Magic trick with schnapps tax-as Finance Minister Keller-Sutter brought the customs law under roof and subject

The large customs reform is ready for the final vote after three years of handicrafts in the federal parliament. In the end, the Federal President took the trick box.

In the end, the customs law needed a Federal President. Karin Keller-Sutter said on Tuesday in the Council of States: « I can now take over the minority Sommaruga, which does not exist, and at least enable you to be able to vote on it. » No sooner said than done. The Council of States approved 25 to 19 votes to the non-existent application from SP Councilor Carlo Sommaruga.

And ultimately ensured that the import of spirits will in future be regulated in the controversial new customs law and not in the alcohol law.

The process ensures red heads. « To coordinate a minority proposal that is not at all, this is a constitutional scandal, so no longer any parliamentary company is possible, » says Peter Platzer, lawyer and managing director of the Spiritsuisse.

The industry vehemently resisted the system change because it fears disadvantages. The handling is becoming more complicated, the customs administration will now make “endless regulations and instructions”, with the new regulation you will receive a “carte blanche”, the result is additional costs for companies.

FDP Finance Minister Keller Sutter had promised the opposite in parliament, it was obviously a misunderstanding. When the industry prevails, its administrative effort and also the administration will become larger. In the future, spirits could no longer be transferred from the border to a tax warehouse, but would already be removed and taxed at the border, said Keller-Sutter. This brings « great capital education for the companies concerned ».

Sommaruga had also pointed this out to this. However, because it was not his job to represent the interests of the industry, he did not apply for a minority. From this wording, Keller-Sutter subsequently made « the minority Sommaruga that does not exist ».

The magic trick with the schnapps tax is somehow typical of the controversial large customs reform, which was initiated by the customs director Christian Bock, which was still discontinued by 2023. After almost three years back and forth in parliament, it is finally ready for the final vote at the end of the ongoing session.

Central points such as the armament of customs staff during controls or the merging of customs and borders had already been decided by the two councilors. Also that employees of the Federal Office for customs and border protection (BAZG) may also take fingerprints and DNA samples in certain cases.