Proposal would hike Kansas’ cigarette tax to 11th highest
If Gov. Sam Brownback’s proposal goes through, Kansas’ taxes on a pack of cigarettes would jump to the 11th highest in the nation. Kansas currently charges 79 cents in tax per pack of cigarettes. Brownback proposed raising that to $2.29 as part of his plan to deal with large projected deficits. State revenues are expected to fall $280 million short of expenditures in this fiscal year, and $436 million short in the next fiscal year.
http://cjonline.com/news/business/2015-01-20/proposal-would-hike-kansas-cigarette-tax-11th-highest
Lear MoreThe notorious industry: comparing foreign vs. local tobacco brands on the Arab street
One of the most prolific industries currently operating in the Middle East and North Africa is big tobacco. This market seems immune to the roller coaster that is business life in the region, hardly affected by the socio-political risks that tend to keep investors at bay. While major tobacco product importers, such as British American Tobacco, Imperial Tobacco and Philip Morris International, dominate the market, there in fact exist several competing local players vying for their share of the pie. Here is a look at some of the national Middle Eastern manufacturers, their role in the local markets they operate in and their outlook in the near term.
In 2014, Lithuanian Customs pulled contraband cigarettes from funeral wreaths, potato sacks
According to preliminary data, in 2014 the officers of the Lithuanian Customs seized smuggled and illegally carried goods worth over EUR 15 million. The amount of prevented damage to the state exceeds EUR 10 million euros, the Lithuanian Customs said in a report, cites LETA/ELTA.
Tobacco products remained last year the most popular smuggled commodity. Last year, the customs officers seized 16 million packages of cigarettes and 3 tons of tobacco worth EUR 13 million. The amount of tobacco seized in 2013 was similar: 117 million pcs. of cigarettes and 1.6 tons of tobacco.
http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=101253
Lear MoreDon’t be fooled by fake Apple Watch prototypes on eBay
When it come to the release of Apple products, there are always plenty of fakes and knock-offs appearing, and the Apple Watch is no exception. Plenty of fakes are out there, and don’t be taken in by claims of their legitimacy.
The reason I’m saying this is because what was claimed to be an Apple Watch prototype appeared on eBay and ended up selling for $260 (£172). The seller claimed that the watch was obtained from a cousin who works at Apple, which is obviously a blatant lie because the Watch looks far from legit.
Counterfeit cosmetics seized in Hong Kong
Eye make upcloseCustom officers in Hong Kong have made a seizure of fake cosmetic goods that are thought to be worth around $5,000.
The Hong Kong Customs’ Intellectual Property Investigation Bureau said it raided two retail shops of a syndicate and seized about 100 items of suspected counterfeit cosmetic products; two female salespersons, aged 17 and 23, were arrested.
EUBAM: smuggling of cigarettes to Transnistria drops to zero
The joint efforts of border guard and customs agencies of Moldova and Ukraine as well as the EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) has led to an impressive decrease in the suspected movement of tobacco products along the Moldovan-Ukrainian border.
During last two months of 2014, the transit of cigarettes from Odessa and Illichevsk ports to Transnistria dropped to zero. This was made possible through the timely response of the Mission, with the support of agencies in Moldova and Ukraine.
Counterfeit and pirated product market reaches $11 billion
The counterfeit and pirate product market is currently worth around $10.8 billion in Turkey, according to the report of Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy (BASCAP), and similar losses are being repeated each year. According to the Turkish daily Dünya, $4.4 billion out of the $10.8 billion are items that have been produced abroad.
Across China: Chinese “makers” turn fake products market into innovation base
SHENZHEN, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) — Once a gray market notorious for selling copycat electronics, the Huaqiangbei mall in Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, has become a paradise for innovators.
Technology enthusiasts from around the world have been flocking to Huaqiangbei shopping center, where all kinds of electronic components are sold. These “makers,” as they’re known within a growing movement of do-it-yourself inventors, craftsmen, and tinkerers, turn their ideas into new devices, often with the help of 3D printers, robotics, and other advanced tools. For some, it is a full-time job, while others pursue their projects as a hobby.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2015-01/19/c_133930659.htm
Lear MoreCounterfeit MAC makeup could be toxic
Canada’s most famous makeup brand is facing a big counterfeiting problem. Counterfeiters are trying to cash in on MAC cosmetics popularity and that’s putting consumers’ health at risk.
MargauxWosk is a fan of MAC cosmetics, but she was suspicious when the online site Buytopia sent her a prize package recently containing several MAC eye shadows.
“It didn’t seem like a retailer’s website would have the ability to sell brands that are generally sold through their main flagships,” said Wosk.
http://bc.ctvnews.ca/counterfeit-mac-makeup-could-be-toxic-1.2192491#ixzz3PLMLAcP4
Lear More210,000 tonnes of smuggled rice seized in China
Over 210,000 tonnes of smuggled rice worth 1.26 billion yuan ($205 million) was seized in China last year, a customs official has revealed.
The anti-smuggling bureau of General Administration of Customs (GAC) cracked 467 cases linked to rice in 2014 in a special drive against the smuggling of agricultural products, GAC’s deputy head Zhu Feng said Saturday .The campaign, dubbed “Green Wind”, mainly targetted grains, frozen meat products, sugar, cotton and cooking oil.
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