Just discovered that Customs & Excise are changing the rules on 1st October 2011 if anyone is interested & didn't know!! Cigs allowed are going to be 800 & 1 kilo of tobacco, no change on cigars, beer, wine & spirits. I read this on 'HM Gov' website! Rotten devils!!!
Message posted by Mrs Mushypea on 22 September 2011 at 12:17pm - IP Logged
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Yes just read the info Puddies although they are lowering the limit it does still clearly state there are no limits on how much you actually bring back from the EU it just warns people if they do bring more than the "recommended limit" they may be asked questions as to the reasons for exceeding the recommended limit.
To me it's about as clear as mud!!!
How I read it is... yes bring what you can possibly carry into the UK no restrictions but expect to be grilled about it and if you cannot provide specific proof or evidence that they are for your own personal use then we will take them off you!!!
Wish they would make their minds up!!!
We bring more than our allowance back and are fortunate enough not to have been questioned (possibly due to the fact the ciggies are the same brand!!!) I don't know!!!
Message posted by daveyh on 22 September 2011 at 12:25pm - IP Logged
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daveyh
There wasn't an allowance if within EU just had to be for own personal use or gift. They used to say if you had 3,200 you wouldn't be asked any questions so in Greece they sold 3,200 in a bag that could be hold luggage on flight home. I think this change seems to muddy the waters and it now could depend on the attitude of person searching you and whether he believes they are for your own use or not.
It is always best to have all your cigarettes the same brand as that avoids questions. Likewise you should always have your receipt with you to prove that you paid tax when you purchased them. Also have open part used packet of same brand in your hand luggage.
Message posted by Puddies on 22 September 2011 at 12:33pm - IP Logged
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Ahh Ha! Sorry Mrs M, I should have read it properly, I was just being told by 'other half'!! now I've read it I've realised they are just trying to put the frightners on us, oh well! As you, we only bring 1 sort back & always over our limit but it's still annoying they keep changing things!!
Message posted by Puddies on 22 September 2011 at 12:54pm - IP Logged
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Agree totally Daveyh... the website seems quite contradictory and doesn't really help!!!
I have always though been under the impression that as a rule of thumb you are OK to bring back as much as you like as long as like you say Daveyh you have proof of purchase and you are buying the same brand of cigarettes which I suppose goes some way of proving they are for personal use - although I suppose if you come across an awkward customs officer then you may end up being thoroughly cross examined and inevitably having the goods seized regardless of what you say!!! Although I would like to think that if you follow the above then most would give you the benefit of doubt and allow you to go through anyway...
Like I said we have never encountered any problems whatsoever and we always bring back more than the 3,200 and intend to do the same when we return in a few weeks...
Message posted by Puddies on 23 September 2011 at 11:34am - IP Logged
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The only time we have had any problems was going on a day trip from Dover & they interrogated us for a couple of hours after whipping our passports away from us and we were only slightly over!! They eventually agreed they were purely for us as they were the same brand but half were menthol for me & we obviously had the receipt! It was a few years ago and we have NEVER been on another day trip and wont go again!!
Message posted by bobbo on 29 April 2013 at 7:05am - IP Logged
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