Directive concerning the general arrangements for products subject to excise duty

The EU authorities passed Directive 2008/118/EC concerning the general arrangements for products subject to excise duty, which repeals Directive No. 92/12/EEC. The new legislation shall substantially aid in the efficient exchange of information between national tax authorities, introduce an electronic system for the monitoring of movement of consumer goods within the EU and define the legal framework for the functioning thereof. It also refines the definition of the objects subject to excise duty and the rules applicable to the payment thereof for the international shipping of goods. It has been designed to improve, and render more efficient, the fight against tax evasion.