The National Traders and Business Owners’ Federation (Fenacerd), the National Retail Traders’ Council for (CNCP), the Dominican Cigarette Industry Association (Asocigar), the Santiago Wholesalers Association (Amaprosan) and the Wholesale Traders’ Association (ACM) have announced the signing of an agreement to fight local sales of contraband cigarettes. The associations seek to create awareness among retailers about the negative consequences of selling illegally imported cigarettes from Haiti.
As reported, 25 million cigarettes have been seized and destroyed in joint operations with the Customs Agency (DGA), the Tax Agency (DGII) and the Specialized Border Security Corps (Cesfront) in 2014.
Asocigar legal representative Marcos Bisono said that the purchase of contraband cigarettes breaks the law and exposes consumers to health risks. Cigarette smugglers compete in the local market with their significantly cheaper cigarettes, which do not pay taxes or sanitary registration costs.
Cigarette smuggling is estimated to have reduced government revenue by RD$600 million reduction in 2013. The authorities estimate that 200 million units were smuggled in 2013.
Contraband cigarette brands seized in recent months include: Comme Il Faut, Capital, Gold City, Mega Blue, Gold Seal, Point and Jaisermer.
http://www.listin.com.do/economia-and-negocios/2014/9/22/338708/Contrabando-amenaza-industria-del-tabaco