OREANDA-NEWS. Belarus introduces new excise rates for strong alcohol on January 1, 2014.

In light of the new series of amendments to the Tax Code, starting January 1, 2014 the excise rates on strong alcoholic drinks (with alcohol content of 7% and over, except pure alcohol, fortified wines of improved quality, natural grape wines, fruit wine, sparkling wine, beer and beer cocktails) shall grow 14.5% to reach Br119,700 (USD 12.7) per litre of pure alcohol.

Alcohol excise rates are set for the whole year, with different values effective for the first and the second half of the year.

Starting July 1, 2014, the excise tax on strong alcohol will grow by another 11.1% to Br133,000 (USD 14.13). The same rates of the excise tax shall apply to other low-alcohol beverages and wines with alcohol content varying from 1.2% to 7%.

On January 1, 2014 the excise tax on natural low-alcohol beverages shall grow by 14.5% to Br72,600 (USD 7.71) and by another 4.8% on July 1, 2014 to Br75,100 (USD 7.98) per litre of pure alcohol in finished products; fruit alcohol beverages (except fruit and berry beverages) - up 15.4% to Br3,000 (USD 0.32) per litre of finished products on Jan 1, 2014, up 6.7% on July 1, 2014 to Br3,200 (USD 0.34).

For fortified wines of improved quality the excise rates will grow 36.05% to Br68,300 (USD 7.26) as of January 1, 2014 per litre of pure alcohol; up 50.4% to Br87,900 (USD 9.34) per litre of pure alcohol as of July 1, 2014.

Excise rates on beer with alcohol content between 0.5% and 7% will grow by 13.8% at Br3,300 (USD 0.35) per litre on January 1, 2014 per litre; and by another 6% Br3,500 (USD 0.37) on July 1, 2014.