Romania To Limit Quantity Of Tobacco Products, Alcohol Sold In Duty-Free Shops

According to a draft emergency decree to fight tax evasion, the Government will limit the quantity of cigarettes and alcohol, including wine and beer, which can be sold to individuals in duty-free shops.

The draft act increases annual authorization taxes for duty-free shops or duty-free retail aboard aircrafts to EUR100,000 from EUR10,000. It also states economic operators are allowed to market products in duty-free shops only after they paid excises, the value added tax and customs taxes.

Romania currently has 50 authorized duty-free shops, of which 45 are at border points.

Data of the Financial Guard and the National Customs Authority show that, in 2008, over 40% of the cigarettes seized by authorities come from duty-free shops.