Excise Duties
Excise duties are taxes that have to be paid directly by the producer of specific products. They are usually measured by quantity. In principle, production and wholesale of goods that are subjected to excise duties are processed through tax warehouses. In these warehouses they may be produced and stored untaxed. Excise duties become due whenever goods leave the warehouse. Usually the local German customs office is responsible for the collection.
Germany raises the following excise duties:
- The energy tax mainly affects natural resources of energy like mineral oil, coal and natural gas. The tax rate varies from 61,35 ¤/m3 for red diesel to 654,50 ¤/m3 for gasoline. Please note that red diesel may not be used to operate combustion engines.
- The tax on spirits is levied on alcoholic products which are not subjected to specific excise duties and that have a percentage above 1.2 percent. The tax rate amounts up to 1.303 ¤/hl.
- Traditionally there are several excise duties on specific alcoholic beverages as the beer tax (8,66 ¤/hl to 12,59 ¤/hl) , the tax on sparkling wine (51 ¤/hl to 153 ¤/hl), and the tax on alcopops, which is added to the tax on spirits.
- The tobacco tax is levied by revenue stamps.
- The coffee tax (2.19 ¤/kg to 4.78 ¤/kg)
Within the European Union, excise duties are only harmonized in regard of their minimum tax rate. Therefore excise duties are still determined by the destination principle. The relevant goods are taxed in the country where they are used. However, they may be shipped tax free to tax warehouse within the European Single market. As of January 2011 the necessary documentation are required to be proceeded through the electronic Excise Movement and Control System (EMCS).
Nevertheless, due to the destination principle, excise duties are also levied on taxable goods from other EU Member States that were already taxed before entering Germany. Entrepreneurs concerned may apply for tax refund in the country of origin. Taxable goods that are imported from outside the European Union are taxed during the customs clearance.
The German Customs Administration provides a comprehensive description of German excise duties and the relevant taxation procedures on its website as well as individual support. You may also verify an excise duty number with the EU's SEED-Database.
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