On 17 September 2024, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), an EU body that prosecutes among others financial crimes that affect the EU budget, announced that it is seeking criminal penalties from two companies and five of their directors of more than 8 years imprisonment along with a fine of over EUR 25 million. Over 30 properties linked to the defendants were seized to ensure that the defendants can meet their financial liabilities.
EPPO alleges that the defendants falsely declared imports of steel sheets from China, which are subject to anti-dumping duties, as imports of slabs, which are semi-finished products not subject to anti-dumping duties.
While details of this case remain scant, EPPO has been ramping up its enforcement activities, often working closely together with the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and EU Member State customs authorities. One in ten EPPO cases – or approximately 100 cases per year – involve customs and anti-dumping fraud.
In an earlier post, we cautioned against the risks of evading anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties in the EU. These risks become ever more big as EPPO steps up enforcement.
