Am I allowed to do this?

Ricochet J · 22 Aug 2007 at 20:20

I'm going India in a week or two. On the way back to London am I allowed to buy shed loads of duty free cigarettes and alcohol? A friend suggested I do so and sell them on. Now, this all sounds too fishy and if I'm not mistaken that's breaking the law, right? If so, I’ll stay well away.

Thanks

Angus-Higgins · 22 Aug 2007 at 20:21

manoz · 22 Aug 2007 at 20:21

afaik, it's only a certain amount you can buy, like 1 or 2 large cartons etc.

Scuzi · 22 Aug 2007 at 20:22

You are allowed to bring back your personal quota for personal use. I believe that you are not allowed to sell them on.

Slogan · 22 Aug 2007 at 20:22

Scuzi said:
You are allowed to bring back your personal quota for personal use. I believe that you are not allowed to sell them on.

Think that's right. Personal use wouldn't involve making a profit by selling them on.

tom_e · 22 Aug 2007 at 20:22

and only for personal use if they find you selling stuff you havent paid tax on then you could be arrested and fined

MikeHunt79 · 22 Aug 2007 at 20:25

Errm, it's illegal to sell 'em.

It's fine if you use 'em yourself tho.

V4NT0M · 22 Aug 2007 at 20:31

MikeHunt79 said:
Errm, it's illegal to sell 'em.

It's fine if you use 'em yourself tho.

yup yup...

alexakasloth · 22 Aug 2007 at 20:33

Scuzi said:
You are allowed to bring back your personal quota for personal use. I believe that you are not allowed to sell them on.

Ricochet J · 22 Aug 2007 at 20:40

Thanks for the info.

mctiny · 22 Aug 2007 at 21:00

Ricochet J said:
Thanks for the info.

have a look on the HM Customs website for full details

.

Hellsmk2 · 22 Aug 2007 at 21:04

I don't think Customs will be breaking your door down if you were to bring some back in and sell them to your friends.

Zefan · 22 Aug 2007 at 21:09

Buying more than 10 of anything will most likely raise suspicions.

Angus-Higgins · 22 Aug 2007 at 21:14

gumbald · 22 Aug 2007 at 21:19

That would be outside the EU, so duty free. Meaning strict controls:

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channels...ent&id=HMCE_PROD_010220&propertyType=document

frosty03 · 22 Aug 2007 at 21:46

Ricochet J said:
I'm going India in a week or two. On the way back to London am I allowed to buy shed loads of duty free cigarettes and alcohol? A friend suggested I do so and sell them on. Now, this all sounds too fishy and if I'm not mistaken that's breaking the law, right? If so, I’ll stay well away.

Thanks

It is against the law to bring back items using your personal tax free limit/allowance with the intention of selling them on. You can use your tax free allowance for personal use/consumption only.

If you do buy items for re-sale, then you are obliged to DECLARE them at customs, and pay duty for them, you can then sell them on. If not then you are smuggling goods.

OTOH, it might be worth your while to see what goods attract what kind of tax. As it might still be profitable to buy stuff, pay tax on them and sell them on, since some things are much cheaper than in the UK.