STS effectively strengthens the counteraction against the illicit turnover of alcohol

Within the framework of counteraction against the shadow alcohol market, the STS has strengthened control over the production and turnover of corresponding products. Effectiveness of taken measures is evidenced by the significant increase in sales of domestic alcohol during the fourth quarter of 2019. If in October last year this indicator was only 70.5% compared to the corresponding period of 2018, in November - already 98.5%, in December - 117.9%. This indicates that there is a positive tendency in the un-shadowing of alcohol market.

This is also evidenced by the increase of alcohol excise tax revenues. For the fourth quarter of 2019, the specified revenues have amounted nearly 45.1 million UAH – this is 575.3 thousand UAH (1.3%) more than in the corresponding period last year. Determined by the Ministry of Finance indicator has been fulfilled by 116.5%, subsequently budget additionally received 6.4 million UAH.

In January 2020, the budget received 12.9 million UAH of the alcohol excise tax – this is 788 thousand UAH or 6.5% more than in January 2019. Indicator has been fulfilled by 103.8% (+474.6 thousand UAH).

“Tax service has specific results in the counteraction against the shadow alcohol market, obtained through analytical work and participant monitoring. And this is only the beginning. More is ongoing because this topic is very relevant. This relates to all of us, because those who carry out the sale of counterfeit not only steal from the budget, but also neglect our health” – emphasized Chairman of the Tax service and encouraged to inform the law enforcement authorities about detected violations.

State tax service continues to improve the electronic service “Excise Tax Stamp Search” which has been launched with assistance of the Ministry of Finance. At present, if a citizen finds alcohol beverages or tobacco products marked with the excise tax stamps in the turnover but cannot find available information in the service – such citizen can inform the Tax service in writing form and by the telephones indicated on the official web portal of the STS. On-site audit may be assigned following the results of consideration of such citizen’s appeal.

In order to make easy feedback from citizens and respond promptly regarding possible violations, the State tax service is also working to give consumers the opportunity to report about absence of the excise tax stamp in the Register directly on the official web portal of the STS. This service will be available soon.

“Now with the help of our new service, every Ukrainian citizen will be able to instantly check the legality of the origin of alcohol beverages and tobacco products and therefore to execute public control over the turnover of excisable goods” – stated Chairman of the STS Serhii Verlanov.

It should be reminded that work of the service is available by the link: https://cabinet.tax.gov.ua/registers/mark.

“The next step is the introduction of electronic excise tax stamp which will take control over the turnover of excisable goods to the new level and significantly improve the tax payment rates.” – noted Serhii Verlanov, emphasizing that the un-shadowing of the excisable goods market is one of the main challenges for the Tax service.