Considerations on COM(2005)427 - Amendment of Directive 69/169/EEC as regards as the temporary quantitative restriction on beer imports into Finland

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dossier COM(2005)427 - Amendment of Directive 69/169/EEC as regards as the temporary quantitative restriction on beer imports into Finland.
document COM(2005)427 EN
date December 21, 2005
 
table>(1)Articles 4 and 5 of Council Directive 69/169/EEC of 28 May 1969 on the harmonisation of provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action relating to exemption from turnover tax and excise duty on imports in international travel (3) provide for allowances in respect of excisable goods contained in the luggage of travellers coming from third countries on condition that such imports have no commercial character.
(2)Directive 69/169/EEC allows Finland until 31 December 2005 to restrict the import of beer by individuals to not less than 6 litres per person due to serious economic difficulties of Finnish retail traders in the border region as well as a considerable loss of revenue caused by the increased import of beer from third countries. Finland has applied the allowance only to a limited extent and restricted the import of beer to a maximum 16 litres per person.

(3)The accession of new Member States has provided new opportunities for people travelling from one of the Member States, especially from Estonia, who wish to bring beer into Finland. Finland reacted to this situation by reducing tax rates on alcoholic beverages across the board by, on average, 33 %, which is by far the most significant change for 40 years.

(4)The reduction in alcohol tax rates has led not only to significant losses of excise duty revenue but also to increased problems in relation to alcohol policy and to social and health policy. Furthermore, problems in public order and an increase in alcohol-related crime have arisen.

(5)Finland has requested a derogation from Article 4(1) of Directive 69/169/EEC to apply a maximum limit for beer imports by travellers from third countries of not less than 16 litres per person.

(6)Account should be taken of the geographical situation of Finland, the economic difficulties of the Finnish retail traders located in the border regions and the considerable loss of revenue caused by the increased imports of beer from third countries.

(7)For those reasons and in the light of the current reflections on a general revision of the values and quantities of goods set out in Directive 69/169/EEC, it is appropriate to authorise Finland to apply the requested derogation for a further period until 31 December 2007,