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German Probe: Axite Solar Accused of €30M Customs Duty Evasion

Authorities suspect Axite Solar of using shell companies and false origin statements to dodge duties. The probe involves over 150 import transactions and seven suspects.

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In the image we can see there is a poster on which there is a car parked on the ground and there's...
In the image we can see there is a poster on which there is a car parked on the ground and there's grass on the ground. There is a cloudy sky and there is matter written on the poster in chinese language.

German Probe: Axite Solar Accused of €30M Customs Duty Evasion

German authorities are investigating Bavarian company Axite Solar GmbH for allegedly evading over €30 million in customs duties. The probe, ongoing since 2013, involves suspected fraudulent practices in importing solar panels from China.

The company is accused of violating minimum import price regulations between November 2013 and November 2016. Over 150 import transactions are under scrutiny, with solar panels supplied to energy and solar parks across Germany and Europe.

Authorities suspect two fraud variants: transshipping panels through a third country with false origin statements, or circumventing minimum price regulations. An intricate network of shell and letterbox companies in Luxembourg and Hong Kong was used to conceal payment streams and maximize opacity.

The key to the alleged duty evasion was manipulating minimum import price regulations through obscured repayment or manipulated assembly and accessory costs. The company is believed to have imported panels under false pretenses or by circumventing regulations to avoid duties.

The European Union has been imposing anti-dumping and countervailing duties on solar panels and key components from China since June 2013, extended to Taiwan and Malaysia in February 2016.

Seven suspects, aged 41 to 56 and of Chinese and German nationality, are suspected of acting as intermediaries or buyers for the Chinese producer. Investigations are ongoing in Germany and by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).

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