Tobacco tourism is booming: Czechs, buying cigarettes in Poland, they can save CZK 50 on one parcel, i.e. PLN 8.50. “Price differences between both countries motivate many smokers to shop abroad,” reports poznatsvet.cz. The portal draws attention to the flourishing “tobacco tourism of Czechs to Poland” and indicates that the main reason is lower consumption tax.
This is how taxes increased in the Czech Republic: From February 1, 2024, the amount of excise duty on cigarettes in the Czech Republic has increased by 10 percentand is expected to increase by another two years 5 percent annually. Last year, the price of a pack of cigarettes increased by 8 crowns (approx. PLN 1.40), and in the following years the price will increase by 5 crowns (approx. 85 gr) per year.
Billions of losses: It is estimated that the Czech Republic loses CZK 7 billion in taxes annually on “tobacco tourism”, i.e. approx. PLN 1.190 billion. The Customs Administration of the Czech Republic fights against the illegal import of cigarettes by conducting border controls. From January to August 2024, customs officers secured over 230 thousand pieces of untaxed cigarettes. The current limit on the import of cigarettes for personal use in European Union countries is 800 pieces per person.
This is how excise duty will increase in Poland: From March 1, 2025, excise duty on tobacco products will increase, i.e. cigarettes, smoking tobacco, cigars and cigarillos, drought tobacco and innovative products. This year the price of a pack of cigarettes will exceed PLN 20and tobacco PLN 78.19 per 100 grams. The rate on cigarettes will increase by 25 percentin 2026 o 20 percentand in 2027 for more 15 percent
More about increases in 2025 they wrotein the text: “A wave of price increases is coming. More expensive cigarettes and alcohol, higher property and dog taxes“.
Sources: PoznatsvetRadio Information Agency