Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Feb. 11 / Trend, D. Azizov /
Uzbekistan will introduce new excise stamps with additional protection for alcohol and tobacco produced in and imported to the country from April 1, 2013.
According to the Cabinet of Ministers' order on "The Introduction of new excise stamps for alcohol and tobacco", "Alcohol and tobacco marked with old excise stamps and those in the wholesale and retail trade networks are considered unmarked after nine months from the date of introduction of new excise stamps and subject to withdrawal in the prescribed manner."
Excise stamps for alcohol and tobacco products are updated every two years to protect against forgery. Excise stamps for alcohol and tobacco products were last updated in Uzbekistan in 2011.
According to the order, Uzbek enterprises producing alcoholic beverages may purchase excise stamps after transferring 50 percent of the nominal value of the stamps for alcohol beverages and the total nominal value of excise stamps for tobacco. Importers of these products purchase excise stamps after the excise tax is fully paid.
It was reported that the ethyl alcohol excise tax rate has increased by 15 percent up to 3,031 soums per dal since Jan. 1, 2013 compared to 2012. Tax on brandy, vodka and other alcoholic beverages with an ethanol content of less than 40 percent increased by 20 percent up to 26,160 soums per dal. Tax on the same products with an ethanol content of more than 40 per cent increased by 20 percent, up to 43,105 soums.
Excise tax on natural wines increased by five percent to 5,230 soums, on fortified wines by 15 percent, to 5,728 soums, on beer by 15 percent to 2,975 soums per dal.
Excise tax on filtered cigarettes has been set at 13,424 soums per 1,000 pieces (a 20 percent increase), on non-filter cigarettes- 6,479 soms per 1,000 pieces (by 25 percent).
Excise duties on imports of these products in 2013 will remain at the 2012 rate and make 70 percent, but no less than a dollar 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 compared to $13 per 1,000 cigarettes a year earlier.
According to the official statistics, Uzbekistan increased production of ethyl crude alcohol by 10.7 percent up to 6.038 million dal in 2012 compared to 2011.
Vodka and liqueur beverage production increased by 7.3 percent to 12.534 million dal, cognac by 11.4 percent to 106,800 dal, wine by 10.5 percent to 2.342 million dal, champagne by 5.7 percent to 127,500 dal last year. Beer production dropped by 20.6 percent to 18.44 million dal in 2012.
According to the Uzbek approved state budget parameters, it is planned to ensure 14.8 percent of its revenues due to the excise tax in 2013.
The official exchange rate is 2.004.36 soums/1$.