Low level imports for tobacco trade

TIRANA, March.7 – Data from the customs office shows that the amount of imported cigarettes in Albania for the first two months of 2007 is lower than the respective period last year. 385.3 tons of cigarettes have passed through the customs during January and February of this year. The customs office recorded very high levels of cigarette imports in 2006 totaling 4,118 tons, an increase of 198 compared to 2005. Reasons for the decrease in the trade include the new legal framework approved in the additional budget scheme that raises the lump sum tax on the cigarette pack. From September 2006 this tax was increased by 15 lek per pack, changing the sum form 25 to 40 leks. The tax will be increased in July of this year by a further 10 lek per pack which is expected to be immediately translated into a price rise.