A 56-year-old British businessman encountered a hefty £19,650 penalty after German traffic police stopped him on the A96 motorway near Lindau while driving his £63,000 Aston Martin Vantage V8.
Import Declaration Oversight Leads to Seizure
The driver explained to officers that he was transporting the luxury sports car—famous for its association with James Bond—from Switzerland to the Czech Republic during a house relocation into the European Union. However, he had not properly declared the vehicle at the border.
Customs officials calculated the outstanding import duties and VAT, resulting in the substantial bill. Unable to pay immediately, the driver watched as authorities impounded the high-performance Aston Martin. Officers returned the car the following day after full payment.
Criminal Charges and Broader Customs Enforcement
German authorities have launched criminal proceedings against the motorist for suspected tax evasion. The Ulm Main Customs Office reports confiscating 184 vehicles last year due to missing customs declarations, classifying these as “classic import smuggling.”
A spokesperson noted: “Nearly €350,000—around £300,000—in customs duties and import tax was subsequently collected. Most of the vehicles came from Switzerland. The vehicles in all price ranges had been brought into the European Union without proper registration—classic import smuggling. Nearly €350,000 in customs duties and import sales tax were levied retroactively. Most came from Switzerland, many were transported on trailers, and some were driven on their own wheels. The main destination was Eastern Europe.”
Aston Martin’s Ongoing Challenges
Aston Martin recently announced plans to cut 20% of its workforce, affecting around 600 of its 3,000 employees based at its Gaydon, Warwickshire headquarters. The company reported net losses surging 52% to £493.2 million last year.
Executives attribute difficulties to U.S. tariffs under former President Donald Trump, described by a company spokesperson as “extremely disruptive,” alongside subdued demand in China, the world’s largest auto market. These redundancies aim to generate annual savings of £40 million, with most benefits realized this year.
