Free Movement of Goods Flashcards
Italian Art
Goods = products that can be valued in money and are capable of forming the basis of commercial transactions
Diamentarbeiders
CEEs are strictly prohibited, even if non-protectionist and for social benefit
Bresciani
Charge must be benefit to the importer to be lawful
Statistical Levy
CEE = charge imposed imposed unilaterally on goods by reason of them crossing the border, and is not a customs duty in the strict sense (consideration for service provided to an importer)
Irrrelevant - size, designation, mode of application, benefit to the state, non-discriminatory, non-protectionist
Belgian Warehouses
The service must be at the request of the importer
Dansk Denkavit
A levy to fund the cost of foodstuffs crossing the border is lawful if it also applies to domestic products
Commission v Germany (Animal inspections)
Article 30 does not apply to a system of internal dues or a proportionate payment for a service rendered to the importer, or is required by community law
Charge must not exceed the cost of the inspection
Must be obligatory and uniform for all relevant products within the EU
Must be prescribed by EU law and in the general interests of the union
Must ultimately increase the free movement of goods by removing barriers caused by unilaterally imposed measures
Lutticke
CEEs and internal taxation are covered by two mutually exclusive systems
Article 110 has direct effect
Commission v Netherlands
An inspection is lawful if the obligation is uniformly imposed on all Member States by reason of international treaty
Levy on Reprographic Machinery
Tax = a general system of internal dues applied systematically to categories of products irrespective of their origin
Distinctly applicable taxes will be unlawful where domestic production is negligible and serves a protectionist effect
John Walker
Needs are determined from consumers’ perspective, characteristics are objectively determined
Commission v Denmark (Fruit and Grape Wines)
Products will be similar if they meet the same consumer needs
Commission v France (Spirits)
Similarity = similar and comparable use
Products may not be similar but may be in competition - would a consumer switch if one became more expensive or unavailable?
Rewe Zentrale
Test for similar products: whether, at the same stage of production and marketing, the products had similar characteristics and met the same needs of the consumer
Regenerated Oil
Direct discrimination cannot be justified
Humblot
Tax system was indirectly discriminatory as it had the effect of cancelling out the competitive advantage of imported cars
Commission v Greece
Indirect discrimination can be justified
Chemical Farmaceutici
Indirect discrimination may be justified if there is an objective distinction between the products, it pursues a legitimate aim, and other legislation is not discriminatory
Commission v Belgium (Wine)
Wine and beer were in competition, but the higher tax rate was insignificant when considered with the higher price of wine, so it did not affect consumer behaviour
Commission v UK (Wine and beer)
Tax policies cannot crystallise consumer behaviour in order to justify protectionist policies in regards to domestic products
Nationale Road v Belgium
Any measure prohibiting goods which have not been previously authorised from being marketed, sold or bought, constitutes an MEQR
Royal Pharmaceutical Society of GB
Measures adopted by professional bodies accorded regulatory powers by the state may fall under Article 34
Buy Irish
Member states cannot circumvent Article 34 by relying on a private company
An MEQR is a measure which influences traders’ choices and frustrates the free movement of goods
Irish Souvenirs
A measure which gives preference to domestic goods is an MEQR
Spanish Strawberries
A MS will be in breach of Article 34 if it does not take steps to prevent private bodies from impeding the free movement of goods