The Legislative Yuan yesterday passed draft amendments to the customs import tariff that would make malt and hops duty-free to lower costs and boost the competitiveness of the domestic beer industry.
Under the revisions, the 7.5 percent tariff on roasted and unroasted malt would be eliminated. Tariffs on hops — whether ground, unground or pelletized, as well as hop extracts — would also be cut to zero from 7.5 to 15 percent.
The legislature’s Finance Committee jointly reviewed the amendments last month after they were proposed by Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Lin Szu-ming (林思銘) and several lawmakers from across party lines.
Photo: CNA
The changes were intended to support local brewers by reducing tariffs on key imported raw materials used in beer production, the bill’s sponsors said.
Domestic beer brands have long faced pressure from foreign competitors benefiting from lower prices and tariff advantages, they said.
The amendments were designed to provide tariff relief on malt and hops to help brewers survive and develop over the long term, they added.
The Ministry of Finance said in a report that the tariff cuts are expected to result in a loss of NT$74.35 million (US$2.35 million) in customs revenue.
However, the measures could enhance the competitiveness of domestically produced beer and boost demand, generating an estimated NT$169.74 million in additional tax revenue, the ministry said.
After accounting for the tariff revenue loss, the net fiscal benefit is projected at NT$95.39 million, it added.
The Ministry of Agriculture said that barley and hops used in brewing are primarily imported, as domestic cultivation lacks economic scale, adding that it respected the views of authorities regarding tariff cuts on beer-related raw materials.
The bill, which did not require cross-party negotiations, passed initial review during committee deliberations last month, during which some Democratic Progressive Party lawmakers urged authorities to strengthen enforcement against illicit transshipment and origin laundering involving Chinese products.
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