Customs inspectors from the Independent Authority for Public Revenue seized 1,296 bottles of illegal freon refrigerant gas at Kipoi and Doirani on Aug. 7, 2026. The inspections were part of targeted actions to combat smuggling and protect the environment.
At the Kipoi Customs Office, inspectors carried out a physical check on a truck with Turkish license plates and a trailer following a targeted risk analysis. The search revealed 1,000 bottles of type R404A refrigerant gas carefully hidden beneath a declared cargo of drywall.
The import of type R404A refrigerant into the European Union is prohibited. Official estimates placed the total value of the truck shipment at 884,400 euros, with evaded duties and taxes totaling 283,538.64 euros.
Refrigerant contraband seized at Doirani
In the early hours of the same day, inspectors at the Doirani Customs Office checked an empty container arriving from North Macedonia. Officers discovered an additional 296 bottles of illegal type R134a refrigerant gas hidden inside a specially constructed secret compartment. Assessed duties and taxes for the Doirani shipment reached 55,000 euros.
Customs officials seized all illegal goods from both locations. Authorities followed standard procedures required by current legislation for both cases, and competent authorities are continuing further investigations.
