Law - Customs & Excise

At some ports and airports all travellers leave by the same exit, but at others there's a separate exit for travellers from other EU countries. This separate exit usually has a blue sign. Checks are carried out on some EU travellers to look for prohibited or restricted goods. You don't have to pay tax or duty in the UK on goods you've bought in other EU countries for your own use, but, ‘own use’ includes gifts, but you may be breaking the law if you sell goods you've bought. If you're caught selling the goods, they'll be taken off you and you could get up to seven years in prison. Any vehicle you used to transport the goods could also be taken off you.

The law sets out guidelines for the amount of alcohol and tobacco you can bring into the UK. If you bring in more than this, you must be able to satisfy the officer, if you're asked, that the goods are for your own use. If you can’t, the goods may be taken off you. If you let a coach, ferry or aircraft store your goods while travelling back to the UK you must make sure they're clearly marked, so when you land you can collect the exact goods you bought.

There's no limit to the amount you can buy in the EU for your own use, but the GUIDELINES for goods are:

Spirits 10 litres
Cigarettes 800 (later increased to 3,200)
Cigarillos 400
Cigars 200
Smoking tobacco 1 Kg (later increased to 3kg)
Fortified wine (such as port and sherry) 20 litres
Wine (only 60 litres of this can be sparkling wine) 90 litres
(later increased to 120 bottles)
Beer 110 litres

How Customs & Excise determine guidelines click here
How to fight back if you are accused of an offence click here
How to get cheaper tobacco legally click here
Having problems with Customs & Excise? click here

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