(Finance) – All the transactions relating to excise in the EU they go fully electronic from Monday. As the European Commission recalls in a note, following an update of the general directive on excise duties, member states will start applying new rules on excise duties starting from 13 February. These standards will make the taxation of alcohol, tobacco and energy products completely paperless across the EU. The transition to immediate exchange e digitized Of information on the circulation of these products in the Union will help authorities fight excise fraud, a problem that costs Member States millions in budget contributions every year.
At the same time, the new standardized electronic system it will make life easier for traders, especially energy suppliers and small alcohol producers, and help speed up trade in relevant sectors. Previously, digital excise procedures were only accessible to operators who operated under the so-called “suspension of excise duty”. Until now, the goods they had to be accompanied by physical paper statements when the excise duties were immediately accounted for at the destination.
Under the new measures that will come into force on Monday, all traders moving excise goods from one EU member state to another will only have to present information on transactions digital in the computerized system of movements and controls of excise goods (EMCS). The system will collect and process information about online movements, validate i entered data and will allow the notification real-time dispatch and receipt of excise goods. It will also enable the instant exchange of secure online messages containing specific information on shipments and movements between Member States, freeing businesses from administrative costs, time and resources and providing authorities with the information they need to fight fraud more effectively.
The updated General Excise Directive (the “horizontal directive on excise duties“) sets out the general arrangements applicable to excise goods, including those relating to the production, storage and movement of excise goods within the EU territory. In combination with a number of other measures relating to excise duties, the Directive will support a market unique tighter by digitizing returns, reducing the administrative burden for excise traders and further preventing tax evasion.