Generic Chinese VFD, no CE and no earth connection to exposed metal heatsink

[m_c]

If it was sent from Germany, it would have been invoiced from Germany, so imported into the EU and resold, so if it is not CE, this is illegal.

I thought the way these things worked was the items are held in a bonded warehouse, so not technically imported until they are sold. At which point they officially get imported to the EU (or forwarded to another country for import), and any import tax paid?

So as Nick says, it's still technically sold direct from China, just delivered via third party bonded storage.