ZAGREB, Sept 11 (Hina) - Limitation of the imported quantities of duty-free products is a blow to black marketeers rather than impoverished citizens, stated the Croatian Finance Ministry on Monday. The Ministry released a statement
expounding in detail the restriction of quantities of imported duty-free products, which is effective as of today. On Monday Croatian unions blasted this measure, describing it as a blow to the standard of impoverished citizens. On the other hand, Croatia's customs authorities say their intention is to cut rampant black marketeering, by a combination of import restrictions and a clear decree that the benefit to import tax-free goods can be used only once a day, read the statement. The limit of one kilo and one litre refers to goods which are usually illegally re-sold: oil, sugar, washing liquids and detergent, sweets, milk and dairy products, fruits and vegetables, meat an
ZAGREB, Sept 11 (Hina) - Limitation of the imported quantities of
duty-free products is a blow to black marketeers rather than
impoverished citizens, stated the Croatian Finance Ministry on
Monday.
The Ministry released a statement expounding in detail the
restriction of quantities of imported duty-free products, which is
effective as of today.
On Monday Croatian unions blasted this measure, describing it as a
blow to the standard of impoverished citizens.
On the other hand, Croatia's customs authorities say their
intention is to cut rampant black marketeering, by a combination of
import restrictions and a clear decree that the benefit to import
tax-free goods can be used only once a day, read the statement.
The limit of one kilo and one litre refers to goods which are usually
illegally re-sold: oil, sugar, washing liquids and detergent,
sweets, milk and dairy products, fruits and vegetables, meat and
meat products and soft drinks.
The restriction applies also to foreigners.
The value of tax- and duty-free goods imported for personal use
remains 300 kuna and this tariff benefit can be used once a day. If a
person imports more than one kilo or one litre of the aforementioned
products, they will have to pay customs tariff and taxes on the
quantity exceeding the limit, even if the entire value of the goods
does not surpass 300 kuna, the statement added.
The daily tariff benefit cannot be used by citizens living in border
areas if they import groceries from the border area of the other
country (the area within five kilometres from the border-line).
Smuggled goods only appear to be cheaper. Consumers pay the
difference in other fields - through higher taxes, the statement
read.
Goods on the black market do not harm only the state and thus the
standard of each citizen, but they present unfair competition for
domestic traders, retailers in particular. Such goods also affect
indirectly Croatia's agriculture and industry, the Finance
Ministry stated.
(hina) jn ms