Customs confiscate suspicious Lamborghini from Ukraine

This seizure is making headlines in Germany, and serves as a reminder of the importance of knowing the origin of an imported vehicle. On Sunday July 27, 2025, German customs intercepted a black Lamborghini Gallardo on the A8 freeway at Dornstadt, near Ulm (Baden-Württemberg). Transported on a trailer towards Stuttgart, the supercar was being driven by a 36-year-old Romanian national. The stated aim was to have it repaired in Germany before reselling it in a Bielefeld garage.

But here's the thing: at the officers' request, there was no valid document to justify the vehicle's import into the European Union. The LamborghiniThis unregistered vehicle, valued at almost €120,000, had crossed borders without prior declaration to customs.

A car of dubious origin

Questioned on the spot, the driver made contradictory statements about the vehicle's origin and final destination. This uncertainty, combined with the absence of customs papers, led officers to open an investigation on suspicion of "tax fraud". Clearly, the vehicle could be the product of an illegal import network.

For this Lamborghini Gallardo, whose V10 exceeds 500 hp and can reach speeds of over 300 km/h, the import fees would have amounted to around €25,500, to which was added a deposit of €9,600. Unable to pay this sum on the spot, the driver had his vehicle confiscated by the authorities.

What does the owner risk?

The Gallardo is now in the custody of German customs. If the outstanding amounts are not paid, the vehicle could be sold at auction. In the meantime, the driver has been charged with customs tax evasion, an offence which is severely punished in Germany.

This incident, widely reported in the German press, illustrates the risks involved in importing luxury vehicles without full verification of their history and legal status. The Lamborghini Gallardo, produced between 2003 and 2013 at Sant'Agata Bolognese, is one of the Italian brand's most popular models, with over 14,000 built. It's also a highly sought-after model on the second-hand market... which inevitably attracts dubious import attempts.

This episode reminds all prestige car enthusiasts, whether buying locally or importing, that it's crucial to check the vehicle's origin, history and administrative compliance. Because even a supercar with an Italian pedigree can conceal a murky past, and expose you to serious consequences.