2024-04-12 22:14:12
The change in the maximum limit of tobacco boxes that can enter France from other European Union (EU) countries, which went from one to four at the end of March, should not serve as a justification for crossing the border and purchasing the product with the aim of reselling it, warned the French Minister of Public Accounts during a visit to Moselle on Thursday.
“The regulations haven’t changed and this is not an open bar. We do not have the right to fetch packaging from across the border to sell”, highlighted Thomas Cazenave, quoted by Paperjam magazine.
The government official said that this practice, which is very common particularly between France and Luxembourg, “harms tobacco shops and public finances”. According to a study by Tobacco and matches industrial exploitation company (Society for the industrial exploitation of tobacco and matches, Sect in the French acronym), 39% of tobacco consumption in France comes from the parallel market.
Woman detained for transporting tobacco worth 5,500 euros purchased in Luxembourg
Until now, the limit for tobacco taken from another EU country to France was 200 cigarettes (one box). With the legislative change that came into force on March 29, this quantity is now set at 800 cigarettes (four boxes) or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or 1 kg of tobacco.
In addition to this limit, customs officials will take other criteria into account when carrying out controls, which means that, even if the reference quantity is met, fines may be imposed for other reasons.
Minister defends agreement at European level
The agents will be attentive to the economic activity of the holder of the products, the reasons that justify having them in their possession, the mode of transport and packaging, the nature of the articles and quantity transported, traces of a possible exchange, namely an indication of a recipient other than the owner and to your destination, if this is different from your residence.
“At the slightest doubt, even [que a quantidade esteja] below the four boxes, the merchandise can be seized”, declared the minister. On the other hand, if the customs services realize that the tobacco in question was purchased in other Member States for commercial purposes, excise duty and VAT will be immediately charged.
French people will be able to buy more cigarettes in Luxembourg
Thomas Cazenave, who opposes further price increases, instead advocating the harmonization of tobacco taxation at European level, believes that special attention needs to be paid to the “specific situation of cross-border workers”. “To deal with this, we have to reinforce controls”, he stressed.
Despite the particular challenge represented by Luxembourg, where a pack of cigarettes is sold at more than half the price in France, the executive led by Gabriel Attal does not intend to call on the neighboring country to begin bilateral discussions in this regard. “I think part of the solution lies in our ability to reach an agreement in Europe. We need more Europe”, concludes Thomas Cazenave.
2024-04-12 22:14:12