New excise stamps on alcohol, tobacco introduced in Uzbekistan
By Aynur Jafarova
Alcohol and tobacco products will be marked with new excise stamps in Uzbekistan from April 1, 2013.
The new excise stamps with additional protection levels will be applied to the products both produced in Uzbekistan and imported from other countries, Azerbaijan's Trend news agency reported on Tuesday.
Uzbekistan's Cabinet of Ministers issued a decree on the introduction of new excise stamps for alcohol and tobacco products on February 5, 2013.
The decree aims to tighten control over the illegal production and sale of alcohol and tobacco goods.
According to the decree, Uzbek enterprises producing alcoholic beverages may purchase excise stamps after transferring 50 percent of the nominal value of the stamps, while tobacco producers pay the total nominal value of excise stamps.
Importers of these products purchase excise stamps after the excise tax is fully paid.
According to the regulations approved by the Ministry of Finance, the State Administration of Taxation and the State Customs Committee, the sale of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products already marked with old excise stamps is allowed until January 1, 2014. After that the products will be considered as unmarked and will be confiscated.
It was reported that the excise tax rate for ethyl alcohol produced in the country has increased by 15 percent since January 1, 2013.
The tax on brandy, vodka and other alcoholic beverages has increased by 20 percent.
Excise tax on natural wines has increased by 5 percent, on potent wines by 15 percent, and on beer by 15 percent.
Excise tax on filtered cigarettes has been set at 13,424 soum per 1,000 pieces (a 20 percent increase), and on non-filter cigarettes - at 6,479 soum per 1,000 pieces (a 25 percent increase).
Excise tax on imports of these products in 2013 will remain at the 2012 rate of 70 percent, but at least $1 per liter for beer, $6 for wine, $7 for vodka and $14.5 for brandy.
Excise tax on imported cigarettes increased by 40 percent - to $18.2 per 1,000 cigarettes compared to $13 a year earlier.
According to the Uzbek state budget indicators, it is planned to ensure 14.8 percent of its revenues at the expense of the excise tax in 2013.
The official exchange rate as of April 1 is 2039.60 soum per $1.