Revenue operations targeting the importation of illicit weight loss products
Over recent weeks, Revenue’s Customs Service has conducted a number of operations targeting the illicit importation of weight loss and other medical products. These operations were conducted as a result of enhanced risk profiling techniques used by Revenue.
In one such operation, assisted by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), a total of 85 shipments of illicit medical weight-loss products were identified. This included items packaged as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. Further detections over the course of the operation resulted in the interception of additional products packaged as Tirzepatide.
In a separate operation, conducted over the course of a two-week period, 635 detections were made whilst Revenue officers were examining parcels at premises in Dublin and the Midlands. These parcels contained a range of illicit medical products packaged as Semaglutide, together with substantial volumes of previously unknown Botox-type and tanning products believed to have been sourced via social media.
These seizures reflect an emerging trend noted by Revenue officers, particularly those based at the national mail centres and courier hubs, who have seen a significant increase in packages containing mail order prescription-only medical products. The vast majority of packages intercepted contain weight-loss products addressed to private individuals who have purchased these products online. Larger consignments are occasionally detected at ports and airports.
As at 31 May 2025, Revenue enforcement teams have seized almost 11,000 individual weight loss products during the course of various ongoing operations. This is a significant increase on the 2,300 individual products seized over the course of 2024.
Our work in this space is supported by advanced risk analysis, profiling and the range of assets available to us. Our strategy also involves developing and sharing intelligence on a national, EU and international basis, and we continue to adopt an agile response to ensure that we deploy our resources optimally to counteract new risk areas as they develop.
Consumers are reminded that it is important to take care when purchasing medical products online, as they may not be safe or effective. Consumers should also be cautious as they may suffer a financial loss if goods they purchase are subsequently seized because they are subject to restrictions.
Investigations in respect of all operations are ongoing.
[ENDS 12/06/2025]