The Verkhovna Rada has failed at first reading to adopt a bill providing criminal responsibility for tobacco and alcohol smuggling.

The parliament did not collect the required number of votes (226). As a result, MPs sent the bill on amendments to Article 201 of the Criminal Code, related to criminalization of alcohol and tobacco smuggling through the customs border without customs control or with concealment from customs control (bill No. 3254), to the relevant committee for revision.

The bill proposes defining as a crime movement of alcoholic drinks and tobacco products through the customs border without customs control or with concealment from customs control on a large scale

In particular, such smuggling is punishable by imprisonment for a term of three to seven years with confiscation of contraband, as well as goods, vehicles with specially arranged hiding places used for transfer through the customs border of Ukraine avoiding customs control.

The smuggling of these products in large amounts is punishable by imprisonment for a term of five to ten years with confiscation of contraband, as well as goods vehicles with specially arranged hiding places used for transfer through the customs border of Ukraine avoiding customs control.

The smuggling of these products in a very large scale is punishable by imprisonment for a term of eight to 20 years with confiscation of contraband, as well as goods, vehicles with specially arranged hiding places used for transfer through the customs border of Ukraine avoiding customs control.