Illicit alcohol – Revenue seizure values down in 2021
The total value of seizures of illicit alcohol at Ireland’s main ports was down by 36% on the €4.2 million figure for 2020.
According to its Annual Report for 2021 the Revenue Commissioners saw an increase in the number of seizures of illicit alcohol at Ireland’s main ports.
“This is as a result of cooperation and intelligence sharing between Ireland and other EU Member States in relation to the movement of product between bonded warehouses within the EU,” states the report. Additionally, Ireland participated in multinational operations involving other Member States, targeting fraudulent movements of alcohol products.
However the total value of these seizures was down by 36% on the €4.2 million figure for 2020. Similarly the amounts seized, at 429,478 litres, were well down on those of 2020 and represent a 44% drop on the 764,174 litre figure for that year.
Some €1.18 billion was taken in excise tax on alcohol products last year, down 28% on 2020’s net alcohol receipts of €1.2 billion for alcohol. This itself was down 29% on the alcohol tax take for 2019.
