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Article #202: Duty Free: What You Need To Know

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One of the highlights of a holiday abroad Channel Islands).
is the opportunity to stock up on items Though the whole of Cyprus is part of the
such as cigarettes, alcohol and perfume - EU, goods from any area of Cyprus not
collectively known as "duty free" goods. under effective control of the Government
Duty free items have no state, local or of the Republic of Cyprus are treated as
provincial taxes, federal import duties, non-EU imports.
or any other type of taxation added to Although Gibraltar is part of the EU, it
the cost of the item that you are buying is outside the Community Customs
- which makes them cheaper. Sometimes territory. The Customs allowances for
certain items can be considerably cheaper outside the EU therefore apply.
and we can be tempted to stock up but There are special rules for cigarettes
there are restrictions in place governing and some tobacco products from some EU
just how many duty free items we can countries. If you are bringing in alcohol
bring back from our holidays. or tobacco goods and Customs officers
Travelling back from outside the EU have reason to suspect they may be for a
When travelling from a non-EU country commercial purpose, a Customs officer may
(including the Canary Islands, the ask you questions and make checks, for
Channel islands and Gibraltar) you can example about:
bring the following into the UK for your - the type and quantity of goods you have
own use without paying UK tax or duty: bought
- 200 cigarettes; or 100 cigarillos; or - why you bought them
50 cigars; or 250g of tobacco - how you paid for them
- 60cc of perfume - whether all your goods are openly
- 2 litres of still table wine displayed or concealed
- 250cc of eau de toilette - how often you travel
- 1 litre of spirits or strong liqueurs - how much you normally smoke or drink or
over 22 per cent volume; or 2 litres of - any other relevant circumstances
fortified wine, sparkling wine or other You are particularly likely to be asked
liqueurs *such as port or sherry and questions if you have more than:
- 145 pounds worth of all other goods - 3200 cigarettes
including gifts and souvenirs - 200 cigars
If you have any more than these - 400 cigarillos
allowances you must declare the goods in - 3kg tobacco
the red channel or use the red point - 110 litres of beer
phone on your return to the UK. If you do - 90 litres of wine
not, you are breaking the law and you may - 10 litres of spirits
be prosecuted. - 20 litres of fortified wine (such as
In addition: port or sherry)
- If you are under 17 you cannot have the The officer will take into account all
tobacco and alcohol allowances the factors of the situation and your
- You are entitled to these allowances explanation.
only if you travel with the goods and do If they are satisfied that the goods are
not sell them for a commercial purpose they may seize
- If you bring in something worth more them and any vehicle used to transport
than the limit of 145 pounds, you must them, and may not return them to you.
pay charges on the full value, not just If you are caught selling alcohol or
the value above 145 pounds tobacco goods they may be seized, and for
- You and anyone you are travelling with a serious offence you could get up to
cannot pool your individual allowances to seven years in prison.
bring in an item worth more than the The country where you buy tobacco goods
limit. You will have to pay charges on may have its own laws on how much you can
the full value of the item buy or have in your possession, and what
- If you are bringing back any duty-free documents you need. If in doubt, check
or tax-free goods you bought when you with that country's authorities before
left the UK, these count as part of your you buy.
allowance If you let a coach, ferry or aircraft
Travelling back from inside the EU store your goods while travelling back to
If you bring in goods on which tax has the UK you must make sure when you arrive
been paid in an EU country, you do not in the UK that you collect the exact
have to pay any tax or duty on them in goods you bought.
the UK. However any alcohol or tobacco From some EU countries there are limits
you bring in must be for your own use and on the amount of tobacco products you can
transported by you. bring back without paying UK duty.
Own use includes goods for your own From CZECH REPUBLIC - 200 cigarettes or
consumption and gifts. If you bring in 250g of smoking tobacco or 50 cigars or
goods for resale, or for any payment, 100 cigarillos
even payment kind, they are regarded as From ESTONIA - 200 cigarettes or 250g of
being for a commercial purpose. smoking tobacco*
The EU Countries are: Austria, Belgium, From HUNGARY, LATVIA, LITHUANIA, POLAND,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, SLOVAKIA OR SLOVENIA - 200 cigarettes*
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, *No limit on other tobacco products as
Hungary, The Irish Republic, Italy, long as they are for your own use.
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The If you have tobacco products over these
Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, limits you should speak to a Customs
Slovenia, Spain (but not the Canary officer in the red channel or on the red
Islands), Sweden, The UK (but not the point phone.






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