Duty Free

LiE · 26 Apr 2008 at 19:49

I'm working in Kuwait at the moment, and last time I was here I picked up some cigarettes/tabacco at a really low price at the airport. This time round I have a lot of people asking me to bring them some back. What I need to know is how much I can legally bring back? Are the restrictions outlined by UK customs or Kuwait customs? I'm a bit confussed in this area.

Thanks.

LiE · 26 Apr 2008 at 19:54

I think I just found the anwser:

When travelling from a non-EU country (including the Canary Islands, the Channel islands and Gibraltar) you can bring the following into the UK for your own use without paying UK tax or duty:

* 200 cigarettes; or 100 cigarillos; or 50 cigars; or 250g of tobacco
* 60cc of perfume
* 2 litres of still table wine
* 250cc of eau de toilette
* 1 litre of spirits or strong liqueurs over 22 per cent volume; or 2 litres of fortified wine*, sparkling wine or other liqueurs *such as port or sherry and
* £145 worth of all other goods including gifts and souvenirs.

Last time I bought back way more than that but wasn't aware of the limits so didn't declare it. How I got away with it I don't know.

aftershxck · 26 Apr 2008 at 19:57

Considering how many thousands my mum brings back (not to re-sell), it can't be that hard..

LiE · 26 Apr 2008 at 19:58

Yes I was thinking that, I had them in a white carrier bags and walked straight through the airport with no issues.

meghatronic · 26 Apr 2008 at 20:31

IF you get caught, you do not pass go, you do not collect £200, and you can go to jail (rightly so). That and/or a fine.

Kristoph · 26 Apr 2008 at 21:25

I was so tempted to do this on the way back from NZ, whilst in Singapore.

£6 for 200. I chucked one in each bag, per person. I noticed afterwards they say that you are not allowed to pool them together in groups.

Mansize_tissue · 26 Apr 2008 at 21:42

As far as I know you can bring back as many as you want if they're for your own use. At least, this was the case last time my parents went abroad. I believe they got stopped once before (they did have rather a lot of cigarettes, mind you), but the police have to prove they're not for your own use (which they can't really) so they got away with it.

Oh wait, non-EU countries. Pah, I don't know then... I guess that 200 limit might be correct then.

Rotty · 26 Apr 2008 at 21:44

you can bring 200 for your own use or a gift

you cannot pass them on for any money ( even at cost )

Ben M · 26 Apr 2008 at 22:05

When we were coming back from prague (before it was in the EU) we got stopped and had our bags searched.

We were over, but only by a couple of hundred, it was just my mum and grandparents getting cheap fags, they weren't planning on selling.

They stopped us because we had a big suitcase, that's what makes them suspicious. Also there having been stopped was a guy who had been in the country a day with a huge suitcase full of fags.

Basically don't bring over a mahoosive suitcase and there's a very low chance of getting caught.

aproctor · 26 Apr 2008 at 23:28

Allowances for the EU are non existent, but they have guidelines i.e. 3,200 cigarettes, non EU is 200 cigarettes per person, if you wish to bring back more the risk is they will be confiscated or you have to pay the duty which afaik is about £38 per carton (200).

LiE · 27 Apr 2008 at 05:31

I think I will stick to the legal limit, I can't be bothered with the risk/hassle.

aproctor · 27 Apr 2008 at 11:29

tbh if you bring 400 back instead of 200 they are unlikely to do anything i.e. they will be after people with suitcases full.

dowie · 27 Apr 2008 at 11:55

I know of one person who brought a whole bag full back - there was a small phone at the unmanned customs point to ring someone if you had anything to declare otherwise it was straight through....