Minority proposal rejected: tax-free limit for shopping tourists remains at the old value

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The National Council does not want to include measures against shopping tourism in the customs law. On Wednesday he rejected a request to apply the value-free limit for imports only to a limited extent.

The Grand Chamber rejected a minority proposal from the economic committee with 123 votes in favor, 59 against and four abstentions. This minority demanded that the current exemption limit of 300 francs should only apply if someone does not receive VAT back after a purchase abroad.

That’s what the national council members say

Leo Müller (Centre/LU) said on behalf of the minority that more than 10 billion francs are spent annually on shopping tourism and that a large part of imports remains below the exemption limit. This is a disadvantage for companies in regions close to the border. The center party received support from parts of the SVP and Green factions on this issue.

Beat Walti (FDP/ZH) criticized that it was only a “signal expression of an opinion” by now writing something into the law. Elsewhere, a compromise to lower the exemption limit is well underway, with two professional initiatives and a committee motion on the subject pending.

“Nonsense situation”

The minority proposal would create a completely nonsensical situation, according to Walti. You would also have to declare pasta or gifts purchased in Milan, because there will no longer be an exemption limit.

The debate also raised doubts as to whether it was even possible to prove that a traveler had not reclaimed VAT. In this context, Müller and Markus Ritter (center/SG) emphasized that the most important thing was to look for a solution within the framework of the customs law consultations. The Council of States could also make suggestions at a later stage about its exact design. (SDA)

Source:Blick