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By: Richard Del Cazzo
Web site: http://www.hdtv-hdtv.com
The price of computer LCD monitors is likely to rise sharply
after the imposition of a 14 per cent import duty on the devices
by one EU member state. Dutch Customs is already levying the
duty on some importers even though the European Commission
has yet to make a final decision about applying the rule.
As most LCD monitors are imported into Europe through Rotterdam
following manufacture in the Far East, importers are warning
they will have to pass on the charges to the consumer.
At the moment computer LCD monitors are zero-rated for import
duty. But advances in technology have led to the European
Union Committee on Excise Duties wanting to reclassify monitors
as 'all-purpose' devices and impose the higher rate, which
currently only applies to TVs and plasma monitors.
The decision must first be ratified by the European Commission,
and most member states' customs agencies are waiting to see
if the industry is successful in lobbying against the duty.
LCD manufacturer Viewsonic claims that Dutch Customs has
also left the door open to levy duty retroactively on importers
who so far have not been asked to pay.
Russell Cole, Viewsonic's European LCD product marketing
manager, said Dutch Customs already backdates the duty for
some products imported just before Christmas 2003.
"If they don't close the paperwork it means importers
will be hit with the duty even though they have sold the LCD
monitors at the existing price," he said.
Industry trade body the European Information, Communications
and Consumer Electronics Technology Industry Associations
is continuing to lobby against the proposal and will hold
meetings with the EU Committee between Monday 19 and Wednesday
21 April.
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