![The Swiss border may have been well-guarded during World War II, but there were always ways to slip across.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/grenze-titel-1-300x225.jpg)
Smuggling in the tri-border area
Especially in times of scarcity, smuggling has been an important activity, and for people in the tri-border area where Switzerland meets Germany and France it has been no different. The complicated lines of the border made smuggling even more attractive here.
![The map shows just how closely Switzerland, Germany and France are interlinked.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/karte-1-215x300.jpg)
![The Eiserne Hand, or Iron Hand, on a map dating from 1923.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/karte-2-300x238.jpg)
![Smuggler’s shoe with a hollowed-out sole.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/schmugglerschuh-300x196.jpg)
![Book repurposed for smuggling.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/schmuggelbuch-300x180.jpg)
Smuggler’s shoe with a hollowed-out sole, and a book repurposed for smuggling. Both objects were collected in the early 19th century by a customs officer serving on the French border in Allschwil. Allschwiler Heimatmuseum
![‘Allo’ the coffee sniffer dog in action. Reproduced from the chronicle of the Hauptzollamt (main customs office), Lörrach.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/spuerhund-211x300.jpg)
![Border between Riehen and Lörrach.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/grenze-tram-300x282.jpg)
SPD flag brought to safety
![Party flag of the SPD, which was brought to Switzerland in 1933.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/fahne-272x300.jpg)
Dreiländermuseum Lörrach (Three Countries Museum)
The Dreiländermuseum Lörrach regularly stages exhibitions on topics relating to the three countries. The Museum devoted a special exhibition, which was accompanied by a booklet, to the subject of border history and smuggling in the tri-border area.