Bangkok--17 Mar--PHILIP MORRIS
During recent political debates, a series of allegations related to an investigation into Philip Morris (Thailand) Ltd’s Thailand Branch (“PMTL”) customs valuation practices have been reported in the media.
PMTL would like to correct that misinformation and provide the simple facts as they relate to the customs valuation case:
Since the investigation began in 2006, PMTL has cooperated fully with all involved government agencies, produced thousands of documents and met many times with the competent authorities to clarify PMTL’s position and answer their questions. In June 2008, Thai Customs itself, following a two-year review by the Post Audit Division of PMTL’s customs valuation records, sent PMTL an official letter stating that it had found no wrongdoing with PMTL’s import price declarations. In November 2010, the World Trade Organization (“WTO”) ruled that there was no basis for Thai authorities to find that PMTL’s declared customs values were too low. ?
The WTO also stated that relevant officials failed to examine the evidence submitted by PMTL, failed to give the company a fair chance to defend itself and improperly disclosed to the public confidential information the company submitted in the customs valuation process.
“The decisions by the Post Audit Division of Thai Customs and the WTO confirm that there is no basis to reject PMTL’s declared customs values,” said Tammy Chan, General Manager of Philip Morris (Thailand) Ltd. “These decisions confirm what we have been saying since these baseless allegations first surfaced almost five years ago: PMTL’s declared customs values are consistent with both Thai law and the WTO Customs Valuation Agreement. There is simply no basis to say that the Thai government ever experienced a loss in tax revenue.”
Ms. Chan added, “The unfounded and irresponsible allegations that have recently appeared in the media have unfairly impacted our company, our employees and our business partners. PMTL takes these types of accusations very seriously and we will look at all available options to protect our employees and the company.”
About the company:
Philip Morris (Thailand) Limited (PMTL) is an affiliate of Philip Morris International Inc. PMTL began importing and distributing cigarettes in Thailand in 1991 and currently employs more than 350 people in the country.
Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI) is the leading international tobacco company, with seven of the world’s top 15 brands. PMI’s products are sold in approximately 180 countries. In 2010, the company held an estimated 16.0% share of the total international cigarette market outside of the U.S., or 27.6% excluding the People’s Republic of China and the U.S. For more information, see www.pmi.com
Issued on behalf of : Philip Morris (Thailand) Limited
For further information : Charonchai Salyapong
(
[email protected])
Tel. 0 2250 0555