WCO throws out Poland's suit against heavy-weight cigarette manufacturers

The World Customs Organization (WCO) has ruled against Poland in the dispute with tobacco giants Philip Morris, American Tobacco and Reynolds. Poland's Central Customs Office (GUC) had accused the tobacco firms of deliberately importing blends of both processed and unprocessed tobacco in an effort to classify the product in a lower customs-duty category. According to GUC, the mixture, which contained 70% and 30% unprocessed and processed tobacco respectively, was levied a duty of 30%, stipulated for the former, instead of 230% for the latter category. Tobacco firms allegedly evaded paying tariffs of up to zl.720 million by resorting to this practice. Philip Morris legal counsel Robert Wyszynski says the decision of the WCO is a vindication of his company's importing practices it has consistently applied since 1973. He also called on Poland to urgently adapt its customs practices to those recommended by the WCO, which call for, among other things, allowing the importation of tobacco mixtures. (Rzeczpospolita, p.B3