A union of German states for uniformity of customs, established in 1819. It continued until the unification of the German empire, Including Prussia, Saxony, Bavaria, Wurtemberg, Baden, Hesse-Cassel, Brunswick, and Mecklenburg-Strelltz, and all Intermediate principalities. It has now been superseded by the German empire;, and the federal council of the empire has taken the place of that of the Zoll-Verein. Wharton.