One rate for ‘sin’ taxes to help curb smuggling – EU

Published by rudy Date posted on September 15, 2009

MANILA, Philippines – The implementation of a single-tax rate for the so-called sin taxes would help minimize smuggling of imported distilled spirits, the European Commission (EU) and the European Chamber of Commerce said during a recent hearing at the House of Representatives.

European Commission representative Therese Yosuico and European Chamber of Commerce spokesman Leslie Stokes said the country could recover 50 percent of its revenue losses from smuggling if Congress approves the unitary rate tax system for alcohol and cigarettes or the sin taxes.

“A one-rate excise tax system for all distilled spirit products will also have a positive effect on smuggling,” Stokes told the House ways and means committee during a hearing on the proposed changes on the sin tax law.

Stokes said that about 50 percent of all imported distilled spirits are smuggled under the multi-tier sin tax rates.

European companies export liquor products to the Philippines.

“The ECC is firmly of the opinion that the present excise tax system in the Philippines discriminates against the imported alcohol products,” Stokes said.

Estimates put the annual losses due to smuggling at $40 billion.

Aside from its positive effect on smuggling, Yosuico said congressional approval of the amendments to the Sin Tax Law as contained in House Bill (HB) 6079 would enable the country to adress concerns filed by the EU before the World Trade Organization (WTO). –Iris C. Gonzales (The Philippine Star)

July 2025

Nutrition Month
“Give us much more than P50 increase
for proper nutrition!”

Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations
against serious violations of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.

Accept National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar.  Reject Military!

#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideosturesVideos

Time to support & empower survivors. Time to spark a global conversation. Time for #GenerationEquality to #orangetheworld!

July


3 July – International Day of Cooperatives
3 Ju
ly – International Plastic Bag Free Day
 
5 July –
World Youth Skills Day 
7 July – Global Forgiveness Day
11 July – World Population Day 
17 July – World Day for
International Justice
28 July – World Nature Conservation Day
30 July – World Day against Trafficking in Persons 


Monthly Observances:

Schools Safety Month

Nutrition Month
National Disaster Consciousness Month

Weekly Observances:

Week 2: Cultural Communities Week
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise
Development Week
Week 3: National Science and
Technology Week
National Disability Prevention and
Rehabilitation Week
July 1-7:
National Culture Consciousness Week
July 13-19:
Philippines Business Week
Week ending last Saturday of July:
Arbor Week

 

Daily Observances:

First Saturday of July:
International Cooperative Day
in the Philippines

Categories

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.