Customs at BER Airport Conduct Significantly More Checks Amidst Rising Passenger Numbers

Customs officials at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) have intensified their control measures, carrying out a substantially higher number of checks in the past year. According to a spokesperson for the Main Customs Office in Potsdam, approximately 662,000 controls were conducted, a significant increase compared to the nearly 500,000 checks performed in the year prior.

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In the past year, around 662,000 controls were carried out.

These enhanced inspections led to the identification of around 9,300 violations in the past year, up from approximately 7,700 violations detected in the previous year. The majority of these violations involved the undeclared import of tobacco products.

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In 2024, there were significantly fewer, with just under 500,000 controls.

The spokesperson attributed the rise in control activities directly to the increased passenger traffic at BER. "As a result of the increased passenger volume at BER, more luggage was automatically checked," she explained. These controls are guided by intelligence assessments, such as the frequent discovery of tobacco on flights originating from Turkey and gold on flights from Dubai.

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Last year, officials detected around 9,300 violations.

"The crucial point is that customs identifies risks, uncovers criminal offenses, and combats organized crime," the spokesperson emphasized, highlighting the operational goals behind the increased scrutiny at the airport.

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In 2024, there were about 7,700 detected violations.