HMRC: Tobacco Advice for Travellers.
- 15 September 2011 17:57126607I seem to remember we did have some query about this recently, here is the official notification just in from Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs direct. Many thanks to them.
Advice for South East travellers
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Travellers from the South East bringing tobacco and cigarettes into the UK from the EU are reminded that Minimum Indicative Levels (MILs) are changing on 1 October 2011. On that date, the MILs will be reduced to 800 cigarettes and 1 kg of hand-rolling tobacco, aligning the UK with levels elsewhere in Europe.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) spokesperson Bob Gaiger said:
"Law-abiding individuals who genuinely import goods for their own use will not be affected. This change will only affect individuals who are abusing the current limits to avoid paying excise duty on tobacco products which are subsequently resold."
Travellers can pick up the UK Border Agency leaflet "Travelling to the UK (Notice 1)" detailing the change at UK ports and airports from 1 October.
Further details of Traveller's Allowances can be viewed on the HMRC and UKBA websites.
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EXTRA NOTE: Latest available estimates for 2008/09 show revenue losses from illicit cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco were approximately £2.2bn.
also
The UK minimum indicative levels are currently set at 3,200 cigarettes and 3kg of hand-rolling tobacco (HRT). Most EU Member States have minimum indicative levels set at 800 cigarettes and 1kg of hand-rolling tobacco.email: dover7@msn.com - 15 September 2011 18:10126612Good news for the ferry companies as the bootleggers will return in their droves to do multiple runs. Even the towns BnB's and pubs should benefit. Runners had turned their attention to the Middle East where duty free is still available at very very low prices at the airports..Dubai Doha etc.Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter) - 15 September 2011 18:12126614It is quite a cut to the amounts. Quite a drop. But..Would it pay for bootleggers to do multiple runs Marek?email: dover7@msn.com
- 15 September 2011 18:18126617PaulB
I don't know how much a day trip is these days but if its a nugget a trip it could well be worth it.Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter) - 15 September 2011 18:47126620you can do a day trip for a pound any time, i don't see why they have reduced the levels though.
the price differentials in france are so little nowadays that it is just a minor saving for the genuine shopper certainly no margin for selling on. - 15 September 2011 18:48126621What about Belgium? that used to be a lot cheaper.Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter) - 15 September 2011 18:55126623i think it is cheaper for hand rolling tobacco but more travel costs equalize things out.
- Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
15 September 2011 19:41126626howard,if you use drum hand rolling tobacco as a bench mark,belgium price last time i looked £42.pound for a carton of ten.
if 4 of you travel by car/ferry etc,and split the costs of the ticket/petrol then evans out quite resonable. - 15 September 2011 21:50126640£17.00 ON P&O £19 ON DFDS go to Dunkirk only 15mins up to the border £38 to £42 for hand rolling tobacco £29.00 To £38.00 for Cigs still cheaper than France and England when this Gov stops forcing people to go to Belgium for there Tobacco goods by having such a high Vat. if that came down to the Level of Belgium and other EU countries then there would be no need to go.
- Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,709
15 September 2011 22:39126643It is not the VAT that is the issue as it is 21% in both Belgium & France
The issue is excise duty"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi