudulent customs declarations were allegedly processed to avoid legitimate duties.

Customs fraud at major European ports has long been recognized as a significant threat to the EU's financial interests. The European Public Prosecutor's Office, established in 2021 to combat crimes affecting the EU budget, has made port-related fraud one of its enforcement priorities. The Antwerp case represents one of the largest suspected fraud schemes uncovered since the EPPO began operations.

Key Figures and Entities

Court documents indicate that three individuals are at the center of the investigation: a customs official employed at the Port of Antwerp and two managers of companies providing customs services. Authorities have not released the names of the suspects, but the EPPO has confirmed that all three were arrested during coordinated raids on January 20, 2026.

The alleged scheme reportedly involved collaboration between the government official and private sector actors to manipulate customs procedures. According to investigators, this arrangement allowed fraudulent shipments to clear customs without proper inspection or duty assessment. The companies involved remain unnamed in public disclosures, though records show they were active in customs operations at the port.

Legal and Financial Mechanisms

The fraudulent scheme allegedly relied on forged documentation and the abuse of trusted trader programs designed to expedite legitimate commerce. Investigators believe the suspects exploited legitimate customs procedures by submitting falsified import declarations that undervalued goods or misclassified them to qualify for lower tariff rates.

Financial records reviewed by investigators show that the scheme involved multiple bank accounts, several of which were seized during the January raids. The approximately €11.3 million in estimated losses represents unpaid import duties that should have been collected on legitimate tariff rates. The investigation also recovered unspecified amounts of cash during the searches.

International Implications and Policy Response

The case highlights ongoing challenges in protecting the EU's financial interests across border crossings within the single market. Despite harmonized customs regulations, enforcement remains primarily the responsibility of national authorities, creating potential inconsistencies in oversight and enforcement standards.

The cross-border nature of the investigation—coordinating between Belgian and Dutch authorities—demonstrates the importance of international cooperation in combating customs fraud. The operation involved 48 officers from Belgium's General Administration of Customs and Excise, multiple units from the Belgian Federal Police, and support from the Dutch Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD).

EU policymakers have been considering reforms to strengthen customs oversight, including enhanced digital verification systems and increased powers for the EPPO to investigate and prosecute cross-border customs fraud. The Antwerp investigation may provide additional momentum for these reforms as the EU seeks to protect approximately €18 billion in annual customs revenue.

Sources

This report draws on public statements from the European Public Prosecutor's Office, operational information from Belgium's General Administration of Customs and Excise, and coordination details from the Belgian Federal Police. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details may emerge as legal proceedings continue in the Belgian court system.