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Tuesday, 9 February 2010

Newsroom

Duty allowance rise

  • Published: Monday, 1 December 2008

From 1 December 2008, UK residents travelling from outside of the European Union (EU) will be able to bring back an increased amount of duty-free shopping, following the first changes to customs allowances in 15 years.

The changes have been brought in by the EU to cover all member states with the intention to make duty-free laws more in line with the needs of the travelling public. The changes to current restrictions see the allowance for goods such as electrical products and souvenirs double from £145 to £300. Additional changes include:
  • increase from two to four litres of wine
  • new allowance of 16 litres of beer
  • restrictions on volume of fragrance removed
  • option to mix and match on tobacco products
  • option to mix and match on alcohol products

Changes in allowances

Other goods (includes perfume, electrical and souvenirs)

The new allowance is £300 (previous allowance £145), this will rise to £340 in January 2009.

Tobacco

The allowance remains the same; either 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g of tobacco. However you can now combine these allowances provided you do not exceed your total tobacco allowance. For example you could bring in 100 cigarettes and 25 cigars, which is 50 per cent of your cigarette allowance and 50 per cent of your cigar allowance.

Borders Agency duty-free survey

Less than half of travellers felt confident that they were staying within the limits for general goods such as clothing and electronics.

Alcohol

The allowance remains the same; either one litre of spirits or strong liqueurs (over 22 per cent volume), or two litres of fortified wine (such as port or sherry), sparkling wine or any other alcohol beverage of less than 22 per cent volume. However, you can now combine these allowances, provided that you do not exceed your total alcohol allowance. For example you could bring in one litre of fortified wine and half a litre of spirits, which is 50 per cent of your fortified wine allowance and 50 per cent of your spirits allowance.

Wine

Four litres of still wine can be brought back in addition to the allowances for spirits and fortified wine.

Beer

16 litres of beer can be brought back in addition to the allowances for spirits and fortified wine.

Restrictions and conditions

  • you cannot combine your alcohol and tobacco allowances
  • if you bring in goods worth more than your allowance, you must pay duty and/or tax on the full value, not just the value above the allowance
  • you cannot group individual allowances together to bring in an item worth more than the limit
  • some items are banned or restricted in the UK regardless of where you travel from such as weapons, endangered animals or counterfeit goods
  • if you are found to have exceeded the limits allowed or have brought in banned goods you may be liable to penalties
  • customs officers are happy to help with any queries you may have – if in doubt speak to an officer in the red channel or on the red point phone

Travelling within the European Union

If you are travelling within the European Union you are entitled to tax-free prices on fragrances, cosmetics and skincare, photographic and electrical goods, fashion and accessories, gifts, jewellery and souvenirs. There are no allowance restrictions on these tax-free items.

More useful information

There's more help and advice if you are going overseas in our travel and transport section. 

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