APTRA Urges Retailers to Limit Tobacco Sales to India-bound Travellers

Source from:  dfnionline.com 09/09/2014

The Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) is calling on retailers around the world to take heed of the new regulations concerning inbound allowances for tobacco goods when they sell to passengers who are travelling to India.

Although the rules vary from one airport to another, customs authorities at several Indian airports, including Cochin and Hyderabad, are already implementing the strict new inbound duty free tobacco allowances which were announced in July by the Central Board of Excise & Customs in Mumbai.

Either they are confiscating purchases which exceed the new limit of 100 sticks, 25 cigars or 125 grams of tobacco per adult or they are demanding payment of the duty on any purchase which exceeds that amount.

APTRA president Jaya Singh said: "In response to the new regulations some tobacco suppliers are considering the production of 100-stick cartons to replace the usual 200-stick cartons but, as the regulations were changed almost overnight, we are still some way off being able to offer such packs. In the meantime passengers are still buying standard 200 packs in shops all over the world and are understandably dismayed when they arrive in India and have their purchases confiscated.

"APTRA and its partners in the duty free and travel retail industry appeal to retailers to act responsibly and advise customers of the new limits on tobacco bound for India. This confusion is damaging the image of our entire industry and acting as a severe disincentive to passengers to shop in our stores." Enditem