CRE Brazil reports:
| May 27 |
| New Rules for Exporting Cigarettes |
| The Federal Revenue Office established a series of norms to avoid cigarettes exported by Brazilian industries returning to the Country as contraband. Now, products destined to be sent abroad will have a special bar code on their packages which will store all the producer’s data. Companies that make the appropriate changes will be exempt from export taxes which are equivalent to 150% of the market value.Packages of cigarettes sold in Brazil will have to include the following inscription: “For export only – The selling of this product in Brazil is prohibited.” If an inspection catches these products circulating in the national market, they will be considered illegal merchandise resulting in serious fines. |
| May 27 |
| Fine for Those Selling Contraband Cigarettes |
| On Thursday, the 26th, the local government of the city of Campo Grande in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul approved a law that punishes businesses selling illegal cigarettes or cigarettes with substitute ingredients or ingredients in addition to tobacco. Since it is on the border with Paraguay, where most of the contraband cigarettes are traded in Brazil, Mato Grosso do Sul is one of the states where some of the largest numbers of seizures of illegal products occurs.In accordance with the approved law, businesses that are caught will have to pay a fine of R$5,000 (US$3,108), and the amount doubles in case of recurrence. If the problem continues, the license for permitting the business to function will be revoked.
CRE and CRE Brazil are working jointly to develop anti-counterfeit programs. |