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EU kills a plan that would have raised taxes on mobile phones by up to 14%

Categories: Government
By: , IntoMobile
Thursday, July 2nd, 2009 at 12:39 PM

Recently proposed legislation in the EU that would have seen mobile phones reclassified as “multi-functional devices” and would have raised taxes by as much as 14% has been killed. Mobile phones shipping with TV receivers, would have received an increased tax of 14%, and mobile with GPS functionality would have become 3% more expensive. A Nokia spokesperson said “Nokia is very pleased that the Commission is taking this view and that the uncertainty surrounding the issue is now being removed.”

“We need more products and businesses free of tariffs, not less, and therefore today’s decision and the backing that was achieved is a very positive signal,” Swedish Trade Minister Ewa Bjorling said in a statement.

This doesn’t change the fact that a Nokia E71 is $300 on Amazon.com, yet in Finland the same device is 370 EUR or $518.63.

Where is that extra $220 going? Do you live in a country in the EU? What does a Nokia E71 cost you?

About The Author

Stefan Constantinescu

Stefan Constantinescu (@WhatTheBit on Twitter) has loved technology since as far back as he can remember. It started with computers, but in the past few years his passion has turned to mobile devices. As a mobile phone enthusiast who lives and breathes devices that connect to the internet, he knows he is not alone with this radical fascination of all things wireless. He is strongly opinionated and enjoys a good debate so leave comments in his posts and he’ll get back to you! Stefan began blogging as a hobby in the fall of 2006 and joined IntoMobile in the summer of 2007. Later he got a job at Nokia in March 2008, but as of June 2009 he has rejoined the IntoMobile team. He is currently based out of Helsinki, Finland.

  • Martin

    €299.- in Germany at amazon.de, tax and shipping included. I guess the US price doesn’t have taxes and shipping included?

  • Stefan Constantinescu

    If you order online, you do not pay tax, unless the warehouse the item shipped from is in the same state as you. Amazon also gives you free shipping if you order is above $50 usually, but I could be wrong on that. Still, 299 EUR in Germany is about $140 (84.71 EUR) more expensive than in the USA.

  • Plamen

    In Bulgaria the cheapest price online is $350.