Case 18/87 Commission of the European Communities v Federal Republic of Germany (Live Animal Imports) [1988]
Facts
- Germany charged a fee for inspection costs of live animals upon their import
Issue
- Was this fee contrary to the EU’s common customs policy (now Art 28 TFEU)?
Decision
- No
Reasoning
- Any charge on imports would usually be classed as a customs duty, which would be prohibited
- This particular charge constituted payment for an actual economic service which fulfilled obligations under EU law
- The charge was economically justifiable
