The Icelandic Supreme Court ruled today that a 76% toll on imported French Fries is not unconstitutional, Vísir reports. Import companies Innes and Hagar had disputed the tolls and were appealing the September 2016 ruling of the district court, which had also deemed the tolls to be in line with the constitution.
Both companies were seeking repayment from the Icelandic government for French Fry tolls paid between 2010 and 2014. Innes was seeking ISK 30 million [USD 293,000] in restitution, while Hagar was asking for repayment of ISK 71 million [USD 692,900]. Both companies felt that the toll was motivated by protectionism surrounding Icelandic agriculture. The court disagreed with this argument, however, and ruled that Icelandic parliament has the right to set customs duties.
In addition to having their claims dismissed, Innes and Hagar were each sentenced to pay the state ISK 700,000 [USD 6,800] to cover legal fees.
