The Austrian Ministry of Finance had significantly less customs revenue in the previous year and attributes this primarily to reduced travel. A particularly sharp decline was recorded in the area of ​​cigarette smuggling, while at the same time the tobacco shops had higher sales.

Naturally, the customs controls in tourist traffic were particularly affected by the first lockdown and the almost standstill of international travel. The number of travelers fell by 1 percent from the 2st to the 2020nd quarter of 60,73, and controls by 85,83 percent. Applications from visitors from third or non-EU countries for VAT refunds on purchases made in Austria fell by 95,36 percent to 9.074 tax refund applications.

In 2020, customs recorded a total of 19.482.533 travelers at airports and external borders (2019: 46.209.486) and processed 656.325 applications for VAT refunds. In the first quarter of 1 there were 2021 travelers and 2.456.101 tax refund applications.

“The fact that Vienna Airport was able to handle 75 percent fewer passengers in the previous year than in 2019 naturally also affected customs. Although the customs officers were confronted with difficult framework conditions as a result of the pandemic, they were always on duty for our economy, our protection and our security, ”said Finance Minister Gernot Blümel (ÖVP).