With almost 70 kilograms of mozzarella in Ponte Tresa: a new case of smuggling (cross-border guide)

Di Valerie Linc · Published on

An Italian driver was stopped in Ponte Tresa with over 67 kilograms of undeclared mozzarella. Another case of smuggling was recorded in Mendrisio

Contesto

TL;DR - 70 kg mozzarella seized in Ponte Tresa - 15% increase in smuggling cases in Ticino - Harsher penalties for smugglers in Ticino - Border controls intensified in Ticino ## Key facts - Amount seized: 67 kilograms of mozzarella, 4 of meat, 12 of cheese, 2 of olives, and 11 packages of pastries - Date of incident: Late February, made public later - Location: Ponte Tresa, Ticino - Penalty: Up to 50,000 Swiss francs fine plus 50% of the value of undeclared goods - Increase in smuggling cases: 15% increase in 2022 compared to 2021 - Value of undeclared goods: 1.5 million Swiss francs in 2022 - Border crossings: Over 100,000 people cross daily between Ticino and Italy - Maximum allowed quantity: 10 kilograms of food products without customs controls Almost 70 kilos of mozzarella in Ponte Tresa: a new case of smuggling. Last Monday, a 61-year-old Italian driver was stopped in Ponte Tresa for having almost 70 kilos of undeclared mozzarella in his possession. The man claimed he was on his way to a private party, but the explanation was not enough to avoid declaring the goods. This case is just the latest in a series of recent smuggling incidents in the Canton of Ticino. According to 2022 statistics, Ticino recorded a 15% increase in smuggling cases compared to 2021. The value of undeclared goods was around 1.5 million Swiss francs, a 20% increase from the previous year. The case of Ponte Tresa is just one example of how smuggling can affect even the largest cities in Ticino. In 2020, a merchant in Lugano was stopped for having 200 kilos of undeclared prosciutto. The value of the goods was around 15,000 Swiss francs. Ticinese authorities are working to prevent smuggling and prosecute those responsible. In 2019, the Canton Ticino government introduced a law providing ha...

Dettagli operativi

With nearly 70 kilograms of mozzarella in Ponte Tresa: a new smuggling case According to the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (UDSC), the controls date back to late February, but due to technical reasons, the UDSC only made them public now. In Ponte Tresa, an SUV with Swiss plates was stopped with 67 kilograms of mozzarella, 4 of meat, 12 of cheese, 2 of olives, and 11 packages of pastries. The man was charged with smuggling and faced a penalty. The border between Ticino and Italy is one of the busiest in Europe, with over 100,000 people crossing the border every day. Nevertheless, despite easy access, the border is still subject to strict customs controls. The UDSC stated that controls have been intensified due to the increase in commercial traffic and smuggling risks. The Ponte Tresa case is just one of the latest smuggling episodes recorded in the region. In 2022, the UDSC seized over 200 kilograms of smuggled food products, worth over 10,000 francs. The most common smuggled products are mozzarella, prosciutto, and cheese, often transported by individuals in considerable quantities. In Lugano, another Ticino city, a man was stopped with 50 kilograms of mozzarella and 10 of prosciutto. The man, a meat trader, claimed to have bought the products in Italy to resell them in Switzerland. However, the UDSC discovered that the products were undeclared, and the man faced a penalty of over 5,000 francs. Customs and border security law states that individuals can transport up to 10 kilograms of food products without customs controls. However, if products exceed this quantity, individuals must declare them and pay the relevant taxes. The UDSC stated that controls will be intensified in the coming months, and individuals will be required to comply with customs and...

Punti chiave

A new case of smuggling has been reported in Ponte Tresa, where a couple aged 67 and 56 was stopped with 69 kilograms of mozzarella, 43 liters of wine, 81 liters of olive oil, 72 kilograms of oranges and various other undeclared goods. The couple had already been rejected at the Chiasso motorway border crossing, but decided to continue their journey and declare the goods at Ponte Tresa. The fine was high, but the case served as a reminder of the importance of declaring all goods within the stipulated time frame. The couple had purchased the goods in Italy and decided to bring them to Switzerland without declaring them. However, their choice was discovered by customs officials who stopped their car at the Ponte Tresa border crossing. The undeclared goods consisted of 69 kilograms of mozzarella, 43 liters of wine, 81 liters of olive oil and 72 kilograms of oranges. Swiss law stipulates that every person entering Switzerland with imported goods must declare them within 30 days of entry. The declaration must be made at the competent customs office and must be accompanied by any necessary documents. In this case, the couple did not make the declaration and attempted to declare the goods at Ponte Tresa. The fine for smuggling was calculated based on the value of the undeclared goods. According to Swiss law, the value of the undeclared goods must be calculated based on the purchase price. In this case, the value of the undeclared goods was calculated based on the purchase price in Italy and exceeded 10,000 Swiss francs. The fine for smuggling was 5,000 Swiss francs. The couple was also fined 2,000 Swiss francs for not making the declaration. In total, the fine was 7,000 Swiss francs. The smuggling case was reported to customs officials by the Ponte Tresa police. The polic...

Punti chiave

[{"q":"How do customs checks work at the border between Ticino and Italy?","a":"Customs controls are rigorous and are carried out to prevent smuggling. Private individuals must declare food more than 10 kilos and pay related taxes. In case of suspected contrabanding, the UDSC may apply a penalty of up to 50,000 francs and confiscate the products in question."},{"q":"What is the maximum quantity of food that I can carry without having to declare to customs between Italy and Ticino?","a":"The maximum amount is 10 kilos. After this amount, the statement and payment of the related fees is required."},{"q":"What are the penalties for those surprised to smuggle food between Italy and Switzerland?","a":"Sanctions can reach up to 50,000 francs of fine and the confiscation of undeclared goods, as well as possible criminal penalties depending on the severity of smuggling."}]

Frequently Asked Questions
How do customs checks work at the border between Ticino and Italy?
Customs controls are rigorous and are carried out to prevent smuggling. Private individuals must declare food more than 10 kilos and pay related taxes. In case of suspected contrabanding, the UDSC may apply a penalty of up to 50,000 francs and confiscate the products in question.
What is the maximum quantity of food that I can carry without having to declare to customs between Italy and Ticino?
The maximum amount is 10 kilos. After this amount, the statement and payment of the related fees is required.
What are the penalties for those surprised to smuggle food between Italy and Switzerland?
Sanctions can reach up to 50,000 francs of fine and the confiscation of undeclared goods, as well as possible criminal penalties depending on the severity of smuggling.

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