New duty regulations on tobacco, beer producers and alcohol-based fuels

The Finance Ministry has proposed new regulations concerning tobacco and beer trade in Poland. Under the new law, the sale of cigarettes without the price printed on the package would be allowed only until the end of this year. This is to curtail the room for maneuver for those who try to avoid paying high tobacco excise duty by not revealing the real price charged for products they sell. Beginning next year, selling cigarettes in packs without a price will be charged with full excise duty imposed on the trader, regardless if it was already paid by the producer or importer. In case a trader sells cigarettes above the price printed on the package he will have to pay 25% of the difference between the price printed and demanded. Unlike tobacco traders, small beer producers will enjoy lower excise duty on their products. The Ministry would also like to introduce excise duty tax break for gasohol. At the same time it is planning to downgrade the sale of kerosene for purposes other than heating. The new regulations would take effect two weeks after they are officially announced. (Rzeczpospolita, page B1