 Holidays Travel |
Cheap Holidays and TravelCheap holidays and travel deals online |
 |
|
Cheap Holidays and Travel Holidays Travel Directory Holidays Travel Information Holidays Travel News 
|
Cheap Holidays and Travel>Information>Duty Free & Tax Free Shopping Duty Free & Tax Free ShoppingMany passengers are still unclear about the amount of duty free items they can buy, and which countries these regulations apply to. This page should make things clearer for you.Let's start by clarifying the difference between Duty Free & Tax Free shopping. The following items are classed as Duty Free:Liquor & Alcohol,Tobacco,Pure Perfume. All Remaining items are classed as Tax Free. The Laws governing Tax and Duty can be quite complex and are subject to change, but generally speaking they are divided into two categories. Travelling to and from countries within the European Union, and to other countries outside the Union: What Countries are in the European Union? Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Irish Republic, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom (but not the Channel Islands). What can I bring in to the UK if I am returning from any one of the European Countries as listed in the Union? When you are travelling from any one of the European Union Countries as listed above, you do not have to pay any tax or customs duty on any goods you have brought in any of the above listed European country. The only other proviso is that all the goods you purchased are transported by you and had the tax included when you purchased them and they are solely for your own use and consumption and not for resale. This does include gifts, but does not include any item that is intended to be used as payment or to be resold. Abolition of duty-free goods within the EU The Law changed on July 1, 1999 and these changes came into force which limited what you could bring in from outside the European Union without paying any Tax. It lifted the allowances for goods brought in from member European Union countries and has permitted you to bring in a lot more duty free goods. There are transitional rules in place for visitors returning to one of the original 15 EU countries from one of the other new EU countries. But for the original 15, plus Cyprus and Malta, there are no limits imposed on importing tobacco and alcohol products from one EU country to another. Travellers should be aware that they may be required to prove at customs that the goods purchased are for personal use only. Member Union Countries may follow the EU's guide levels of goods. Note: Goods obtained duty and tax paid in the EU are unlimited. However, it is wise not to think you can bring in a transit van loaded up to the roof, as undoubtedly you will be stopped by Customs officers and questioned about the volume and you really have to convince the officers you are going to use the goods for personal consumption. There is a general limit of goods within the EU member states that they consider to be "acceptable" for personal use. This should be used as a guide, not a rule, and it would be wiser for you to keep your goods under these arbitrary guide line limits.
Many travellers tried it on and many such travellers were caught, questioned and had to pay the duty. As alcohol and tobacco products are cheaper on the European Continent, it was tempting for opportunists to travel back with large volumes for goods at lower prices in an attempt to resell to Pubs and Clubs and Restaurants for a quick buck. This has been witnessed even recently, but be warned the UK Customs Officers are out to get any one who they believe to be bringing in goods for resale and you should be sensible about the volume of goods you purchase. What am I permitted to bring in to the UK from countries OUTSIDE of European Union Countries? You are currently only permitted to bring in to the UK, without having to declare and pay customs duty, from any country outside of the European Countries as listed above, as long as you accompany the items and they are NOT for resale. For any one aged 17 or over you will not pay customs duty as long as you do not exceed the following maximums:
Prohibited items that you are NOT permitted to bring into the UK are:
Written on: 20th July 2007 |
|
|
© 2006-2007 Electronic Mind Ltd. All rights reserved. |