AW: Custom declaration

[Horst Luening]

> It was great fun to walk home from the post office with this big
> box knowing the impossible had just happened.

Hello John!

Alc. beverages are no fun in transportation at all. As long as it 'only'
relates to money, then people most often find ways to solve things. If there
is enough money to be earned by importing a special bottle of malt into the
US - then it will happen. If it is not - bad luck.

The main question is: Are the alcohol taxes and according laws in place for
earning money or for protecting people? George Washington as well as the
British Crown raised taxes to finance the costs of wars - not to protect
people. This thought was raised later (perhaps in Ireland).

For the US I have my doubts, if the 'no shipment law' is there to protect
people. It is there to protect tax revenues. And here we see a similarity to
the EC.

40 of the US states have negotiated a treaty for the free shipment of wine
between each others. If the volumes differ between import and export then a
difference has to be paid. And the shipment of spirits? I think here is the
thought of protection still visible.

It has to be clear to all of us, that the main financing of our states are
based on taxes on gas(fuel), tobacco, alcohol and income (and VAT). Whenever
you start to gamble with one of these, the state will take this as an
offence against his presence and will punish you.

As far as I understand LCBO is one of the biggest trading companies for alc.
beverages. If not the biggest at all. Systembolaget in Sweden is a little
smaller but still huge. When the imports in Sweden rose significantly from
the baltic states, Systembolaget ran into trouble and had to lay of 100
people to stay profitable.

Regards,
Horst

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