FCS: the volume of imports of tobacco products with violations to Russia increased by 2.5 times over the year

In 2022, customs detained 65.5 million packs of cigarettes imported with violations. This is 2.5 times more than a year earlier (25.5 million), according to press release Federal Customs Service (FTS).

In total, customs officers seized 82.5 million packs of cigarettes from illegal circulation last year. The illegal circulation of about 17 million packs of tobacco products and more than 491 tons of tobacco raw materials worth 1.7 billion rubles was also suppressed. The total amount of funds in criminal cases for evading customs payments in 2022 amounted to 2.3 billion rubles. The FCS clarified that 2.1 billion rubles. 17 criminal cases accounted for this amount. Most often, cases were initiated on the facts of smuggling (Article 200.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).

Customs officers initiated 5.4 thousand administrative cases for the illegal movement of tobacco products for 391 million rubles. Most often, the reason was non-declaration or false declaration of goods (3.5 thousand cases), non-compliance with prohibitions and restrictions on import or export (1.6 thousand).

The Ministry of Finance proposed to introduce criminal liability for the production and sale of counterfeit cigarettes. According to the draft law prepared by the department, the lack of a license can lead to up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 1 million rubles. The ministry believes that state regulation will help defend the country’s economic interests, as well as reduce the possible harm to smokers.

Details – in the material “Kommersant FM” “Illegal tobacco will bring to the point”.

Laura Keffer