India: India to reduce beer duties

India would reduce customs duties on liquor as required under global trade rules after complaints to the World Trade Organisation by the US and EU, AFP reported June 1.

"We are planning to scrap [additional customs duty] by July," a senior official of India's commerce ministry was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India. The duty would be replaced by taxes equivalent to those paid by the domestic industry, the official said.

India is accused of imposing additional duty of up to 75 percent on beer and wine, and up to 150 percent on distilled spirits, plus "extra additional duty" that brings total duties up to 550 percent.

01 June, 2007