James Delahunty
9 Jan 2006 21:03
The European Union plans to add a 14% import duty onto imported LCD monitors. This action will lead to a huge hike in prices. It applies to any screen over 19" in size and applies to monitors that are not produced in the EU, which is the majority of monitors imported. Philips, for example, manufactures most of its LCD monitors in the Far East. Dutch trade organisation ICT Office believes the tariff will cost its members millions.
The Netherlands last year became the first EU state to impose a 14% tax on DVI screens as a result of an EU directive signed in 2004. The Dutch State Secretary of Finance then decided that LCD screens classified solely as a computer monitor would have to be taxed also. ICT Office says that the EU tariff conflicts with the Information Technology Agreement (ITA). It states that levies would not be encouraged through future trade agreements.
Source:
The Register