Article by Duane W. Layton , Paulette Vander Schueren and Felipe Berer of Tauil & Chequer Advogados

Originally published August 18, 2011

Keywords: WTO, Phillipine excise tax, distilled spirits, European Union

On August 15, 2011, a World Trade Organization (WTO) panel issued a ruling in the case brought by the European Union and the United States regarding "Philippines — Taxes on Distilled Spirits" (DS396 and DS403). The establishment of a panel to examine this matter was initially requested by the European Union in December 2009. Subsequently, the United States made a similar complaint in March 2010 and it was decided that, due to the multiple complainants, the panel established in January 2010 to examine the complaint by the European Union would also examine the US complaint.

This dispute concerned the long-debated question of whether the Philippines' excise tax regime on distilled spirits discriminated against imports by taxing them at a substantially higher rate than domestic spirits. Under the now condemned tax regime, the amount of taxes levied on distilled spirits differs depending on the raw materials from which the spirit is distilled. According to the criteria set out in the relevant legislation, a distinction is established between spirits made from certain designated raw materials that are locally available (e.g., sugarcane, coconut, and nipa), which are subject to a low flat tax, and spirits made from other non-designated raw materials such as wheat, to which significantly higher tax rates are applied.

First, the panel examined the facts presented and agreed with the complainants that such distinction led to a situation where all domestic-made spirits (e.g., gins, brandies, rums, vodkas, whiskies and tequila-type spirits) are subject to a low flat tax, while the vast majority of spirits imported into the Philippines are subject to higher tax rates. Then, the panel looked at the question of whether such dissimilar taxation has been applied by the Philippines "so as to afford protection" to its domestic production of distilled spirits. In doing so, the panel found that "the design, architecture, and structure of the measure, including the magnitude of the tax differential applicable to imported and domestic products" revealed its protective nature and concluded, therefore, that, although facially neutral, the Philippines' excise tax regime is discriminatory and violates the obligations under the first and second sentences of Article III:2 of the GATT 1994.

US Trade Representative Ron Kirk said in a statement that this panel report "... confirms that the Philippines' taxes on imported distilled spirits are discriminatory and inconsistent with WTO rules" and urged the Philippine government to take action and comply swiftly with the Panel's recommendations and rulings. The EU Trade Spokesman John Clancy also applauded the decision when he affirmed that this is "the confirmation of what is a clear case of tax discrimination" and revealed his hope that "the Philippines will take the necessary steps to remedy this longstanding situation without further ado."

It is not yet clear how the Philippine government will respond to this decision and whether it will appeal to the WTO Appellate Body. In any event, businesses involved in the production, exportation, or importation of distilled spirits into the Philippines should follow this issue closely as we are almost certainly on the verge of seeing significant changes in the $3 billion spirits market in the Philippines.

Learn more about our Global Trade practice.

Visit us at mayerbrown.com.

Mayer Brown is a global legal services organization comprising legal practices that are separate entities (the Mayer Brown Practices). The Mayer Brown Practices are: Mayer Brown LLP, a limited liability partnership established in the United States; Mayer Brown International LLP, a limited liability partnership incorporated in England and Wales; Mayer Brown JSM, a Hong Kong partnership, and its associated entities in Asia; and Tauil & Chequer Advogados, a Brazilian law partnership with which Mayer Brown is associated. "Mayer Brown" and the Mayer Brown logo are the trademarks of the Mayer Brown Practices in their respective jurisdictions.

© Copyright 2011. The Mayer Brown Practices. All rights reserved.

This article provides information and comments on legal issues and developments of interest. The foregoing is not a comprehensive treatment of the subject matter covered and is not intended to provide legal advice. Readers should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to the matters discussed herein. Please also read the JSM legal publications Disclaimer.