'Sin taxes' set to go up

Importers are not yet sure if the higher import duties to affect consumers PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE
Importers are not yet sure if the higher import duties to affect consumers PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE

Government will soon increase the import duty paid on various alcoholic beverages and tobacco products, in what has been described as an “annual revision” of customs and excise on the products.

Whether the higher duties will result in consumers paying more for their favourite drink or cigarette depends on the level of comfort of the import and distribution giants controlling the bulk of local imported liquor and tobacco trade.

According to the schedule of proposed increases published recently, import duty will rise on alcoholic items of various strengths ranging from fortified and unfortified wine, vermouths, ciders, brandies, gins, liquors, whiskies and rum. Import duty also rises on tobacco products, including cigarettes and cigars, pipe tobacco and other substitutes.

Editor's Comment
Let’s fight GBV as a collective

Botswana for the longest time was known for her virulent peace with family being an enviable institution.As the media, we are also scared to be incessantly reporting on these bloody scenes where women are brutally murdered and worse, sometimes in front of their children and loved ones. Yes, we have reported cases where men were also brutally murdered by their loved ones, but such cases are a drop in the ocean.For the past two weeks, Botswana was...

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