Customs administration fails to meet target

TIRANA, Sept. 24 – The amount of revenues collected by the Albanian customs administration in August 2014 was amongst the highest in years, as well as the highest for 2014, according to the recent monthly report. However, Finance Ministry data show income from excise taxes was down by 15 percent compared to the target set for the first eight months of this year.
Customs authorities were able to collect Euro 105.8 million, or Euro 16.8 million more than August 2013, says Crown Agents which has been hired by the Albanian government to increase customs revenue by fighting corruption and smuggling.
August also recorded a notable increase in terms of clearance of main excise goods, especially fuels (up 25.9 percent), cigarettes (up 13.9 percent), and beer (up 17.4 percent). The Albanian customs administration and Crown Agents expect a growing trend in the collection of revenues in the coming months and the fight against smuggling, fiscal evasion and corruption to intensify.