Customs Union to make allowance for purchasing power gaps while increasing excise duties

"The Customs Union will keep raising excise duties on alcohol and tobacco. In conditions of the common market of Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan, the unification of excise duties is essential for preventing considerable gaps in these duties and, consequently, the gaps in prices for alcohol and tobacco. If we do not do it, we will create preconditions for illegal trade, which will eventually lead to budget losses of any of the three states," Andrei Kharkovets said, BelTA reports.


"We will take into consideration the differences in the production of these products, the national policies and differences in the purchasing power in the Customs Union member states. All this will be taken into account while developing specific national excise duties," the minister said.

It should be kept in mind that the increase in excise duties on alcohol and tobacco products is among the most important tools to protect people's health, Andrei Kharkovets said.