Tax-free sales: vendor control systems applied by the Member States

In adopting, by 382 votes to 66, with 40 abstentions, the report by Mr Riccardo GAROSCI (UPE, I), the European Parliament took the view that in order for the single market to be definitively implemented, different tax islands must not be allowed to remain in existence within the Union, save on a temporary basis. It called for travellers departing from ports and airports in the Union whose final destination was a country outside the Union and who were subject to double checking of registration to be authorised to buy duty-free goods at the place of departure. As regards journeys by air, Parliament called for the part of the ticket retained by the passenger be franked and for franked tickets to be marked with a symbol representing the goods bought. Where the goods could be purchased duty-free subject to a limit on value, the purchase price limit on value should also appear with the symbol on the franked ticket. Parliament considered that there was an urgent need to adopt support measures for the sectors most seriously affected by the abolition of the duty-free sales system for travel within the Community.