Rauchschneider

Rauchschneider is a term used in the German language to describe a type of smuggler who specializes in evading customs and excise regulations on tobacco products imported from abroad. The term is a combination of "Rauch" meaning smoke or smoke-related products and "Schneider" meaning tailor or controller but in a broader sense includes anyone who evades or manipulates official controls.

Historically, the rise of Rauchschneider activity can be linked to the significant differences in tobacco tax policies between West Germany and other European countries, particularly the UK and Switzerland. Smugglers would bring back large quantities of tax-free cigarettes or other tobacco products from these countries and sell them on the black market in Germany, often at significantly lower prices than the retail price of equivalent products sold in official channels.

The activities of Rauchschneider were often seen as a challenge to the German government's efforts to curb cigarette smoking and collect tobacco tax revenues. Law enforcement agencies and customs officials in Germany have made efforts to curb this activity by increasing border controls and enforcing stricter regulations on tobacco imports.

Despite the efforts to combat Rauchschneider activity, the black market for tobacco products continues to exist in Germany. The persistence of this issue highlights the ongoing challenges of regulating cross-border trade in goods subject to significant taxation and public health regulations.