The transition from the French TIRUERT scheme to the EU-wide ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation marks a pivotal shift in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) policy. The new framework, effective from 2025, sets progressively increasing SAF and synthetic fuel incorporation targets, imposes stringent reporting obligations, and enforces financial penalties for non-compliance, fostering greater sustainability and accountability across the European aviation sector.

The European Commission has proposed CBAM simplifications, including an import threshold, deferred costs, and streamlined emissions reporting. These changes aim to ease compliance, especially for SMEs, while maintaining environmental objectives.

From January 2027, the UK will introduce a CBAM, imposing a levy on carbon-intensive imports from countries with lower carbon pricing. Businesses should prepare for reporting requirements and potential supply chain impacts.

The UK joins the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in December 2023, granting preferential trade with key markets like Japan and Singapore. Canada and Mexico will follow once they complete ratification.

The Canary Islands operate under a unique regime outside EU VAT and harmonized excise duties, with local taxes like IGIC and AIEM supporting regional development. Tariff suspensions and reduced excise rates help balance local needs with EU market integration.

Since 2017, Portugal has taxed non-alcoholic drinks with added sugars or sweeteners, with rates varying by sugar content. Exemptions apply to specific products, and companies importing into Portugal must comply with local excise rules. 

Italy’s Soggetto Obbligato Accreditato (SOAC) status, effective 2024, reduces administrative burdens and waives financial guarantees for reliable operators in sectors like energy, alcohol, and tobacco. This measure aims to enhance trade efficiency while maintaining regulatory oversight. 

The Excise Goods (Holding, Movement and Duty Point) Regulations 2010 set out the general arrangements for the holding and movement of excise goods for the UK. 

The UK government is pushing forward with its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), set to launch on 1 January 2027. This will levy a tax on carbon-intensive imports from countries with lower or no carbon pricing—aiming to create a level playing field for UK businesses under the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).  Exempts smaller importers (<£50K/year)!

An amendment to the Czech Excise Tax Act aims to reduce administrative burdens and make tax compliance easier. The main focus is on digitalization of processes and increase of legal certainty for businesses.

The recent ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and subsequent decisions of the Spanish Supreme Court have significant implications for the regional tax on hydrocarbons in Spain, particularly regarding its alignment with European Union law. Here's a summary of the key points and considerations from the decisions.

To combat climate change and the biodiversity loss, the European Union (EU) Regulation2023/1115 prohibits placing on the EU market, making available on the EU and the export from the EU a list of products associated with deforestation and forest degradation. Traceability and transparency are at the heart of the proposed scheme, to make sustainable supply chains the new standard..

In 2024, Italy introduced a relief program aimed at supporting energy-intensive companies in their efforts to improve energy efficiency and invest in carbon-free projects. As companies look toward 2025, they must demonstrate their commitment to achieving energy efficiency goals to continue receiving benefits.

Under the Windsor Framework Agreement revision to the Brexit Agreement with the EU, which took effect on 1 October 2023, certain simplifications were due to be implemented on 1 October 2024.

The proper use of regulations relating to excise duties includes not only a knowledge of the EU and national rules linked to them, but also of the Combined Nomenclature, to which Directive 92/83 on the harmonization of the structures of excise duties on alcohol and alcoholic beverages refers, since said legal text does not itself define the different products included in it.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), has accused EU-importing businesses of intentionally and criminally misreporting key documentation to evade new Brexit border charges.

A recent notice sent to traders this week highlights repeated errors on import forms for goods arriving from the EU.

The CPTPP is a trade agreement to which Australia, New Zealand, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Viet Nam are currently members.

The UK signed its accession agreement to the CPTPP on 16 July 2023.

While the entry into force of the Italian Plastic Tax postponed to July 2026 – possibly the very last deferment – Italian fiscality is exploring alternatives for supporting the reduction of single-use plastic consumption.

As of January 1, 2024 there are significant updates to the Czech Excise Tax Act concerning Tobacco Products. This includes new taxes on additional tobacco-related products, updates to tobacco labelling regulations, and a plan for gradual tax rate increases through 2027.

On April 10, 2024, the Austrian tax authorities published general working guidelines on excise duties (VS-1000), which replaces the previous guidelines which are partly already more than 20 years old.

The guidelines deal with issues relating to mineral oil tax, tobacco tax, alcohol tax and beer tax and systematically set out the formal obligations and procedures for the production and trade of excise goods.