In Zeebrugge, the European distribution center of the handler of Chinese solar panels Easylog Solutions has been sealed as part of a major European fraud investigation. This is reported by the transport trade magazine Flows. The company reacts with incomprehension.
On March 28, there was a major legal action against customs fraud in Chinese goods traffic at and around Liège airport. On the orders of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), ten house searches were carried out and four people were arrested. Between 2019 and 2022, at least 303 million euros in VAT and 6.6 million euros in customs duties would have been evaded, business newspapers L’Echo and De Tijd previously wrote.
The research therefore also had an extension to Zeebrugge, reports Flows now. The warehouses of Easylog Solutions were sealed. Minister of Justice Vincent Van Quickenborne confirmed this week in the Parliamentary Committee on Justice that house searches have taken place in Zeebrugge, without mentioning the name of the company.
Easylog denies all allegations. Completing the formalities for customs duties and taxes upon arrival of goods in Belgium is not the responsibility of Easylog Solutions, but is solely the work of customs agents.
The blockade of the warehouse also has major economic consequences. “Closing operations damages the company. This prevents solar panels from leaving for construction sites. As a result, the company cannot meet its obligations to customers, employees and subcontractors,” the spokesperson told Flows. The real estate group Intervest has also been affected by the sealing, as have logistics service providers in Zeebrugge.
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