The European Commission has authorised a reduction in excise duty on diesel fuel used by German stevedores. The rate of excise duty will fall from 47.040 to 6.135 euro cents per litre for port cargo handling activities.
An EC statement says: “The Commission and the Community courts have always considered reductions in excise duty which apply to only one business sector to be State aid. According to the German authorities, the cost of this measure to the budget will be euros25 million a year.”
New EU environmental aid guidelines allow the Commission to authorise aid in the form of lower excise duties on energy products, subject to compliance with the minimum rates of taxation provided for in Community legislation. The EC says: “The measure notified by Germany complies with the minimum rates of taxation laid down in Directive 2003/96/EC on energy taxation. The Commission has concluded, on the basis of the new guidelines, that the aid is compatible with the common market.”
An EC statement says: “The Commission and the Community courts have always considered reductions in excise duty which apply to only one business sector to be State aid. According to the German authorities, the cost of this measure to the budget will be euros25 million a year.”
New EU environmental aid guidelines allow the Commission to authorise aid in the form of lower excise duties on energy products, subject to compliance with the minimum rates of taxation provided for in Community legislation. The EC says: “The measure notified by Germany complies with the minimum rates of taxation laid down in Directive 2003/96/EC on energy taxation. The Commission has concluded, on the basis of the new guidelines, that the aid is compatible with the common market.”