South Africa is currently an emerging economy and has various trade agreements with the United States of America and the United Kingdom according to which South Africa enjoys different preferential rules of origin. In some respects, current customs and excise legislation relating to rules of origin places South Africa at a disadvantage in the global arena. In some cases, preferential rules of origin with developed countries benefit South Africa little if they are not properly structured, or if the rules of various trade agreements contradict each other. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether South Africa’s rules of origin are sufficiently aligned with those of more developed economies to improve the economy, thereby increasing trade growth and tax revenue. This study compared the South African rules of origin with rules of origin that are applied in another developing country, namely Brazil, as well as to those applied in two developed countries, namely the United Kingdom and the United States. To illustrate the application of the rules of origin, this study focused specifically on rules of origin applicable to individual quick frozen poultry. This comparative study identified similarities and differences between the countries, and noted possible improvements to South African customs and excise tax legislation for this industry. It was found that the rules of origin applied in South Africa are similar in some respects to those used in the UK. An improvement that South Africa could make is to minimise the number of rules in effect by negotiating better preferential rates of duty across more than one country. South Africa could also ensure that it can comply with all obligatory conditions of trade agreements entered into to avoid under-utilisation of the benefits of a trade agreement. By adopting or adapting some of the advantages of the rules of origin in the countries chosen for comparison, South Africa can grow its international trade and generate increased tax revenue to support the government’s revenue income demand. / Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / tm2015 / Taxation / MCom / Unrestricted

In this essay I have estimated what impact the Swedish air passenger tax that was introduced in Sweden on April 1st in 2018 has had on passenger numbers in Sweden. The tax was introduced to lower demand for air travel within the public and thus, decrease the aviation industry´s greenhouse gas emissions as aviation contributes through these emissions to a large extent to climate change and is expected to have an even greater impact in the future as the number of air travels are expected to grow continuously. Besides that the emissions from aviation have this large negative impact on the climate, a large part of these emissions are not included in any pricing system or market. Therefore, aviation is a source of negative externalities and the Swedish air passenger tax is an instrument implemented to correct for these negative externalities. Previous studies that have evaluated similar taxes and their effects have reached different conclusions. I have used the difference-in-difference method to estimate any effect from the introduced aviation tax in Sweden. Denmark is used as the control group to compare the development in Sweden with. I found that the tax has had a decreasing effect on passenger numbers in Sweden. It is discussed however if this estimated decrease in passenger numbers might be biased and thus overstated. It is also discussed if this decrease might be due to other reasons than the air passenger tax itself.

A large part of the empirical work on differentiated products markets has focused on demand estimation and the pricing behavior of firms. These two themes are key inputs in important applications such as the merging of two firms or the introduction of new products. The validity of inferences, therefore, depends on accurate demand estimates and sound assumptions about the pricing behavior of firms. This dissertation makes a contribution to this literature in two ways. First, it adds to previous techniques of estimating demand for differentiated products. Second, it extends previous analyses of pricing behavior to models of price leadership that, while important, have received limited attention. The investigation focuses on the U.S. brewing industry, where price leadership appears to be an important type of firm behavior. The analysis is conducted in two stages. In the first stage, the recent Distance Metric (DM) method devised by Pinkse, Slade and Brett is used to estimate the demand for 64 brands of beer in 58 major metropolitan areas of the United States. This study adds to previous applications of the DM method (Pinkse and Slade; Slade 2004) by employing a demand specification that is more flexible and also by estimating advertising substitution coefficients for numerous beer brands. In the second stage, different pricing models are compared and ranked by exploiting the exogenous change in the federal excise tax of 1991. Demand estimates of the first stage are used to compute the implied marginal costs for the different models of pricing behavior prior to the tax increase. Then, the tax increase is added to the these pre-tax increase marginal costs, and equilibrium prices for all brands are simulated for each model of pricing behavior. These "predicted" prices are then compared to actual prices for model assessment. Results indicate that Bertrand-Nash predicts the pricing behavior of firms more closely than other models, although Stackelberg leadership yields results that are not substanitally different from the Bertrand-Nash model. Nevertheless, Bertrand-Nash tends to under-predict prices of more price-elastic brands and to over-predict prices of less price- elastic brands. An implication of this result is that Anheuser-Busch could exert more market power by increasing the price of its highly inelastic brands, especially Budweiser. Overall, actual price movements as a result of the tax increase tend to be more similar across brands than predicted by any of the models considered. While this pattern is not inconsistent with leadership behavior, leadership models considered in this dissertation do not conform with this pattern. / Ph. D.

