Customs income in Germany decreases: decline of 150 billion euros!

Customs income in Germany decreases: decline of 150 billion euros!

Chorweiler, Deutschland - Customs in Germany generated a total of 150.4 billion euros in income in 2023, but that is less than in the previous year than was 157.9 billion euros. A decline that, on closer inspection, is primarily due to the reduced import sales tax. This levy is due for the import of goods from third countries and made a large part of the customs income. In 2023, the customs were only able to earn 73.5 billion euros here after it was 78.8 billion euros, such as [Radio Cologne] (https://www.radiokoeln.de/artikel/ revenue-des-zolls-sind-2024-gele-2343968.html).

not only the import sales tax shows a downward trend; The income from consumer taxes has also dropped. While in 2022 there were still 62.4 billion euros in the coffers, in 2023 it was only 59.9 billion euros. The energy tax, which is to be paid when refueling diesel and other fuels, has played a central role. In 2023 it brought in 36.7 billion euros and thus remains the most important consumption tax in Germany.

A look at the numbers

The fronts are clear: most of the income from import sales tax and consumer taxes flows directly into the federal funds. In fact, these income is essential for the financing of various state tasks. With regard to consumer taxes, energy tax at 35.1 billion euros was the largest source of income, followed by other taxes that are specifically connected to the consumption of goods such as alcohol and tobacco.

A look at the data from 2014 to 2023 shows that the income from the different types of taxes has not only fluctuated in recent years, but also stand against the background of global economic developments. As striking as it may seem, the statistics once again illustrate how sensitively these income reacts to external influencing factors. This is also evidenced by the current figures that the [Federal Customs Administration] (https://de.statista.com/statistik/studie/29309/umfische-vere-verussteuer-und-einfuhr sales/).

For the future, it remains to be seen whether the income of customs is stabilized or whether this tendency will continue to fall. Of course, the economic framework is crucial for how these income develops. For citizens, this means that they should continue to pay attention to pricing in imported goods and consumer goods.