Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07PARIS585
2007-02-14 16:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
FRANCE: FUEL TAX EXONERATION FOR U.S. RESEARCH VESSELS
how-tonull Lucia A Keegan 02/15/2007 09:45:41 AM From DB/Inbox: Lucia A Keegan Cable Text: UNCLAS PARIS 00585 SIPDIS cxparis: ACTION: SCI INFO: POL AGR UNESCO AMBO SCIO LABO ENGO ECSO DCM AMB ECON ESCI DISSEMINATION: SCIX CHARGE: PROG APPROVED: ECON:RWDRY DRAFTED: SCI/OMS:LMBIRKINSHAW CLEARED: NONE VZCZCFRI260 RR RUEHC RUEHMRE DE RUEHFR #0585 0451649 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 141649Z FEB 07 FM AMEMBASSY PARIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4923 RUEHMRE/AMCONSUL MARSEILLE 1533
UNCLAS PARIS 000585
SIPDIS
PLEASE PASS TO OES/OA LIZ TIRPAK AND ROBERTA BARNES; EUR/WE; L/OES
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TPHY KRVC EWWT FR
SUBJECT: FRANCE: FUEL TAX EXONERATION FOR U.S. RESEARCH VESSELS
REF: NOTE VERBALE 82/AME DTD 24 JANUARY 2007
UNCLAS PARIS 000585
SIPDIS
PLEASE PASS TO OES/OA LIZ TIRPAK AND ROBERTA BARNES; EUR/WE; L/OES
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TPHY KRVC EWWT FR
SUBJECT: FRANCE: FUEL TAX EXONERATION FOR U.S. RESEARCH VESSELS
REF: NOTE VERBALE 82/AME DTD 24 JANUARY 2007
1. Embassy received from the MFA diplomatic note number 82/AME
dated 24 January 2007 (Ref A). Informal Embassy Translation
follows.
2. QUOTE: In its Diplomatic Note number 460 dated 14 September
2006, the Embassy had asked the Ministry whether U.S. vessels
conducting scientific research could be exonerated from paying taxes
when refueling in French ports. Following consultation with
relevant Ministries and organizations, the Ministry informs the
Embassy that US vessels conducting oceanographic research benefit
from the exoneration of the Petroleum Gas (TIPP) and the Value Added
Tax (VAT) on condition that they sail within the framework of
missions under the aegis of public U.S. authorities.
3. For further information, the Embassy can contact Mrs. Michelle
Jusselme, Ministry of Economy and Finances and Industry, Direction
General of Customs and Rights (Tel: 01-44-74-47-21
michelle.jusselme@douanes.finances.gouv.fr). END QUOTE
4. COMMENT: The Department will recall that in connection with the
cruise of R/V Endeavor (State Department File No. 2005-100) of April
2006, questions had arisen whether research vessels generally would
be exempted from payment of taxes on bunkering of their fuel in
French ports. Customs authorities in Marseille had replied
negatively. The information provided in the above Note helps to
clarify under what circumstances U.S. research vessels may be
exempted from fuel taxes. Perhaps most helpfully the note refers
the Embassy to a point-of-contact in French customs should questions
of interpretation arise in the future.
STAPLETON
SIPDIS
PLEASE PASS TO OES/OA LIZ TIRPAK AND ROBERTA BARNES; EUR/WE; L/OES
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TPHY KRVC EWWT FR
SUBJECT: FRANCE: FUEL TAX EXONERATION FOR U.S. RESEARCH VESSELS
REF: NOTE VERBALE 82/AME DTD 24 JANUARY 2007
1. Embassy received from the MFA diplomatic note number 82/AME
dated 24 January 2007 (Ref A). Informal Embassy Translation
follows.
2. QUOTE: In its Diplomatic Note number 460 dated 14 September
2006, the Embassy had asked the Ministry whether U.S. vessels
conducting scientific research could be exonerated from paying taxes
when refueling in French ports. Following consultation with
relevant Ministries and organizations, the Ministry informs the
Embassy that US vessels conducting oceanographic research benefit
from the exoneration of the Petroleum Gas (TIPP) and the Value Added
Tax (VAT) on condition that they sail within the framework of
missions under the aegis of public U.S. authorities.
3. For further information, the Embassy can contact Mrs. Michelle
Jusselme, Ministry of Economy and Finances and Industry, Direction
General of Customs and Rights (Tel: 01-44-74-47-21
michelle.jusselme@douanes.finances.gouv.fr). END QUOTE
4. COMMENT: The Department will recall that in connection with the
cruise of R/V Endeavor (State Department File No. 2005-100) of April
2006, questions had arisen whether research vessels generally would
be exempted from payment of taxes on bunkering of their fuel in
French ports. Customs authorities in Marseille had replied
negatively. The information provided in the above Note helps to
clarify under what circumstances U.S. research vessels may be
exempted from fuel taxes. Perhaps most helpfully the note refers
the Embassy to a point-of-contact in French customs should questions
of interpretation arise in the future.
STAPLETON