Dieselverbranding

Dieselverbranding, also known as diesel laundering, is a fraudulent practice where individuals or businesses attempt to avoid paying taxes on diesel fuel by misrepresenting its origin or intended use. This often involves acquiring untaxed or low-taxed diesel fuel, such as agricultural diesel, and then selling it as on-road, taxed diesel. The intent is to profit from the price difference created by tax exemptions or lower tax rates.

The methods employed in dieselverbranding can vary. Some schemes involve the illegal diversion of fuel intended for agricultural or heating purposes. In other instances, fuel might be dyed to indicate a tax-exempt status, and this dye is then removed or masked through chemical processes to make it appear as standard, taxed diesel. This is a complex and often dangerous process due to the chemicals involved.

This illegal activity deprives governments of significant tax revenue, which is used to fund public services such as road maintenance and infrastructure development. It also creates an unfair competitive disadvantage for legitimate fuel suppliers and businesses that comply with tax regulations. Regulatory bodies and law enforcement agencies actively investigate and prosecute dieselverbranding operations. Penalties for involvement can include substantial fines and imprisonment.