Bringing cigarettes home from fuertaventura

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squarehead94

squarehead94

squarehead94

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Hi all.

I know the limit is 250g of tobacco, wondered what the law is though on bringing back 'used' tobacco - eg take my 250g box back, and buy a tobbaco tin and throw another 100-150g in and dispose of the packets, leave a few papers and filters in the tin. I just wasn't sure if they could prove that tobacco was purchased duty free or not.

If my idea isn't plausible I'll just bring back my legal allowance, just I wanted to bring around 350g home if I could legally..
Thanks
 
Although customs can take/request you pay anything above your allowance, i usually bring back an extra 200 - 400 cigs and have never had an issue, even on the one occasion i was taking for a random screening.

I recently returned from Cape Verde recently and brought back 800 cigs more than my 200 allowance.

What you are describing is already open tobacco which is of no concern to customs at all as the resale value/tax is nil to minimum.

If it were another sealed 250g it may be an issue, but worth the risk? (i don't know what the cost of 250g of tobacco is where you will be).

Or is there anyone going with you and you could use their allowance?
 
ivrytwr3 said:
Although customs can take/request you pay anything above your allowance, i usually bring back an extra 200 - 400 cigs and have never had an issue, even on the one occasion i was taking for a random screening.

What you are describing is already open tobacco which is of no concern to customs at all as the resale value/tax is nil to minimum.

If it were another sealed 250g it may be an issue, but worth the risk? (i don't know what the cost of 250g of tobacco is where you will be).
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I didn't want to run the risk of sneaking a few sealed packets back in case they are in a bad mood, just didn't know whether tinned tobacco which has no resale value would concern them. I don't smoke in purchasing it for a friend, but obviously I'd just pack the tinned tobacco the day I fly back and it's there for him that day. Like I say, just not sure If this is a loophole in the law or if it is covered. Thanks!
 
The 'limit' is a guideline, I'm sure if you have 250g in pouches and a tin with some loose tobacco in they won't bat an eyelid as they aren't looking to stop someone who has a few extra grams.

I always bring a few more cigs back than the recommended limit as I bring them back for my mum who doesn't go abroad anymore, if they want to take the extra off me they can but I've never had it yet and have been asked what I've got a few times, just be truthful they aren't some 'little hitlers' who will try and stop every little bit extra.
 
squarehead94 said:
I don't smoke in purchasing it for a friend, but obviously I'd just pack the tinned tobacco the day I fly back and it's there for him that day. Like I say, just not sure If this is a loophole in the law or if it is covered. Thanks!
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If you say this is for a friend they may get shirty, say it's for your mum or dad and they aren't reimbursing you for it and that way they won't mind with a touch over the advisory limit.
 
There you go then, if it is a friend, let them set the parameters. If they want you to go above the limit, it is their risk and their money.

Just make sure you get the cash whether you get the full amount of tobacco to them or they lose cash if it is confiscated. You don't want to end up in a situation where the tobacco gets confiscated and your mate refuses to pay up as he didn't get his stuff!

Like you, i don't smoke, i just bring back cigs for my dad - he said he takes the risk and will pay up whether i get the cigs or not. £20 per 200 where i go or nearly £100 for 200 in the UK; i can see why he takes the risk.
 
is it not part of the EU ? Technically Spain, therefore you can bring back what the hell you like within reason #?
 
Efour said:
is it not part of the EU ? Technically Spain, therefore you can bring back what the hell you like within reason #?
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No, the Canaries are part of Spain but outside of the customs union and so the general duty-free rules apply.
 
Maundie said:
The 'limit' is a guideline
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Dunno if its true but I've read on that note that if you are caught over the limit they are within their rights to dispose of the entire lot not just the amount over the "limit" (depending on the discretion of whoever you are dealing with).

Have to say when I've flown into the UK, aside from the biggest airports, more often than not any customs desk has been unmanned and no checks, etc. and you have to ask to speak to them directly if you have some reason to need to do so.
 
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