A new initiative from the EU could soon mean extra money in the Danish state coffers. According to the Ministry of Taxation, around 60 million more liters of soda will be purchased in Denmark as a result of the new rules, which will be implemented by 2029 at the latest. Danes, who traditionally buy large quantities of soda and beer in border shops, can expect to pay a deposit on the German cans. This change is estimated to generate 120 million Danish kroner annually for the Danish state treasury. However, the Ministry of Taxation points out that these estimates are subject to significant uncertainty.
It is expected that the decrease in cross-border trade of soda will amount to around 60 million liters, which will instead be bought in Denmark, contributing 75 million kroner annually due to taxes. Additionally, an increase in beer sales in Denmark is expected, bringing in an additional 40 million kroner, while alcoholic soda and cider will contribute 5 million kroner. Overall, this will result in an annual revenue of 120 million kroner to the state treasury. According to Minister of Taxation, Jeppe Bruus, the introduction of a deposit in German border shops will remove the savings that Danish consumers currently benefit from when shopping in Germany. This will lead to higher costs and less incentive to shop across the border.
The Minister also notes that there is an expected additional turnover in Danish shops of 450 million kroner, again with some uncertainty. The new packaging regulation from the EU Parliament requires that deposits be collected on German cans by 2029 at the latest. The purpose of the regulation is to reduce the amount of plastic in nature and minimize the number of cans, which will have a positive effect on the environment. Minister of the Environment, Magnus Heunicke, has previously referred to this as “a victory for the Danish nature.” Germany has so far had a special arrangement that allowed customers to avoid paying a deposit if the cans were exported to another EU country. This arrangement is now being discontinued.