EPPO Probes Alleged Customs Fraud and Corruption Network at Port of Antwerp

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Brussels has launched a major investigation into alleged customs fraud, corruption, and document forgery linked to operations at the Port of Antwerp, one of Europe’s largest maritime hubs.

The case, code-named “Steamboat,” centers on suspicions that a network operating within the port orchestrated a large-scale scheme that caused significant losses to the European Union’s financial interests.

On 20 January 2026, acting under the authority and supervision of the investigating judge in Antwerp, law enforcement authorities carried out seven coordinated searches at multiple locations. During the operation, three individuals were arrested. Investigators also seized several bank accounts along with substantial amounts of cash believed to be connected to the suspected criminal activities.

The enforcement action brought together a total of 48 customs and police officers.

Participants included members of Belgium’s General Administration of Customs and Excise (Algemene Administratie van de Douane en Accijnzen) as well as several specialised units of the Belgian Federal Police, notably the Central Office for Combating Corruption (CDBC), the Federal Computer Crime Unit (FCCU), and the Canine Support Unit. Authorities were additionally supported by the Dutch Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD), reflecting the cross-border nature of the inquiry.

According to evidence gathered so far, a customs official and two managers of companies active in customs operations are suspected of having worked together from within the Port of Antwerp to carry out a customs fraud scheme. The alleged operation is believed to have resulted in an estimated loss of more than €11.3 million in import duties.

The investigation was opened in 2024 following a formal complaint submitted by Belgium’s General Administration of Customs and Excise, which alerted EPPO to potential irregularities.

As with all ongoing criminal proceedings, the EPPO emphasised that all individuals concerned are presumed innocent until proven guilty in the competent Belgian courts of law.

The EPPO is the independent public prosecution office of the European Union. It is responsible for investigating, prosecuting, and bringing to judgment crimes that affect the financial interests of the EU, including large-scale fraud, corruption, and cross-border tax evasion.

By fLEXI tEAM