EU court blocks internet alcohol tax loophole

The EU's highest court has said that citizens buying alcohol and tobacco over the internet cannot avail of cheaper excise duties in other member states and have to pay the taxes of their home country. Some national governments are relieved by the verdict which averts multi-billion tax income losses.

A common practise today sees millions of EU citizens crossing the border to a neighbouring country – like Poles to Slovakia, French people to Spain or Danes to Germany – to purchase alcohol ...