The topicality of this issue increases proportionally with increasing consumption of tobacco products, especially in certain age and social groups. Revenue from excise taxes on tobacco products is growing partly due to the ever-increasing consumption of tobacco products and also due to a gradual increase in taxes. The theoretical part will deal with tax theory, the theory of general government revenue and expenditure and the negative consequences caused by the consumption of tobacco products. The practical part will analyze the evolution of consumption of tobacco products, the development of revenues from excise taxes on tobacco products, development costs incurred in removing the negative consequences of tobacco consumption and the like. The aim of this work is the processing of the material on the development of tobacco consumption and evaluation of revenue and expenses resulting from the consumption of tobacco products, including the negative consequences, which will be proposed for their elimination.

The subject of this thesis is interaction between market prices and consumption taxes. The thesis contains analysis of influence of consumption taxes on market prices of five chosen goods, monitors possible causes, observes and quantifies the amount of additionally imposed tax, which is beard by consumer or producer of the good. The analysis of consumption taxes influence on market prices is performed by methods of correlation and regression analysis. Analyzed products are petrol "natural 95" (unleaded), diesel oil, cigarettes Petra and Sparta, dark rum and beer. Prices of these goods are monitored by Czech Statistical Office. First part of this thesis contains mostly theoretical introduction and impact theory of taxes. Second part deals with particular consumption taxes and their short-term impact. The third part of this thesis contains the statistical analysis.

This dissertation attempts to determine to what extent sections 88 and 90 of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964 comply with the constitutional right to just administrative action, read with the provisions of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act 3 of 2000. As international trade increases, it is increasingly important that the provisions of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964 which regulate the industry are regarded as constitutional as potential trade between South Africa and other countries may be lost if the said provisions are not seen as promoting administrative justice. As wide and far-reaching powers are conveyed upon an administrator acting in accordance with the provisions of sections 88 and 90 of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964, it is important that the said provisions are regarded as constitutional. As not only goods, but also vessels, vehicles and other property used in connection with the suspected goods may be seized in terms of the aforementioned sections, the danger of potential large-scale pecuniary losses to the trader immediately becomes evident. As the current provisions do not allow an affected party to state his or her case before the action in terms of sections 88 and 90 is taken by an administrator, nor require the administrator to provide reasons for his or her action, the legality of the said provisions are tested against the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, as effected by the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act 3 of 2000. The remedies available to an affected party of an action in terms of the relevant sections of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964 are discussed in depth, together with the issue of the determination of the procedural fairness of such action. Certain practical guidelines in the exercising of powers in terms of the aforementioned sections are also given, providing an administrator with a minimum framework of responsibilities and guidelines in order to ensure that the legality of his or her action cannot be brought into dispute. As is evident from the content of this paper, the constitutionality of any action in terms of the relevant sections of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964 will almost always depend on the circumstances of the individual case. It is therefore of the utmost importance that an administrator applies his or her mind in a reasonably acceptable manner in order to ensure compliance with the administrative justice provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. The dissertation consists of a literary study, focusing on the latest developments regarding the promotion of justice in the international trade industry in South Africa, taking into account statutory provisions, case law, text books, journal articles as well as internet sources. / Thesis (LL.M. (Import and Export Law))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

This dissertation attempts to determine to what extent sections 88 and 90 of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964 comply with the constitutional right to just administrative action, read with the provisions of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act 3 of 2000. As international trade increases, it is increasingly important that the provisions of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964 which regulate the industry are regarded as constitutional as potential trade between South Africa and other countries may be lost if the said provisions are not seen as promoting administrative justice. As wide and far-reaching powers are conveyed upon an administrator acting in accordance with the provisions of sections 88 and 90 of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964, it is important that the said provisions are regarded as constitutional. As not only goods, but also vessels, vehicles and other property used in connection with the suspected goods may be seized in terms of the aforementioned sections, the danger of potential large-scale pecuniary losses to the trader immediately becomes evident. As the current provisions do not allow an affected party to state his or her case before the action in terms of sections 88 and 90 is taken by an administrator, nor require the administrator to provide reasons for his or her action, the legality of the said provisions are tested against the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, as effected by the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act 3 of 2000. The remedies available to an affected party of an action in terms of the relevant sections of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964 are discussed in depth, together with the issue of the determination of the procedural fairness of such action. Certain practical guidelines in the exercising of powers in terms of the aforementioned sections are also given, providing an administrator with a minimum framework of responsibilities and guidelines in order to ensure that the legality of his or her action cannot be brought into dispute. As is evident from the content of this paper, the constitutionality of any action in terms of the relevant sections of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964 will almost always depend on the circumstances of the individual case. It is therefore of the utmost importance that an administrator applies his or her mind in a reasonably acceptable manner in order to ensure compliance with the administrative justice provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. The dissertation consists of a literary study, focusing on the latest developments regarding the promotion of justice in the international trade industry in South Africa, taking into account statutory provisions, case law, text books, journal articles as well as internet sources. / Thesis (LL.M. (Import and Export Law))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Smoking is considered as the single greatest preventable cause of morbidity and mortality. Therefore government is trying to reduce smoking by its interventions. The subject of this work is to examine the effects of governmental interventions in terms of their proclaimed and actual consequences. The criterions for our evaluations will be the impact of the intervention on the public health, state budget and social redistribution. In order to outline the situation more comprehensively we will include also uninteded consequences of governmental activities. This will serve as an additional criterion for governmental intervention evaluation. We have no ambition to find the clearly best method for reduction of smoking behavior. We will attempt to point out that there are several contradictions among proclaimed and actual consequences of governmental interventions.

