Armenia to decriminalize smuggling
12.05.2016,
17:28
At an extraordinary meeting on Thursday the Armenian parliament has approved in the first reading a set of amendments to the law "On Taxes" and a package of accompanying laws, calling for decriminalization of smuggling.
YEREVAN, May 12. /ARKA/. At an extraordinary meeting on Thursday the Armenian parliament has approved in the first reading a set of amendments to the law "On Taxes" and a package of accompanying laws, calling for decriminalization of smuggling.
Deputy chairman of the State Revenue Committee Vakhtang Mirumyan said the proposed changes stem from Armenia’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union and its commitments to harmonize its legislation, including criminal and administrative liabilities.
In Mirumyan’s words, a major change in the draft law is the decriminalization of smuggling, which means that after the adoption of the legislative package, economic agents will not be held criminally responsible for imports of goods made in violation of customs rules.
He noted that economic agents will not be subject to criminal liability for smuggling. In return they will be asked to calculate unreported taxes, fees, fines, and compensate the caused damage. If they do so the question will be settled, and if not – an article of the Criminal Code on willful tax evasion will be applied.
At the same time, he noted that decriminalization will not affect the smuggling of prohibited goods such as drugs, weapons, arms and cash.
He said illegal use of property worth up to 500,000 drams which is under arrest will also be decriminalized. He added that the draft law replaces it by a penalty in the amount of 100 minimum wages. -0-
Deputy chairman of the State Revenue Committee Vakhtang Mirumyan said the proposed changes stem from Armenia’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union and its commitments to harmonize its legislation, including criminal and administrative liabilities.
In Mirumyan’s words, a major change in the draft law is the decriminalization of smuggling, which means that after the adoption of the legislative package, economic agents will not be held criminally responsible for imports of goods made in violation of customs rules.
He noted that economic agents will not be subject to criminal liability for smuggling. In return they will be asked to calculate unreported taxes, fees, fines, and compensate the caused damage. If they do so the question will be settled, and if not – an article of the Criminal Code on willful tax evasion will be applied.
At the same time, he noted that decriminalization will not affect the smuggling of prohibited goods such as drugs, weapons, arms and cash.
He said illegal use of property worth up to 500,000 drams which is under arrest will also be decriminalized. He added that the draft law replaces it by a penalty in the amount of 100 minimum wages. -0-
