In July 2021, the Environmental Investigation Agency report revealed how thousands of tonnes of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) enter the European Union illegally yearly. HFCs are used primarily for cooling in air-conditionings or refrigerators and are a potent greenhouse gas, contributing significantly to global warming. Recognising this, the EU is aiming to phase out these gases. However, HFC smuggling is undermining the bloc's climate efforts, enabled by regulatory loopholes and corruption at Europe's borders.