Crackdown on Illicit Tobacco Trade: Hungary's Latest Anti-Smuggling Measures

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai

Mar.04.2024

Crackdown on Illicit Tobacco Trade: Hungary's Latest Anti-Smuggling Measures

Hungary's tax authority NAV announces crackdown on black market tobacco trade, forming task force to combat illegal activity.

According to Hungarian media outlet Kaposvarmost on March 2, the Hungarian National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV) released a statement saying they will crack down on the black market tobacco trade.

The Anti-Illegal Tobacco Trade Task Force was established by NAV in the summer of 2023. As its latest initiative, on March 2nd, the task force invited market participants, national tobacco suppliers, and representatives from regulatory agencies to attend a consultation meeting.

During the negotiation meeting, all parties agreed to launch a "total offensive" against the black market trade, and to develop future action guidelines in the fields of communication, crime, law enforcement, and tax. The meeting also discussed the possibility of initiating legislative changes to provide a clearer legal environment for maximizing protections of fiscal revenue. At the same time, the head of the Hungarian National Prosecutor's Office reported on recent investigative progress, including the dismantling of illegal tobacco factories and successful experiences in investigating major criminal cases, emphasizing that this work is far from over.

In addition to cracking down on the illegal market of traditional tobacco products, they should also address the control of new tobacco products. The statement mentions that blocking the illegal procurement route of flavored e-cigarettes like Elf Bar and Poco Bar as popular consumer products is a unified mission.

References:

[1] Az illegális dohánykereskedelem visszaszorítására törekszik a NAV

Also Read:

[1] Hungary's Regulator to Enforce Strict Measures on Tobacco Sales to Minors

[2] China's E-cigarette Exports to Hungary Surging With Impressive Figures

[3] Plunging Consumption and Increasing Illicit Trade of Tobacco in Hungary

#Europe #Law enforcement #Traditional tobacco #Hungary

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