NextFin news, European prosecutors from the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) seized 2,435 shipping containers on Monday at the port of Piraeus, Greece, as part of an investigation into a large-scale import fraud involving Chinese goods. This operation marks the largest container seizure ever recorded in the European Union.
The containers, primarily filled with e-bikes, textiles, and footwear imported from China, were found to have been fraudulently declared with undervalued prices to evade customs duties and value-added tax (VAT). The estimated value of the seized goods is approximately €250 million.
Six individuals, including two customs officers and four customs brokers, have been charged with repeated false certification, customs fraud, and abetting customs fraud. The fraudulent activities reportedly caused unlawful gains and losses to the EU budget exceeding €871,000. One customs broker was detained last Friday, while the other defendants have been in detention since June.
The investigation, known as Operation Calypso, targets criminal networks—mainly controlled by Chinese nationals—that manage the import, distribution, and sale of goods across EU member states while evading customs duties and committing large-scale VAT fraud. These networks are also suspected of money laundering and transferring illicit profits back to China. In June 2025, coordinated raids across four countries led to the arrest of ten suspects.
The initial seizure of 500 containers occurred during the June raid, with an additional 1,935 containers seized upon arrival at Piraeus port, bringing the total to 2,435 containers. Greek customs authorities are currently inspecting the containers, uncovering systematic misdeclaration and undervaluation practices. For example, only 10-15% of the actual number of e-bikes in a container were declared, resulting in an estimated €25 million loss in customs duties and €12.5 million in VAT for e-bikes alone.
The fraudulent scheme has been ongoing for at least eight years, causing estimated damages of at least €350 million in customs duties and €450 million in VAT. Since the June raid, Greek customs authorities have reported improved compliance, with importers declaring goods at values closer to their actual worth.
European Chief Prosecutor Laura Codruța Kövesi stated, "Highly organised criminal networks have been specialising in this kind of fraud for years. They have grown accustomed to cause massive damages to our finances and economies with close to no risk. Investigation Calypso sends these criminals a simple message: the rules of the game have changed, no more safe havens for you!"
Governor George Pitsilis of the Hellenic Independent Authority for Public Revenue highlighted the importance of cooperation with EPPO in tackling organized financial crime and noted an increase in customs revenue at Piraeus port since the operation.
The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the Hellenic Police have supported the investigation through advanced data analysis, digital forensics, and operational cooperation.
All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in competent courts. The EPPO continues to gather evidence as the investigation proceeds.
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