Belgrade-based dailies are not circulating in Kosovo since yesterday, after the dilemma was raised whether the VAT is due to be paid for imported media outlets. Kosovo Customs yesterday didn’t allow vehicles, distributing Serbian newspapers, to enter without paying the VAT, leaving Serbian readers without the right to be informed. The distributer of Serbian newspapers claims that media outlets are exempted from the VAT, whereas the Customs and Tax Administration said that printed media outlets are not exempted from the VAT and that the 16 percent VAT should be paid for newspapers like for any other goods which are not exempted from the VAT.
Isin Lipovica from the Tax Administration’s Media Office says that, “law 04-LN8, articles 29 and 30, stipulate that the import of daily and weekly outlets printed out of Kosovo are not exempted from the VAT”.
Spokesperson of the Customs Administration Adriatik Stavileci told RTK2 that newspapers are commercial goods, thus the VAT is applicable. “Distribution of Serbian media outlets is possible only if the VAT is paid, since printed outlets fell in the category of commercial goods,” explained Stavileci.
The Office of the Kosovo Ombudsman carried that they didn’t receive any request for protection of the right to be informed, with regards to distribution of Serbian outlets, and reminded that this institution acts upon the submission of citizens’ complaints and not based on articles carried by media.
Head of the Public Information Office of the Ombudsperson Majlinda Lulaj also said that printed media outlets fell in the category of profitable businesses, thus the VAT is applicable in line with the laws in force.
The fact is that Serbian readers in Kosovo will be left without printed media outlets in their native language as long as the dispute between distributers and Customs Administration continues.
