Italy: One suspect pleads guilty in yacht import customs fraud case, another indicted
European Public Prosecutor's Office
(Luxembourg, 26 June 2026) – The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Venice (Italy) has filed an indictment against a suspect in a case involving the fraudulent import of a yacht from Australia without declaring the ship to customs, in order to evade payment of VAT. Another suspect has entered into a plea agreement, subject to approval by the court.
The case concerns suspected aggravated smuggling, relating to the failure to submit a customs import declaration for a sailing yacht, a multiple winner of international regattas.
Based on the investigation, it appears that the offence has been committed jointly by a skipper based in Trieste, who imported the ship, and the director of an Australian company, the owner of the yacht in question.