News
Know your duty-free allowances
27 July 2006
Holidaymakers are being encouraged to make sure they know how much alcohol and cigarettes they can bring back from their travels with them before they leave.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is trying to make sure tourists do not bring back more alcohol and tobacco than they should and do not take banned items home.
Kevin Franklin, HMRC frontiers director, said: 'As well as finding people with excess cigarettes or alcohol, every year we confiscate ivory, snakeskin and crocodile belts and bags, weapons, counterfeit designer goods, and meat and dairy produce.
'The people carrying these goods are often not determined smugglers - they are just completely unaware of the rules.'
He went on to describe how recently a traveller arrived at Newcastle Airport with a whole pig's head and trotters in his bag.
HMRC is now offering travellers three tips so they avoid any trouble.
Firstly, they should know how much alcohol or cigarettes they can bring back from non-EU countries before leaving.
Secondly, if they are not sure about a souvenir especially if it is food or a plant then they should not pack it.
Finally, if travellers are still uncertain at the airport, then they should head down the red channel at customs to pay the excess duty but not a fine.
Holidaymakers coming home from outside the EU are allowed to bring back 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, 2 litres of wine, 1 litre of spirits and up to £145 worth of all other goods including gifts and souvenirs.
Heading home from the EU there are no limits on alcohol or tobacco, although customs officials are likely to question those carrying large amounts back.
Travellers from new EU members such as Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary are only allowed to bring home 200 cigarettes.
© Adfero Ltd
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is trying to make sure tourists do not bring back more alcohol and tobacco than they should and do not take banned items home.
Kevin Franklin, HMRC frontiers director, said: 'As well as finding people with excess cigarettes or alcohol, every year we confiscate ivory, snakeskin and crocodile belts and bags, weapons, counterfeit designer goods, and meat and dairy produce.
'The people carrying these goods are often not determined smugglers - they are just completely unaware of the rules.'
He went on to describe how recently a traveller arrived at Newcastle Airport with a whole pig's head and trotters in his bag.
HMRC is now offering travellers three tips so they avoid any trouble.
Firstly, they should know how much alcohol or cigarettes they can bring back from non-EU countries before leaving.
Secondly, if they are not sure about a souvenir especially if it is food or a plant then they should not pack it.
Finally, if travellers are still uncertain at the airport, then they should head down the red channel at customs to pay the excess duty but not a fine.
Holidaymakers coming home from outside the EU are allowed to bring back 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, 2 litres of wine, 1 litre of spirits and up to £145 worth of all other goods including gifts and souvenirs.
Heading home from the EU there are no limits on alcohol or tobacco, although customs officials are likely to question those carrying large amounts back.
Travellers from new EU members such as Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary are only allowed to bring home 200 cigarettes.
© Adfero Ltd
