In the post-war period from 1945 onwards, contraband mostly took the route from Denmark to Germany. Because of the wartime shortages in Germany, Denmark had imposed an export ban on many goods, which increased smuggling. Most of the contraband was foodstuffs, but also coffee, tea and money were transferred.
Later, quite a few Danes tried to smuggle cheap tobacco and alcoholic beverages from Germany around their country's import borders. If you were caught, though, it could prove expensive. But that hardly stopped anyone: One man, for example, was caught with a load of bottles that cost him 100,000 kroner in customs and fines. As he carried no money, he was granted a respite until the next day. He did appear, paid the amount and said goodbye. But just before he left, a customs official wanted to have a quick look in the trunk compartment. And lo and behold – he found another contraband. The same amount of smuggled bottles that the delinquent had just paid for.
Later, quite a few Danes tried to smuggle cheap tobacco and alcoholic beverages from Germany around their country's import borders. If you were caught, though, it could prove expensive. But that hardly stopped anyone: One man, for example, was caught with a load of bottles that cost him 100,000 kroner in customs and fines. As he carried no money, he was granted a respite until the next day. He did appear, paid the amount and said goodbye. But just before he left, a customs official wanted to have a quick look in the trunk compartment. And lo and behold – he found another contraband. The same amount of smuggled bottles that the delinquent had just paid for.