Romanian Senate rejects push to raise tax-free distilling limit

Romania’s Senate has rejected a proposal that would have raised the annual excise-duty-free limit for the home production of traditional alcoholic beverages to 200 liters per household.

The decision followed President Nicușor Dan’s request for Parliament to reconsider the bill, Digi24 reports.

Dan argued that the amendment concerning excise duties had been introduced by lawmakers at the final stage of the legislative process and had not been debated in the Senate.

The president also said the amendments to the Tax Code were unrelated to the objectives of the government ordinance, which focused on implementing EU directives on value-added tax (VAT), and did not derive from those objectives.

The rejection means the current excise-duty exemption remains in place. Households may produce up to 50 liters of fruit-based alcoholic beverages per year without paying excise duties, provided the drinks are intended solely for personal consumption and are not sold.

The bill has been returned to the Chamber of Deputies, which is expected to hold the final vote.

By Vafa Guliyeva