| Author (Corporate) | European Commission: Press and Communication Service |
|---|---|
| Series Title | Press Release |
| Series Details | IP/04/867 (7.7.04) |
| Publication Date | 07/07/2004 |
| Content Type | News, Overview |
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The European Commission decided on 7 July 2004 to send the United Kingdom a formal request to amend its policies relating to excise duties and cross-border shopping for tobacco and alcohol. The Commission's request concerns the policy of seizing goods and sometimes cars even for minor offences and follows on earlier letters of formal notice (see Related URLs for relevant press releases). The Commission considers that such seizures are disproportionate to the gravity of the offence in some situations and represent an obstacle to the free movement of goods subject to excise duties in the Internal Market. The request has been sent in the form of a reasoned opinion which is the second stage of the infringement procedure provided for in Article 226 of the Treaty. If there is no satisfactory response to the reasoned opinion within two months the Commission may refer the matter to the Court of Justice. |
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| Source Link | Link to Main Source http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/04/867&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en |
| Related Links |
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| Subject Categories | Internal Markets |
| Countries / Regions | United Kingdom |
