Editor’s Note: The complete consultation document may be found here. Comments are due by 30 January 2015.
From: HM Revenue & Customs
Control of Raw Tobacco
Subject of this consultation:
This consultation concerns the formal consultation on new arrangements for the control of raw tobacco.
Scope of this consultation:
The Government has decided to introduce controls on the holding and movement of raw tobacco in order to reduce the risk of evasion of excise duty.
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However, we are not complacent and recognise that the risk from the organised criminal gangs behind the illicit trade in tobacco remains high and constantly evolves. The availability of raw tobacco in the UK presents a significant growing risk fuelling illegal cigarette and hand-rolling tobacco manufacture. This is why at Budget 2014 we announced that we would consult on a range of measures to strengthen the UK’s response to tobacco smuggling, including increasing controls on raw tobacco.
