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Mid-East mystery vita

18th March 1977, Page 5
18th March 1977
Page 5
Page 5, 18th March 1977 — Mid-East mystery vita
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

of border taxes

DFTEN CHAOTIC, the TurEish border situation has )ecome even more confused.

For UK hauliers crossing into Turkey last week were hit with a new, higher transit tax of 40 kurus per tonne/lkilometre, a tax that the Department of Transport here says is a violation of an agreement with the Turkish government.

The situation began on Thursday afternoon (March 10) when operators in the UK were informed by their Turkish agent that the transit tax had gone up, effective that Jay.

The old rate of 25 kurus per tonne/kilometre was to be replaced by the 40 kurus rate. And on Saturday morning the first British lorry to get to the Turkish border, an 18-tonne reefer, was assesed at the equivalent of £375 for transit instead of the expected £200.

According to the company's agent in Turkey the 40 kurus rate would be in effect until a new agreement between the UK and Turkish authorities was signed.

But the Department of Transport here expressed total mystification over the events. The agreement with Turkey, it axplained, was signed last year 3n March 15. At that time the Turkish authorities were bringing in the 40 Kurus rate, but the agreement exempted British hauliers from the higher assessment and allowed then the lower tonne/kilometre rate of 25 kurus.

That agreement, the DTp said, was to continue until March 15 this year, and then be extended for another six months.

So, in effect, the higher transit tax being assessed on British hauliers violates the terms of the agreement between the two countries.

"There might be some confusion on the part of the border guards," a spokesman for the Department of Transport suggested. "Some of them might know of this. But really, nothing should have happened at all."

What is unexplained is why the 10th of the month was picked to begin assessing UK drivers at the higher rate. Logic suggests that confusion should have reigned on the 15th when the year-long agreement lapsed and the extension came in.

A spokesman for the Turkish Embassy financial office was equally unedifying. "We've heard about the increase," he said, "but we haven't yet been notified from Ankara."

The Department of Transport, however, issued an announcement late this week saying that the arrangement for the 25 kurus per tonne/ kilometre rate with the Turkish Govemthent was extended for another six months.

It also announced that if any haulier has been "incorrectly charged", he is advised to refer the documents to the British Embassy in Ankara who will request re-payment from the Turkish authorities.


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