Customs check in the evening at the border between the Saarland town of Nennig and the Luxembourg tank paradise of Remich: Here, according to the government-set maximum price, a liter of Super 95 initially costs 1.56 euros and diesel 1.72 euros.

Customs controls borders in Saarland

Customs inspector Finkler and his colleagues check the reserve canisters carried at the border in addition to the usual import quantities of cigarettes, alcohol, cash or prohibited items such as drugs or weapons. A maximum of 20 liters is permitted in a canister when imported into Germany. “This must also contain the appropriate fuel for the car, so if you have a diesel car, for example, you are not allowed to carry gasoline for the lawn mower at home,” explains the customs officer.

You also have to be careful with the advice from Google and Co. about the permitted transport quantities in the trunk. “The maximum permitted 240 liters of fuel in reserve canisters comes from dangerous goods law. However, when crossing the border, the customs exemption of 20 liters per vehicle applies,” explains Finkler.

The caught driver is still happy

Right at the start of the inspection, two drivers were caught with one too many filled 20 liter canisters in their luggage. Depending on the type of fuel, drivers have to pay around 13 euros in import tax directly on the spot in cash or by card. Since both drivers were honest and directly stated the number of canisters when questioned, they were spared a fine.

Driver Jens S. from Rehlingen-Siersburg fell victim to misinformation: “The woman at the gas station said one canister per person is allowed.” So he took two canisters with him for himself and his companion. He takes the whole thing with humor and is still happy: “The 13 euros don’t hurt that much now, because with my completely filled 75 liter car tank and the two 20 liter canisters in the trunk, the bottom line is that there is still a plus in my cash register.” Of the around 105 euros saved by refueling in the neighboring country, a whopping 92 euros remain after deducting customs duties. This is worth it for the caught import sinner.

How many reserve canisters are allowed?

Meanwhile, the customs officer is explaining to a driver the printed tax assessment forms for the petrol offense: “It says here that you imported 20 liters too much of the permitted 20 liters of fuel, that it was petrol and that the tax rate for 20 liters of petrol is 13.09 euros. The surcharge is not set because you have registered everything with us directly after we asked you. And here is that Legal remedy information that you have the opportunity to object if you do not agree with a measure.” The driver appears to be understanding in the conversation.

Customs inspector Finkler repeatedly holds the stop trowel in the air and questions the drivers. Over time, the excess fuel canisters carried in the vehicles wear out. Customs inspector Finkler says: “Such checkpoints can quickly be burned out, because the drivers see us as we leave Luxembourg. Then it happens that when we enter the trunk there is a canister filled and there are three empty ones next to it.”

Balance sheet of the main customs office in Saarbrücken

At around 10 p.m., the mobile customs check at the Luxembourg border ended for the evening. Conclusion from Maike Ames, press spokeswoman for the Saarbrücken main customs office: “This evening we carried out a comprehensive check on imports for goods subject to excise duty. We also had seizures in the fuel sector. I have to say: The people had each declared the fuel and it was really a small amount. The people had filled up the car and also had the fuel with them in reserve canisters. It was an extra 20 liters in each case.”