Finance
Italy seizes $32 million from france's CEVA logistics in tax and labour probe
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 3, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 3, 2026
Quick Summary
Italy’s financial police have seized €27.4 million (about $31.8 million) from two CEVA Logistics units over suspected false invoices, tax fraud and illegal labour practices, marking another high‑profile case in a series of crackdowns on logistics firms in Milan.
Italy Seizes $32M from CEVA Logistics in Tax Fraud and Labour Probe
CEVA Logistics Faces Renewed Scrutiny in Italy
MILAN, March 3 (Reuters) - Italy's tax police said on Tuesday they had seized 27.4 million euros ($31.8 million) from two units of France's CEVA Logistics, in a fresh chapter of investigations into alleged tax fraud and illegal labour practices that previously ensnared other major companies.
Wider Crackdown on Logistics Sector
The move against the French multinational, known for its partnership with Ferrari's F1 team, follows similar actions against other logistics and delivery firms in Italy, including FedEx, Amazon and DHL.
Details of the Allegations
Milan prosecutors accuse CEVA units of issuing false invoices to mask the use of cheap labour, bypassing labour and tax laws to avoid tax and social security payments.
Company Response
CEVA Logistics did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Ongoing Investigations and Legal Proceedings
Prosecutors are probing three managers from CEVA Logistics Italia and two from CEVA Ground Logistics Italy, as well as the two CEVA units themselves, for alleged false tax declarations during 2020-2024, according to judicial decrees seen by Reuters.
History of Legal Issues
It is the second time in less than a decade that CEVA Logistics Italia has been targeted by Milan prosecutors for labour laws violations.
Previous Court Administration
In May 2019, it was placed under court administration for a year over alleged workforce exploitation. That measure was revoked early, in February 2020, after a Milan judge found the company had taken sufficient remedial action, adopting a new business model focused on "transparency and legality."
Exchange Rate Information
($1 = 0.8617 euros)
(Reporting by Emilio Parodi and Alvise Armellini, editing by Bernadette Baum)
Key Takeaways
- •The seizure targets CEVA Logistics Italia and CEVA Ground Logistics Italy for allegedly issuing false invoices to mask cheap labour and evade tax and social security payments during 2020–2024 – two managers from each unit and one additional manager are under investigation along with the companies themselves (uk.finance.yahoo.com).
- •This follows earlier Milan investigations and asset seizures involving major players: Amazon’s Italian logistics unit settled a probe by paying around €180 million after an initial seizure of €121 million; UPS had €86.5 million seized in late 2023; Kuehne+Nagel and Iperal saw €33 million seized in April 2025 (investing.com).
- •Authorities have demanded employment regularisation: over 30 firms in similar probes have been required to formalise direct employment for more than 49,000 workers, indicating a systemic issue in Italy’s logistics and labour market (uk.finance.yahoo.com).
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Italy seizes $32 million from France's CEVA Logistics in tax and labour probe
1Why did Italy seize funds from CEVA Logistics?
Italy's tax police seized €27.4 million from CEVA Logistics' Italian units over allegations of tax fraud and illegal labour practices.
2Which CEVA Logistics units are under investigation?
CEVA Logistics Italia and CEVA Ground Logistics Italy are both under investigation for false tax declarations and labour violations.
3What are the main accusations against CEVA Logistics?
Milan prosecutors accuse the CEVA units of issuing false invoices, using cheap labour, and bypassing tax and social security laws.
4Has CEVA Logistics faced similar investigations before?
Yes, in 2019 CEVA Logistics Italia was placed under court administration for alleged workforce exploitation.
5Which other firms have faced similar probes in Italy?
Other logistics and delivery firms such as FedEx, Amazon, and DHL have also been investigated for tax and labour law violations in Italy.
