Over 8,000 violations found at Estonia's eastern border since full customs checks began
Since introducing total customs control at Estonia's eastern border two years ago, officials have carried out more than a million checks and uncovered over 8,000 violations, mostly involving attempts to smuggle euro banknotes and consumer goods.
Estonia's Tax and Customs Board (MTA) has conducted more than 1.05 million checks at the country's eastern border since introducing full customs control there, uncovering 8,143 violations, the agency's press office reported.
Full customs control of all goods, vehicles and people crossing the border in the outbound direction was introduced at Estonia's eastern border two years ago. Since then, officials have checked more than a million passengers and nearly 47,000 cars and trucks. On average, customs officers detect more than 13 violations per day at the eastern border.
Limiting supplies to Russia's war machine
According to Voldemar Linno, head of MTA's customs control department, full customs control has significantly helped restrict financing of Russia's military machine. The purpose of every inspection is to ensure that goods which could support military action against Ukraine, or which might in the future threaten the security of Estonia and the European Union, do not reach Russia. While the introduction of full control has considerably increased the workload on officials, the results show it has helped block the flow of Western-origin goods and other resources into Russia, thereby limiting the country's ability to maintain its usual economic and social life under wartime conditions.
The most common violations at the border involve attempts to take out euro banknotes and consumer goods. Items frequently smuggled toward Russia include electronics, electronic devices, computer components and tools, as well as luxury goods such as clothing, jewelry, and expensive alcohol or tobacco products. In total, MTA has blocked the export of 2,072,220 euros.
