Peter C
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As some have said, it depends on where you are coming from, EU or Non-EU country, plus some special conditions: for example:
Travelling to the UK from the European Union (EU)
Special rules for cigarettes and some tobacco products from some EU countries
Alcohol or tobacco
If you bring in goods on which tax has been paid in an EU country, you do not have to pay any tax or duty on them in the UK. However any alcohol or tobacco you bring in must be for your own use and transported by you.
Own use’ includes goods for your own consumption and gifts. If you bring in goods for resale, or for any payment, even payment kind, they are regarded as being for a commercial purpose.
But there are special rules for cigarettes and some tobacco products from some EU countries.
The EU Countries are: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus*, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, The Irish Republic, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain (but not the Canary Islands), Sweden, The UK (but not the Channel Islands).
Though the whole of Cyprus is part of the EU, goods from any area of Cyprus not under effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus are treated as non-EU imports.
Although Gibraltar is part of the EU, it is outside the Community Customs territory. The Customs allowances for outside the EU therefore apply.
Alcohol or tobacco
If you are bringing in alcohol or tobacco goods and we have reason to suspect they may be for a commercial purpose, a Customs officer may ask you questions and make checks, for example about:
the type and quantity of goods you have bought
why you bought them
how you paid for them
whether all your goods are openly displayed or concealed
how often you travel
how much you normally smoke or drink or
any other relevant circumstances.
You are particularly likely to be asked questions if you have more than:
3200 cigarettes, 200 cigars, 400 cigarillos, 3kg tobacco, 110 litres of beer, 90 litres of wine, 10 litres of spirits, 20 litres of fortified wine (such as port or sherry).
The officer will take into account all the factors of the situation and your explanation.
If we are satisfied that the goods are for a commercial purpose we may seize them and any vehicle used to transport them, and may not return them to you.
If you are caught selling alcohol or tobacco goods they may be seized, and for a serious offence you could get up to seven years in prison.
The country where you buy tobacco goods may have its own laws on how much you can buy or have in your possession, and what documents you need. If in doubt, check with that country’s authorities before you buy.
If you let a coach, ferry or aircraft store your goods while travelling back to the UK you must make sure when you arrive in the UK that you collect the exact goods you bought.
From some EU countries there are limits on the amount of tobacco products you can bring back without paying UK duty.
From CZECH REPUBLIC - 200 cigarettes or 250g of smoking tobacco or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos
From ESTONIA - 200 cigarettes or 250g of smoking tobacco*
From HUNGARY, LATVIA, LITHUANIA, POLAND, SLOVAKIA OR SLOVENIA - 200 cigarettes*
*No limit on other tobacco products as long as they are for your own use.
If you have tobacco products over these limits you should speak to a Customs officer in the red channel or on the red point phone.
Also Note (if you are tempted): There are heavy penalties for smuggling, so:
Never carry anything into the UK for someone else.
Never bring banned goods into the UK.
If you are driving, make sure that everyone travelling with you knows what goods are banned or restricted. If you smuggle goods in a car, the car may be seized by Customs.
You can look up the allowances for Non-EU at the hmrc site below. |
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