The subject of this diploma thesis is to analyze the system of taxation of alcoholic beverages in the Scandinavian countries. The main aim of this thesis is to compare the taxation of alcoholic beverages in the Nordic countries with taxation in the rest of the European Union. The first part is theoretical and focuses on defining the concepts of tax competition, tax harmonization and coordination. It also includes harmonization of excise duties on alcoholic beverages based on the Directives of the European Union. The second part relates to the consumption of alcoholic beverages and deals with the historical aspect, changes in consumption patterns and the level of consumption in the Nordic countries. The third part deals with the taxation of alcoholic beverages, its development and differences in the Nordic countries compared with other countries of the European Union. In the second and the third part is carried out data analysis through statistical hypothesis testing and calculation of the coefficient of variation. The fourth part contains the evaluation. The thesis is peformed using descriptive, research, analytical and comparative methods and methods of mathematical statistics. The main outcome of this thesis is the finding that in all kinds of examined alcohol except spirits there is a different (for still wine and intermediate products even very different) level of taxation in the Nordic countries and other countries of the European Union.

Unhealthy eating habits are one of the main causes of deteriorating health and premature death among Sweden’s population. Foods containing added sugars are common today and they rarely contain the nutrients that are essential for our bodies to stay healthy. Overconsuming sugar can lead to several diseases, including obesity and caries. Obesity in turn increases the risk of suffering from cardiovascular diseases, cancer, stroke, and diabetes type 2. The health effects of sugar are costly to society and a sugar tax on sugar-sweetened beverages is a possible financial instrument to improve public health and at the same time reduce healthcare costs. The cost savings and tax revenue can then be used to finance further implementations of strategies to improve the public health of the citizens of Sweden. The purpose of this essay is to investigate whether it is socio-economically viable to introduce an excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages in Sweden. The drinks that would be affected by the tax are sodas, juices, energy drinks, sport drinks and ciders. A cost-benefit analysis is the economic method that will be used in this essay to investigate the issue. The possible costs and benefits from the implementation of a tax are identified and valued in monetary terms. In addition to this, a sensitivity analysis is carried out to test how sensitive the project is to differences in estimated costs and benefits. The calculations of costs and benefits are based on secondary data and statistics from previous studies as well as reports and statistics from Swedish authorities. The results of this essay show that the benefits of a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages had exceeded the costs, which is also showed by the cost-benefit ratio which is 1,47 and thus exceeds 1. The sensitivity analysis shows that the results are stable and credible since alternative values of costs and benefits also would lead to cost-benefit ratios exceeding 1. Based on the results, a recommendation is made to introduce an excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages in Sweden, since the introduction is estimated to be socio-economically viable. / I denna uppsats utförs en kostnads-nyttoanalys för att undersöka om det är samhällsekonomiskt lönsamt att införa en punktskatt på sötad dryck i Sverige. De drycker som skulle påverkas av skatten är läsk, juice, saft, energidryck, sportdryck, cider samt måltidsdryck som är sötade med socker eller naturligt innehåller en hög sockerhalt. Socker har endast negativ påverkan på vår hälsa och överkonsumtion av socker är en orsak till ett flertal sjukdomar som är vanligt förekommande idag, bland annat övervikt och karies. Övervikt ökar i sin tur risken för att drabbas av fetma, hjärt- och kärlsjukdomar, cancer, stroke och diabetes typ 2. Hälsoeffekterna av socker är kostsamma för samhället och en sockerskatt på dryck är ett möjligt styrmedel för att förbättra folkhälsan och samtidigt minska dessa kostnader. Kostnadsbesparingarna kan därefter distribueras till viktiga ändamål, exempelvis för att finansiera ytterligare strategier för en bättre hälsa hos befolkningen. Resultaten i uppsatsen visar att fördelarna av en skatt på sötade drycker hade överstigit kostnaderna, vilket går att se då nyttokostnadskvoten som beräknas uppgår till 1,47 och alltså överstiger 1. Utöver kostnads-nyttoanalysen utförs även en känslighetsanalys för att testa hur känsligt resultatet är för förändringar av värdet för olika parametrar som kommer påverkas av införandet av skatten. Känslighetsanalysen visar att resultatet är stabilt och trovärdigt då även alternativa värden leder till en nyttokostnadskvot som överstiger 1. Resultatet används som grund för en rekommendation om att införa en punktskatt på sötade drycker i Sverige, då införandet är samhällsekonomiskt lönsamt.